Voluntary Aid Detachments (VAD)
The basic role of a Voluntary Aid Department member was nursing orderly in hospitals, sweeping dust, scrubbing floors and cleaning areas dealing with patient. They were not employed by military hospitals. It was a voluntary organisation providing field nursing services. They worked without pay in the hospitals and convalescent homes alongside doctors and nurses.
At the beginning of the First World War, Australian VADs were restricted from travelling overseas because of the Defence Council. As a result, they chose to travel by their own and join British detachments. The first Australian Auxiliary Hospital included in 120 VADs employed through the Australian Red Cross Society. The policy was changed due to a request from Britain in 1916. At the same time, the first detachment of thirty official Australian VADs left Australia to serve overseas (Australian Government, 2013).
At the beginning of the First World War, Australian VADs were restricted from travelling overseas because of the Defence Council. As a result, they chose to travel by their own and join British detachments. The first Australian Auxiliary Hospital included in 120 VADs employed through the Australian Red Cross Society. The policy was changed due to a request from Britain in 1916. At the same time, the first detachment of thirty official Australian VADs left Australia to serve overseas (Australian Government, 2013).
4 Deaths - Voluntary Aid Detachments (VAD)
Louise (Louie) Blanche Riggall Lydia W F Grant Kathleen Adele Brennan Maud Augusta Parrott (Google Site, 2013) |
Australian women known to have served with this unit
Jessie C A Traill Elsie E C Rogen Mildred L. Davies Effie Garden Doris Grey Ivy Elsie Arden Dora Wilcox, Miss Hamilton Avis Sharpe Nurse Grey F.M. Ewington Kathleen Adele Brennan (Google Site, 2013) |