Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Trained at the Melbourne Hospital
Travelled to WA in 1896
​Embarked on the SS 'Salamis' at Albany on 21st March 1900
Returned to Australia
Married Thomas GAWN

Annabella Gawn, aged 70, wife of Mr. Thomas Gawn, of Nerang, has died. She had lived in the district for 30 years. Mrs. Gawn was a nurse in the South African war, for many years a warden of St. Margaret's Church of England, an honorary ambulance bearer, and a vice-president of the Nerang branch of the Country Women's Association.

Daily Mercury (Mackay) Monday 15 April 1940 page 9

OBITUARY
LATE MRS. T. GAWN
The death occurred yesterday of Mrs. Annabella Gawn, of Nerang, at the age of 70. The late Mrs. Gawn Had resided in the district for the past 30 years, and her passing will be mourned by a large circle of friends, in 'both Nerang and South port, with whom she held more than a passing interest. She held an outstanding reputation as a nurse . Born at Prahran, in Victoria, her maiden name was Miss Annabella Emmins, she was trained as a nurse at the Melbourne Hospital. In 1896 she went to Western Australia to join the Rev. G. W. Rower 'Sisters' of the People.' She travelled across the continent on a lemonade cart, which was long before the advent of the railways, to what is known as the old camp Coolgardie. With another Sister, she was nursing miners and dry-blowers, in hessian tents, who had contracted enteric fever. Afterwards she joined the West Australian Nursing Sisters' for the South African war and served for the duration. Following the war she took charge of the childrens' ward at the new Somerset. Hospital, Cape town, and in 1909 resigned to come to Brisbane, where she married Mr. Thomas Gawn.
With her husband, Mrs. Gawn lived at Drillham and Cooran before coming to Nerang, where they carried on business as general storekeepers. She was noted for her charitable work and was actively associated with a number of public bodies. The late Mrs. Gawn was a warden of St. Margaret's Church of England for a number of years, and a teacher, at the Sunday School. She was also an honorary ambulance bearer, and a vice-president of the Southport CWA. Four years ago she had the misfortune to lose a leg and was confined to an invalid chair. She is survived by her husband.
Burial took place at the Nerang cemetery at 2 p.m. this afternoon.

South Coast Bulletin Friday 12 April 1940 page 12