A poem dedicated to an unknown female war Worker of the First World War by Arundel James Kennedy Esdaile

I would love to know whose grave inspired Arundel to write this poem and where it was.  In Belgium or France perhaps?

“On a War-Worker, 1916” by Arundel James Kennedy Esdaile (1880 – 1956)


Far from their homes they lie, the men who fell
Fighting, in Flanders clay or Tigris sand:
She who lies here died for the cause as well,
Whom neither bayonet killed nor bursting shell
But her own heart that loves its native land.

From ““Cambridge Poets of the Great War: An Anthology” Michael Copp (Associated University Presses, London, 2001) 

Arundel James Kennedy Esdaile was born in London on 25th April 1880.  His parents were James Kennedy Esdaile and Florence Esdaile.  His siblings were Emmeline, b. 1878, Everard, b. 1883, Millicent, b. 1884 and Percival, b. 1889.  The family lived in Sussex.

Arundel was educated at Lancing School, Sussex and Magdalene College Cambridge.  He worked at the British Museum Library.  In 1907, Arundel married Katherine Ada McDowell, whose father was Secretary of the Girl’s Public Day School Trust.  Arundel died on 22nd June 1956.

Florence Esther Benoy QMAAC

Remembering Worker (equivalent to the rank of Private), FLORENCE ESTHER BENOY, 12113. Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps who died on 26th April 1918 at the age of 25. Florence was a daughter of Isaac Frank Benoy, of 6, Carlton Terrace, Birkenhead Rd., Hoylake, Cheshire. She was buried in Rake Lane Cemetery, Wallasey, Wirral, UK - Grave Reference: 7. C. of E. 19.

Gwladys Myfanwy Ryder - WW1 WAAC

A lady called Marjorie contacted me recently about her Mother, who joined the WAAC in WW1.  Marjorie said:

“About my Mother:   she was born 25th November 1900 and baptised Gwladys Myfanwy Ryder.  My Grandparents had 7 children - 5 girls and 2 boys. Her Father's name was - Earnest Edward Ryder - Mother's name Martha Beatrice Ryder.

My Mother lost her father suddenly when she was fifteen and at that time he was in the Liverpool Police force.  My mother decided to go to London and she joined the army in WW1, pretending to be older than she was.  Her brother, Ernest Edward Ryder, born 1897 also joined the army WW1 and was wounded and died 15 months later

My Mother's Father was born in Hampshire - Aldershot Barracks - in 1867.   According to reports, the family at the time moved on to India, so there must have been an Army tradition in the family.

My Mother first married a James Crombie and had 4 children. According to reports he was not a very good husband and she divorced him

My Father, Arthur Patrick Ford, born 17th February 1900, also joined up in WWI at the age of 17 yrs he was sent to Turkey and was attached to a prison camp which he did not like

My Parents did not know each other until they met in 1929. They married and had five children - one of whom died at birth.

Both my parents became Air Raid Wardens in 2nd war 1939 and therefore, were both involved with both wars - the children were evacuated to Wales and we went to live with relatives

I am trying to find a photograph of my mother in her uniform WW1."

ANZAC Women who died while serving during The First World War

On ANZAC Day, 25th April 2018, here is the list of Female Casualties of the First World War from Australia and New Zealand from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission:

AUSTRALIAN

ADELAIDE (WEST TERRACE) CEMETERY, South Australia, Australia

STAFFORD, Staff Nurse, MARY FLORENCE. 1 Aust. Gen. Hosp., Australian Army Nursing Service. 19 March 1919. Age 27. Grave Reference: Light Oval. 55. SE.

ALBANY PUBLIC CEMETERY (OLD), Western Australia, Australia

SAW, Staff Nurse, NELLIE, R40618. Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service. 31 March 1919. Age 29. Grave Reference: Meth Section. Row A. Grave 1

BALLARAT (NEW) GENERAL CEMETERY, Victoria, Australia

WILLIAMS, Sister, BLODWYN ELIZABETH. Australian Army Nursing Service. 24 May 1920. Age 38. Grave Reference: Private B. 7. 28.

BEECHWORTH CEMETERY, Victoria, Australia

ROTHERY, Staff Nurse, ELIZABETH. Australian Army Nursing Service. 15 June 1918. Age 33. Grave Reference: C.E. B. 419. (GRM/3*).

BENDIGO CIVIL CEMETERY, Victoria, Australia

HENNESSY, Staff Nurse, MAY. Australian Army Nursing Service. 9 April 1919. Grave Reference: C.E. H1. 24202.

BRIGHTON GENERAL CEMETERY, VICTORIA, Victoria, Australia

McPHAIL, Staff Nurse, IRENE. Australian Army Nursing Service. 4 August 1920. Grave Reference: C.E. ZA. 1689. (GRM/3*).

FREMANTLE CEMETERY, Western Australia, Australia

THOMPSON, Staff Nurse, ADA MILDRED. Australian Army Nursing Service. 1 January 1919. Grave Reference: Ang. A. 806. (GRM/6).

PERTH WAR CEMETERY AND ANNEX, Western Australia, Australia

RIDGWAY, Staff Nurse, DORIS ALICE. Australian Army Nursing Service. 6 January 1919. Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Ridgway, of Wolseley, South Australia. Grave Reference: NC1. 7.

QUARANTINE STATION, WOODMAN POINT, Western Australia, Australia

O'KANE, Staff Nurse, ROSA. Australian Army Nursing Service. 21 December 1918. Age 28. Daughter of Mrs. J. E. O'Kane, of Charters Towers, Queensland. Grave Reference: (GRM/6).

ROOKWOOD NECROPOLIS, SYDNEY, New South Wales, Australia

NUGENT, Staff Nurse, LILY. Australian Army Nursing Service. 21 February 1918. Grave Reference: R.C. L. 962.

STIRLING DISTRICT CEMETERY, South Australia, Australia

ATKINSON, Staff Nurse, BLANCHE. Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service. 9 December 1916. Age 38. Grave Reference: General Section Grave 177/178

SWANWATER WEST GENERAL CEMETERY, Victoria, Australia

GREWAR, Sister, GERTRUDE AGNES. Australian Army Nursing Service. 24 May 1921. Grave Reference: Pres. B. 54.

SYDNEY (WAVERLEY) GENERAL CEMETERY, New South Wales, Australia

PORTER, Sister, KATHERINE AGNES LAWRENCE. R R C, Mentioned in Despatches. Australian Army Nursing Service. 16 July 1919. Grave Reference: R.C. Vault. 16. 649A. (GRM/2*).

CAIRO WAR MEMORIAL CEMETERY, Egypt

BICKNELL, Staff Nurse, LOUISA ANNIE. 1st General Hosp., Australian Army Nursing Service. Died of sickness, 25 June 1915. Daughter of Mrs. Eliza Bicknell, of 205, Longridge St., Abbotsford, Victoria. Grave Reference: B. 306.

MOWBRAY, Staff Nurse, NORMA VIOLET. Australian Army Nursing Service. Died of pneumonia, 21 January 1916. Age 32. Daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Barclay Mowbray, of Longville, Dickson St., Eagle Junction, Queensland. Born at St. George, Queensland. Grave Reference: D. 271.

ISMAILIA WAR MEMORIAL CEMETERY, Egypt

WATSON, Staff Nurse, BEATRICE MIDDLETON. Australian Army Nursing Service, attd. 1st Aust. Stat. Hosp.. Died of sickness, 2 June 1916. Age 34. Daughter of William Galley Watson and Jane Ada Watson, of Middleton, Kooyong Rd., Elsternwick, Victoria. Born at Elsternwick. Grave Reference: B. 67.

LILLE SOUTHERN CEMETERY, Nord, France

MOORHOUSE, Sister, EDITH ANN. Australian Army Nursing Service. Died of sickness, 24 November 1918. Age 33. Daughter of Frederick and Deborah Moorhouse. Born at Undera, Victoria, Australia. Grave Reference: I. C. 25.

ST. SEVER CEMETERY, ROUEN, Seine-Maritime, France

KNOX, Sister, HILDA MARY. Australian Army Nursing Service. Died of sickness, 17 February 1917. Age 33. Daughter of James and Isabella Knox, of Benalla, Victoria, Australia. Grave Reference: Officers, B. 4. 10.

RIGGALL, Member, LOUISA. Australian Red Cross Society. Died of hoemorrage, 31 August 1918. Grave Reference: Officers, B. 3. 1.

WIMEREUX COMMUNAL CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France

WILSON, Sister, MYRTLE ELIZABETH. Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service. Died of pneumonia, 23 December 1915. Age 38. Daughter of Andrew Stevens Wilson and Catherine Wilson, of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Left Queensland for Nursing Service, April, 1915. Grave Reference: III. M. 1.

MIKRA BRITISH CEMETERY, KALAMARIA, Greece

MUNRO, Sister, GERTRUDE EVELYN. Australian Army Nursing Service. Died of sickness, 10 September 1918. Age 36. Daughter of Mr. A. B. and Mrs. E. P. Munro, of 5, Gillies St., Alfredton, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia. Grave Reference: 591

DELHI MEMORIAL (INDIA GATE), India

MORETON, Sister, LETETIA GLADYS. Australian Gen. Hosp. No. 2 Australian Army Nursing Service. Died of enteric, 11 November 1916. Age 26. Daughter of Samuel Henry and Letetia Dexter Moreton. Born at Brim, Victoria, Australia. Grave Reference: Face 23.

DEOLALI GOVERNMENT CEMETERY, India

CLARE, Sister, EMILY. Australian Army Nursing Service. 17 October 1918. Age 28. Daughter of Peter and Mary Clare, of 34, Lynch St., Footscray, Victoria, Australia. Grave Reference: Plot RC. Row M2. Grave 22.

KIRKEE 1914-1918 MEMORIAL, India

O'GRADY, Nursing Sister, AMY VEDA. Australian Army Nursing Service. 12 August 1916. Grave Reference: Face F.

POWER, Nursing Sister, KATHLEEN. Australian Army Nursing Service. 13 August 1916. Age 28. Daughter of Michael and Johanna Power, of Garrygauge, Piltown, Co. Kilkenny, Republic of Ireland. Grave Reference: Face F.

JOHANNESBURG (BRIXTON) CEMETERY, Gauteng, South Africa

PARROTT, Sister, AMY MAUD AUGUSTA. Voluntary Aid Detachment. 24 October 1918. Age 37. Daughter of Col. and Mrs. T. S. Parrott, of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Grave Reference: E.C. 2219.https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2003452649868322&set=p.2003452649868322&type=3  from a newspaper report about Sister Parrott of 1918

HAREFIELD (ST. MARY) CHURCHYARD, Middlesex, United Kingdom

DICKINSON, Staff Nurse, RUBY. Australian Army Nursing Service. 23 June 1918. Age 32. Daughter of William and Julia Dickinson, of "Arizona," Almora St., Mosman, Queensland. Born at Forbes, New South Wales. Grave Reference: Aust. 57.

KENSAL GREEN (ALL SOULS') CEMETERY, London, United Kingdom

ASHLEY, Member, DORA, 17663. No.10 Motor Transport Repair Depot, Women's Royal Air Force. Died of pneumonia, 4 November 1918. Age 27. Daughter of E. B. and Fanny Ashley, of Woodlands, Longwarry South, Drouin, Victoria, Australia. Grave Reference: 198. 19. 460933.

LEICESTER (WELFORD ROAD) CEMETERY, Leicestershire, United Kingdom

BRENNAN, Nurse, K A. Australian Army Nursing Service. 24 November 1918. Grave Reference: Screen Wall. O1. 198.

MANCHESTER SOUTHERN CEMETERY, MANCHESTER, United Kingdom

GRANT, LYDIA W. F.  VAD – Nurse, Red Cross Unit: BRCS VAD AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT BRISBANE 2 Died - aged 37 - at the military hospital on Ducie Avenue, Manchester (this was part of 2nd Western General Hospital) on 1st April 1917.

Her Brother Chesborough G. F. Grant was in attendance and he gave on the death certificate an address of Whytecliff, Albion, Queensland, Australia. In 1903 and 1905 Lydia was living at Lynton Norwood Street Toowong Brisbane with Emily Mary Graham Grant, Peter George Grant and John Macdonald Grant.

SUTTON VENY (ST. JOHN) CHURCHYARD, Wiltshire, United Kingdom

TYSON, Sister, FANNY ISOBEL CATHERINE. Australian Army Nursing Service. Died of sickness, 20 April 1919. Age 28. Daughter of John and Teresa Tyson, of 18, Blanche St., Elsternwick, Victoria. Born at Balranald, New South Wales. Grave Reference: 85. L. 5.

WALKER, Matron, JEAN MILES. R R C. Australian Army Nursing Service. Died of sickness, 30 October 1918. Age 39. Daughter of Alfred and Louisa Miles Walker, of "Allowah," Dunbarra Rd., Bellevue Hill, Sydney. Born in Tasmania. Grave Reference: 15. H. 1.

TOWER HILL MEMORIAL, London, United Kingdom

McMILLAN, Stewardess, (Saln.), CLARA LOUISA. "Wimmera" (Melbourne), Mercantile Marine. Killed by mine, 26 June 1918. Age 31. Daughter of Mrs. Margaret McIlwraith, of 229, Bridport St., Albert Park, Australia. 

NEW ZEALAND

ALEXANDRIA (CHATBY) MILITARY AND WAR MEMORIAL CEMETERY, Egypt

HAWKEN, Staff Nurse, ADA, 22/123. New Zealand Army Nursing Service. Died of enteric, 28 October 1915. Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Hawken, of 16, Ranfurly Rd., Epsom, Auckland, New Zealand. Grave Reference: G. 125.

MIKRA BRITISH CEMETERY, KALAMARIA, Greece

ROGERS, Staff Nurse, MARGARET, 22/175. H.M. Transport Marquette, New Zealand Army Nursing Service. Drowned, 23 October 1915. Daughter of Thomas Rogers of Beach Rd., Akaroa, Banks Peninsula, New Zealand. Grave Reference: 1833.

MIKRA MEMORIAL, Greece

BROWN, Staff Nurse, MARION SINCLAIR, 22/104. New Zealand Army Nursing Service. Drowned at sea (from H.T. "Marquette"), 23 October 1915. Daughter of Mrs. J. S. Brown, of Waiuatuku, Southland. 

CLARK, Staff Nurse, ISABEL, 22/108. New Zealand Army Nursing Service. Drowned at sea (from H.T. "Marquette"), 23 October 1915. Sister of Alexander David Clark, of Ardgowan, Oamaru. 

FOX, Staff Nurse, CATHERINE ANNE, 22/118. New Zealand Army Nursing Service. Drowned at sea (from H.T. "Marquette"), 23 October 1915. Sister of Miss M. Fox, of Hallenstein's Buildings, Auckland. Born at Otago. 

GORMAN, Staff Nurse, MARY, 22/73. New Zealand Army Nursing Service. Drowned at sea (from H.T. "Marquette"), 23 October 1915. Daughter of John and Catherine Gorman, of Arno, Waimate, Timaru. 

HILDYARD, Staff Nurse, NORA MILDRED, 22/125. New Zealand Army Nursing Service. Drowned at sea (from H.T. "Marquette"), 23 October 1915. Age 28. Daughter of Betsy Ann Hildyard, of Lyttelton, Christchurch, New Zealand, and the late William Hildyard. 

ISDELL, Staff Nurse, HELENA KATHLEEN, 22/130. New Zealand Army Nursing Service. Drowned at sea (from H.T. "Marquette"), 23 October 1915. Daughter of Mrs. H. C. Isdell, of Preston Rd., Greymouth. 

JAMIESON, Staff Nurse, MABEL ELIZABETH, 22/133. New Zealand Army Nursing Service. Drowned at sea (from H.T. "Marquette"), 23 October 1915. Daughter of Thomas Jamieson, of Church St., Kumara, Greymouth, and the late Frances Jamieson. 

RAE, Staff Nurse, MARY HELEN, 22/161. New Zealand Army Nursing Service. Drowned at sea (from H.T. "Marquette"), 23 October 1915. Age 36. Sister of Miss Robina Rae, of 25, Cambridge Terrace, Christchurch. Born at Rae's Junction, Otago. 

RATTRAY, Staff Nurse, LORNA AYLMER, 22/160. New Zealand Army Nursing Service. Drowned at sea (from H.T. "Marquette"), 23 October 1915. Sister of Mr. C. W. Rattray, of Crawford St., Dunedin. 

CHRISTCHURCH (SYDENHAM) CEMETERY, Christchurch City, New Zealand  

THOMPSON, Staff Nurse, MARGARET HEPPLE, 22/486. New Zealand Army Nursing Service. 28 February 1921. Age 36. Daughter of James and Annie E. Thompson, of 67, Hackthorne Rd., Christchurch. Born at Pleasant Point. Grave Reference: Block 38C, Lot 6162.

FEATHERSTON CEMETERY, South Wairarapa District, New Zealand

LUMLEY, Nurse, CORALE. Nursing Staff., New Zealand Voluntary Aid Detachment. 25 November 1918. Grave Reference: 22.

WHISHAW, Sister, MABEL HELEN, 22/371. New Zealand Army Nursing Service. Died of influenza, 10 November 1918. Daughter of John and Katherine Whishaw, of Stoneridge, Featherston. Born at Kakaramea, South Taranaki. Grave Reference: 85.

BROOKWOOD MILITARY CEMETERY, Surrey, United Kingdom

SPEEDY, Volunteer, MISS LOUISA ELLEN. New Zealand Volunteer Worker, New Zealand Reinforcements. Died of influenza and pneumonia, 11 January 1919. Age 47. Daughter of Graham and Emily J. Speedy. Grave Reference: II. H. 1B.

DOVER (ST. MARY'S) NEW CEMETERY, Kent, United Kingdom

MABERLEY, Stewardess, E. S.S. "Maloja" (Belfast), Mercantile Marine. Drowned, as a result of an attack by an enemy submarine, or killed by mine, 27 February 1916. Age 54. Born at Dunedin, New Zealand. Grave Reference: L. M. 16.

TIDWORTH MILITARY CEMETERY, Wiltshire, United Kingdom

TUBMAN, Staff Nurse, ESTHER MAUDE, 22/517. New Zealand Army Nursing Service. 18 September 1918. Age 31. Daughter of Jane Tubman, of 43, Prince Albert Rd., st Kilda, Dunedin, and the late Edward Tubman. Grave Reference: C. 334.

Remembering two women who died on 7th April 1918: Edith Dorothy Pepper from Lincoln and Hylda Fanny M. Maclean from Warwickshire

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission List of Female Casualties of the First World War lists the following two women who died on 7th April 1918:

CAIRO WAR MEMORIAL CEMETERY, Egypt

Special Probationer Nurse, (Military), EDITH DOROTHY PEPPER, 83/P/481 of The Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service.    Edith was born in Lincolnshire in 1893.  Her parents were William Ernest and Edith Martha Pepper, nee Cant, who lived in Manor House, Nocton, Lincoln.  Edith had a brother called Ernest C. Pepper, who was born in 1900.  Edith died on 7^th April 1918, at the age of 25. She was buried in Cairo War Memorial Cemetery in Egypt - Grave. Reference: O. 145. https://billiongraves.com/grave/Edith-Dorothy-Pepper/6728353

EDINBURGH (WARRISTON) CEMETERY, Edinburgh, UK

MACLEAN, Driver, H F M. MACLEAN, of the Women's Legion, who died on 7^th April 1918. Grave Reference: C1. 831.

 

Driver, Hylda Fanny M. Maclean, nee Green of the Women's Legion. Hylda was born was born in Foleshill, Warwickshire, UK in 1879 to Fanny T, nee Harrison, and Eli Green, a cycle manufacturer. Hylda had a sister, Elizabeth M., who was born in 1876 and a brother, William H., who was born in 1870.  Hylda married Norman Henry Maclean, a Civil Serevant, in Coventry in 1900.  They had a daughter called Isabella Una, born in 1908..  Hylda, who was a despatch rider with the Women’s Legion in WW1, died on 7^th April 1918. Grave Reference: C1. 831.  With grateful thanks to researcher Debbie Cameron, who has a Facebook Page - Remembering Women on the Home Front WW1 - for additional information about Hylda, who is also featured on the IWM site Lives of the First World War. 

https://livesofthefirstworldwar.org/lifestory/7669356.

 

 

April 1918

Remembering some of the women who died or were killed during April 1918:

3^rd April

LONGUENESSE (ST. OMER) SOUVENIR CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France

BARKER, Nurse, EDITH FRANCES. 90th (Cheshire) Detachment, Voluntary Aid Detachment. Died of cerebro-spinal meningitis, 3rd April 1918. Age 49. Daughter of Richard and Emily Barker, of Huyton, Liverpool. Grave Reference: VI. B. 5.

EDINBURGH (NORTH MERCHISTON) CEMETERY, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

HENDERSON, Worker, Mrs. BARBARA, 35272. Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps. 3 April 1918. Age 39. Wife of William Hendeson. Grave Reference: G 155.

7^th April

CAIRO WAR MEMORIAL CEMETERY, Egypt

PEPPER, Probationer Nurse, (Special Mil.), EDITH DOROTHY, 83/P/481. Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service. 7^th April 1918. Age 25. Daughter of William Ernest and Edith M. Pepper, of Manor House, Nocton, Lincoln. Grave Reference: O. 145.

EDINBURGH (WARRISTON) CEMETERY, Edinburgh, UK

MACLEAN, Driver, H F M. Women's Legion. 7 April 1918. Grave Reference: C1. 831.

9^th April

ARMLEY (ST. BARTHOLOMEW) CHURCHYARD, Yorkshire, United Kingdom

MAYNE, Worker, GERTRUDE, 27339. Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps. 9 April 1918. Age 29. Daughter of John Thomas and Elizabeth Sadler, of 14, Strawberry Place, Armley. Grave Reference: North of Church Tower.

19^th April

BODELWYDDAN (ST. MARGARET) CHURCHYARD, Flintshire, UK

QUANE, Worker, DORIS, 10515. Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps, attd. Reserve Bn., Cheshire Regiment. 19 April 1918. Grave Reference: H. 22.

21^st April

WIMEREUX COMMUNAL CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France

WHITELY, Nursing Sister, ANNA E.. 10th Canadian Stat. Hosp., Canadian Army Nursing Service. 2 Kingdom 1^stApril 1918. Sister of Harry Henning, of Peterborough, Ontario. Grave Reference: IV. A. 1.

24^th April

ALDERSHOT MILITARY CEMETERY, Hampshire, UK

STEPHENS, Worker, LIZZIE DORA, 20110. Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps, attd. 21st Officers Cadet Bn.. 24 April 1918. Age 23. Daughter of John and Margaret Stephens, of 14, Edward's Terrace, Pentwyn, Treharris, Glam. Grave Reference: AF. 2098.

BRAMSHOTT (ST. MARY) CHURCHYARD, Hampshire, UK

FORNERI, Nursing Sister, AGNES FLORIEN. 8th Canadian General Hospital, Canadian Army Medical Corps. 24 April 1918. Age 39. Daughter of The Rev. R. S. Forneri, of Peterborough, Ontario. Grave Reference: I. B. 12.

26^th April

WALLASEY (RAKE LANE) CEMETERY, Wirral, UK

BENOY, Worker, FLORENCE ESTHER, 12113. Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps. 26 April 1918. Age 25. Daughter of Isaac Frank Benoy, of 6, Carlton Terrace, Birkenhead Rd., Hoylake, Cheshire. Grave Reference: 7. C. of E. 19.