Biography

Rose Anne (known as Rosa during her nursing career), was born in Lurgan, Co. Armagh on August 10th 18861. Following a period as a book keeper she trained as a nurse at the Mater Infirmorum, Belfast, between January 1909 and January 19131. She than trained as a District Nurse at St Lawrence’s House, Dublin, which was the training institution for Catholic nurses at that time1. She enlisted into the Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Nursing Service (Reserve) in June 19152, as a Staff Nurse.

Nursing Service in WWW1

Nurse McGibbon embarked on the Aquitania for Suez, leaving Southampton on the 9th November 1915 and arrived in Egypt on the 27th November. In Egypt she joined 18 Stationary Hospital. In November 2016 she joined 21 General Hospital in Alexandria, and in December 2017 she was appointed an Acting Sister. In June 1918 she was admitted to 19 General Hospital and had an appendicectomy. She appeared to recover but then became very unwell and was readmitted. After investigations she was invalided back to the UK on the Hospital Ship Wandilla. She was sent home on sick leave, and died at home on 6th March 19192.

References

  1. The Wellcome Trust; London, England; Roll of Queen’s Nurses; Volume: 20; Reference: SA/QNI/J.3/20
  2. The National Archives: War Office: WO/399/5187 McGibbon, Rosa