Orders, Decorations & Medals - Aust. Groups

Lot 3696    SESSION 13 (2.30PM THURSDAY 4TH APRIL)    Orders, Decorations & Medals - Aust. Groups

Estimate $800
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $1,100

TRIO TO NURSE: 1914-15 Star; British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19. Sister E.E.M. Doepke. A.N.S. A.I.F. on first medal, Sister E.E.M. Doepke. A.I.F. on last two medals. All medals impressed. Court mounted, very fine.

Together with Australian Army Nursing Service embroidered sleeve badge (some mothed areas around edge).

Elfrieda Ethel May Doepke, nurse, age 31, born at Mannum, Sth Aust; 1st Medical Certificate at Adelaide Hospital, 2nd Surgical Certificate at Adelaide Hospital, 5 months as Charge Nurse at Adelaide Hospital, 4 years of Private Nursing, member of Royal British Nursing Association; Enl.01May1915 in AANS, AIF; Emb.20May1915 as Staff Nurse; to Sister 01Sep1917; served with 1AGH and No.1 Gen Hosp in Egypt, Belgium, France and England; RTA 04Jul1919; Disemb.21Aug1919; Disch.24Oct1919.

On her return to South Australia Sister Doepke was appointed relieving Matron at Port Lincoln Hospital and she then accepted a permanent position as Matron of Tumby Bay Hospital. She served in this position for 24 years and during that time she held other honorary community group positions including Vice President of the local branch of the Country Women's Association. She was also a keen amateur golfer winning many events. In February 1944 she resigned her position of Matron at Tumby Bay Hospital due to failing health and was given a well attended farewell by the hospital staff and also a public farewell at the Tumby Bay Institute. Sister Doepke died at a private hospital in Adelaide on 23 January 1945 and was interred in North Road Cemetery, Nailsworth, Adelaide. On 4 June 1950 a bronze plaque was unveiled at the entrance to Tumby Bay Hospital as a dedication to her. The plaque reads, 'In Memory of Elfreida E.M.Doepke, and in grateful recognition of her services as matron of this Hospital, 1920-1944'.

With copy of Service File as well as a copy of a 4-page handwritten account by Sister Doepke of her wartime experiences and also a group photo of nurses stationed at Heliopolis, Egypt with Sister Doepke identified.