McGIBBON, Rose Anne (Rosa)
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Biography
Rose Anne McGibbon (known as Rosa during her nursing career) was born in Lurgan, County Armagh, on 10 August 1886[1]. Following a period as a book keeper she trained as a nurse at the Mater Infirmorum, Belfast, between January 1909 and January 1913[1]. She then trained as a District Nurse at St Lawrence's House, Dublin, which was the training institution for Catholic nurses at that time[1]. She enlisted into the Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service (Reserve) in June 1915 as a Staff Nurse[2].
Nursing Service in WW1
Staff Nurse McGibbon embarked on the Aquitania for Suez, leaving Southampton on 9 November 1915 and arriving in Egypt on 27 November. In Egypt she joined 18 Stationary Hospital. In November 1916 she joined 21 General Hospital in Alexandria, and in December 1917 she was appointed Acting Sister.
In June 1918 she was admitted to 19 General Hospital and underwent an appendicectomy. She appeared to recover but then became very unwell and was readmitted. After investigations she was invalided back to the United Kingdom on the Hospital Ship Wandilla. She was sent home on sick leave and died at home on 6 March 1919[3].
