Jessie Christina Clifton (23 April 1876[1] – 1 October 1959) was a nursing sister who served with the Australian Imperial Forces during the Great War, becoming Matron in charge of the Western Australian Nursing Transport system.[2]

She was a member of the colonizing Clifton family of Western Australia, a granddaughter of Marshall Waller Clifton (1787–1861).

History

Clifton was born in Australind, Bunbury, Western Australia, twin eldest daughter of Marshall Waller G. Clifton (1849–1904) and Louisa Clifton (c. 1849–1927). She qualified as nursing sister after three years' training at Kalgoorlie Government Hospital[lower-alpha 1] and on occasion filled the acting positions of matron and superintendent of nursing at the hospital. On 21 July 1915 she applied for a position with the Australian Army Nursing Service.[6]

She arrived at 1 AGH, Alexandria, Egypt in August 1915. In November she nursed wounded men from the Gallipoli campaign on the hospital ship Kanowna to 8 AGH Fremantle, where she served until December 1916, then left for England aboard hospital ship Berrima. She accompanied wounded soldiers from 2nd Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Southall to Fremantle by hospital ship Ayrshire, arriving July 1917 Nursing duties No.8 Australian General Hospital Fremantle. She returned to England from Sydney by hospital ship Orontes arriving in August 1918 to 2nd Australian Auxiliary Hospital Southall where she was promoted to Matron. She returned to Australia aboard Hospital Ship Arawa and was discharged from service in December 1918.[2]

Personal

On 18 June 1926 Clifton was involved in the death of a motor-cyclist. She was driving a single-seat motor car north along Stirling Street, turning right into Brewer Street, when a Harley-Davidson motor cycle, ridden by 28 year-old Richard Edwin Outtrim, travelling south towards the city, clipped the rear of the vehicle and was thrown to the ground, fracturing his skull. He died the same day.[7]

Clifton was engaged Frank Oliver Osborne, who however died on 7 July 1925,[8][9] and she never married.

Recognition

Clifton was awarded the MBE in the King's Birthday honours list, 1950, in recognition of her service in both World Wars.[10]

Notes

  1. ↑ Sister Edith Maude "Edie" Clifton was a fellow-trainee.[3] She was born in Invercargill, New Zealand to William Edward Clifton and Emma Clifton née Willcocks. W. E. Clifton was the eldest son of William Carmalt Clifton,[4] so they were something like second cousins. She was in charge of a maternity hospital in South Perth. In 1912 she was required to accompany a German patient to Nuremberg and with the onset of hostilities was held there as a Prisoner of War, and not released until after the Armistice. She later worked at the M.C.L. (Ministering Children's League) convalescent home, Cottesloe Beach. She died on 1 March 1935, and her remains interred at the Karrakatta Cemetery.[5]

References

  1. ↑ "Family Notices". The Inquirer and Commercial News. Vol. XXXVI, no. 2, 588. Western Australia. 26 April 1876. p. 2. Retrieved 6 May 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. 1 2 "Anzac heroes: Jessie Christina Clifton". City of Bunbury. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  3. ↑ "Chats with the Cats". The Sun (Perth). No. 456. Western Australia. 28 July 1907. p. 7. Retrieved 6 May 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ↑ "Family Notices". The Herald (Fremantle). Vol. XII, no. 39. Western Australia. 5 October 1878. p. 3. Retrieved 6 May 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ↑ "Obituary". The Swan Leader. Vol. VI, no. 14. Western Australia. 5 April 1935. p. 1. Retrieved 6 May 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. ↑ "AANS Questionnaire". National Archives of Australia. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  7. ↑ "Motor Hog Rides to Death". Nor-west Echo. Vol. 15, no. 775. Western Australia. 26 June 1926. p. 12. Retrieved 5 May 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. ↑ "Family Notices". Western Mail. Vol. XL, no. 2, 060. Western Australia. 23 July 1925. p. 2. Retrieved 3 May 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. ↑ "Jessie Christina Clifton MBE". Virtual War Memorial. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  10. ↑ "Nurse's M.B.E." The West Australian. Vol. 66, no. 19, 934. Western Australia. 8 June 1950. p. 13. Retrieved 5 May 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
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