Ella Jane Tucker
(Anzac centenary, 2017)
The nurses that played a role in assisting the soldiers with their various injuries are often forgotten and few remember them. It is undeniable, that Sister Ella Tucker, an Australian nurse, showed many traits of courage and bravery during her service.
Ella Jane Tucker was born on the 16th of February 1886 in Derby, Tasmania. She and her twin, Ida, were the eldest of six children born to William Thomas Tucker and Marion Sarah Tucker (nee Button.) Ella lived in Derby, where her family owned a general store (Australian War Memorial, 2017).
Ella trained to be a nurse at Launceston General Hospital between 1907 and 1911, graduating on the 18th of September 1911. She then studied midwifery in Melbourne and later returned to Launceston General Hospital. Sister Ella enlisted in Melbourne with the AANS shortly after the outbreak of World War I. She was one of the first nurses from Tasmania to enlist (Australian War Memorial, 2017).
Map of Derby, Tasmania
(Google Maps, 2017)
On the 5th of December 1914, Sister Ella Tucker travelled from Melbourne on the HMAT Kyarra ship and whilst on board the sisters and nurses were taught by doctors who had experience in serving in the Boer War. The content of these lessons included constructing the Liston Splint (Amputation of the leg), treatment of bullet wounds, morphine dosages, crepe bandage preparation and, the treatment of sepsis and gas gangrene.
After arriving in Alexandria, Egypt, Ella travelled to Cairo and was assigned to the 2nd Australian General Hospital. Soon after, she was transferred to the HMHS Gascon ship.
The ship approached ANZAC Cove in the early morning. Troops then moved to small boats and headed towards the beach. The Turkish troops opened fire on the approaching boats. The first troops attempted to reach the cliffs, but many were injured or were killed (WW1 Memorial and Life story, 2017).
Sister Ella described what occurred aboard the Gascon:
‘the first casualties arrived at about 9am with 4 dead in the first boat. Patients poured into the wards both walking and stretcher cases, most with first aid dressings and some soaked through’ (Government of South Australia, 2017; WW1 Memorial and Life story, 2017).
Her experience on board the Gascon in Gallipoli, became typical of her service across the Western Front.
In early 1916, after the Gallipoli campaign had come to an end, Ella was awarded the Royal Red Cross Award. It was presented by King George V at Buckingham Palace. Her award showed a high level of skills shown and qualities of selflessness, respect, courage, mateship, determination and bravery. After being awarded, she enjoyed a cup of tea with Queen Mary (Australian War Memorial, 2017).
(Lemnos Gallipoli, 2017)
Ella was later assigned to other units including, the 1st Australian General Hospital in France, Rouen, for a year. Sister Ella also worked at the British Hospital in Cairo. She nursed soldiers from England, Scotland, Ireland, South Africa, Canada, Wales and Australia.
At the end of the war, Sister Ella was the temporary Head Sister of the Australian Flying Corps Hospital in Tetbury, England. This hospital treated airmen with injuries from air crashes, burns and horrific wounds. Following Ella’s return to Tasmania in 1919, her courageous behavior and war effort was celebrated by her local community at a dinner.
Ella married in the years following the war, and her first daughter was named Joan, after Joan of Arc from France. Ella had been inspired by her during her service in France, due to Joan of Arc’s bravery and devotion. She passed away peacefully in 1979 (Australian War Memorial, 2017).
It is clear from her service, that Sister Ella Tucker displays the Anzac Spirit, working endless hours in unimaginable conditions, selflessly dedicated to helping others.
Reference List
UNSW Australia-Canberra (2017) AIF Project, Available at: https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=305174 (Accessed 15 Sep 2017).
IWM Lives of the First World War (2017) Ella Jane Tucker - WW1 Memorial and Life Story, Available at: https://livesofthefirstworldwar.org/lifestory/7644707 (Accessed 20 Sep 2017).
Memorial, T (2017) Sister Ella Jane Tucker, Available at: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/P10680645 (Accessed 15 Sep 2017).
Derby, Tasmania (2017) Available at: https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/Derby+TAS+7264/@-41.1623537,147.7577592,12z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0xaa774077095abb87:0x403c94dd0ddea60!8m2!3d-41.1477748!4d147.8011307 (Accessed 20 Sep 2017).
Ella Jane Tucker (2017) Available at: http://ww1nurses.gravesecrets.net/uploads/9/7/2/2/972296/7738935_orig.jpg (Accessed 20 Sep. 2017).