WALLACE, AM

Nursing Service in the Boer War

Nurse AM WALLACE was locally employed caring for the sick and wounded during the Boer War.

The Queen's South Africa Medal Roll notes: Left on August 22, 1900 to join Melaburg Nursing Staff

After Military Service

"SIEGE OF KIMBERLEY. EXPERIENCES OF A NURSE. Sister Wallace, of the nursing staff of the Kimberley ,Hospital, who travel led to Hobart in the troopship Harlech Castle, arrived in Launceston on Satur day. During a chat with an "Examiner" representative yesterday, Miss Wallace stated that she was a native of Africa, and for seven years was engaged at the Kimlberley Hospital, where she was throughout the siege, which commenced on October 14. The hospital was managed by two house surgeons, Drs. Russell and Shields, and a staff of 42, and there were three operating theatres, which had to be increased to five. Fever and dysentery were very prevalent, and there were more deaths from disease than from wounds. Several of the nurses also fell victims to fever, and two died. Assistance could not be obtained, and the nursing staff was much overworked. During the siege Sister Wallace witnessed many gruesome sights. One of the cases that came under notice was particularly heartrending. A woman with her three children was admitted to the hospital suffering from wounds caused by bursting shells. The mother lost her right leg, and one of the boys his right arm and leg, besides having sustained other injuries, but he recovered. Two shells fell into the hospital. One exploded, and did much damage, but no one was hurt, whilst the other shell did not burst. Other shells exploded at the nurses' home. Although three red cross flags were kept flying, and were plainly visible to the Boers, they, however, persistently shelled the place, also the sanitorium, the club, and the mining village of Kenilworth, their principal object being to try and kill Mr. Cecil Rhodes. This gentleman, of whom Sister Wallace spoke in high terms of praise, visited the hospital two and three times a day, and went about all over Kimberley not taking the least precaution, but the Boers failed to make a target of him. The Australian soldiers and the English Tommies who were treated at the hospital exhibited great courage, and stood the pain of their wounds well, but the Boers who were treated were quite different, and some of them used to cry like children. One Boer who was in Sister Wallace's ward. suffering from a wound, said he was shot by one of his own countrymen, whose shooting was very bad. These men, who could not speak English, were very pleased at the treatment they received. The hospital has a splendid reputation all through South Africa. Sister Wallace required a rest, and was granted six months' leave. She left Kimberley at the end of August, and was accorded permission to come to Australia in charge of two invalided warrant officers for New South Wales, who had been wounded through their horses falling on them, the British Government paying her expenses each way. Sister Wallace will remain in Launceston for a month or two, and then return to South Africa, and will probably enter the Buluwayo Hospital."