HomeThingsNo. 3 | OEEGA Memorial

This memorial was unveiled on the 30 April 2017 in honour of the 130 ANZAC nurses who served during the Gallipoli Campaign in WW1. The inscription reads:

OEEGA
Organisation of Hellene and Hellene-Cypriot Women of Australia (SA) Inc

In recognition of the women of the Australian Army Nursing Service (AANS) who served during WW1 in

Greece – The Island of Lemnos and the City of Thessaloniki
Belgium, Egypt, England, France, India, Mesopotamia and Palestine

Unveiled by 
His Excellency The Honourable Hieu Van Le, AC
Governor of South Australia
30 April 2017

Australian Army Nursing Service (AANS)

The AANS was formed in July 1903 as was part of the Australian Army Medical Corps. During World War I, over 2,000 members of this service were placed in active duties overseas alongside contemporaries of other organisations. Serving in the AANS offered many benefits for nurses during this time; either as a chance to travel; gain independence; take part in the war effort; or to potentially be closer to a loved one also participating in national service. The island of Lemnos became one of the main areas of service for AANS nurses as it was the location of the 3rd Australian General Hospital. These nurses were often placed in poor conditions with limited supplies, fresh water and an endless influx of wounded or sick soldiers.

Media

Sources

Australian Government – Department of Defence, Annual Report 2014-2015, ‘Anzac Nurses – A remarkable but rarely told story‘, accessed 6 November 2019

Australian War Memorial, ‘Great War Nurses‘, accessed 6 November 2019.

Neos Kosmos, 8 May 2017 ‘The bond between Greece and Australia will never break: Greek Australians erect monument to honour ANZAC nurses‘, accessed 6 November 2019.


0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Add your comment
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments