Alice Alanna Cashin, RRC & Bar (6 March 1870 – 4 November 1939) was a decorated Australian nurse who served with Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service during the First World War.
Alice Cashin | |
|---|---|
 Sister Alice Cashin, in front of a tent in the grounds of a British General Hospital in Calais, France, c. 1915 | |
| Born | 26 March 1870 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Died | 4 November 1939 (aged 69) Marrickville, New South Wales, Australia |
| Buried | Woronora Cemetery, New South Wales |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service | Army Nursing Service |
| Years of service | 1914–1919 |
| Rank | Matron |
| Unit | Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service |
| Battles / wars | First World War |
| Awards | Royal Red Cross & Bar Mentioned in Despatches (2) |
Early life and education
editAlice Alanna Cashin was born on 6 March 1870 in Melbourne, the daughter of boot-maker Richard and Catherine Cashin (née Meehan). Her mother died the following year. The family moved to Sydney, where Cashin was educated at a private ladies college.[1] Her father was later acknowledged as pioneer of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in New South Wales.[2]
Cashin completed her nursing training at St Vincent's Hospital in Darlinghurst, before working as a private nurse. In July 1901 she joined the Australasian Trained Nurses' Association. In 1909 Cashin sailed to England to develop her skills in therapeutic massage.[1]
War service
editShortly after the outbreak of the First World War, Cashin was nursing in France with the British Red Cross.[2] In 1915 she joined Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve. She was placed in charge of a hospital's surgical ward in Ras-el-din, Egypt. While there, she was twice mentioned in despatches before being awarded the Royal Red Cross in January 1917.[1]
In June 1916 Cashin was transferred to HMHS Gloucester Castle, where she was matron of the hospital ship. On 30 March 1917 the ship was torpedoed by a German U-boat. Before seeking rescue herself, she ensured that all the wounded soldiers on board as well as the nurses in her charge were transferred from the ship. Only three of the 399 passengers were killed.[3] For this, she was awarded a bar to the Royal Red Cross.[1]
Cashin's next posting was two years as matron of the 400-bed Lichfield Military Hospital from 7 May 1917.[1][4] As well as the fur cape, muff and cap given by Queen Alexandra to all members of the Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve, Cashin's service was acknowledged by the nursing staff of Lichfield Hospital who presented her with a gold link bracelet, inscribed with her war record.[4]
Post war
edit
Returning to Australia, Cashin cared for her elderly father and later was employed as a saleswoman.[1] In 1924, representing the Diggers, she took part in a competition to raise funds for the Marrickville Anzac Memorial Hall. She was named Queen of Marrickville, receiving 75,346 votes, well ahead of Mrs Cruse (48,186) and Mrs Harris (42,369).[5]
Cashin died on 4 November 1939 at her home in Marrickville of chronic nephritis. Her funeral mass was held at St Bridget's Catholic Church, before her burial at Woronora Cemetery. She had never married.[1][6] A memorial statue of Cashin was unveiled on her previously unmarked grave in 2016.[7] Her medals and badges are held in the Anzac Memorial in Sydney.[8]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g Cunneen, Chris, "Cashin, Alice Alanna (1870–1939)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, retrieved 1 May 2020
- ^ a b "A Brave Matron". Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 – 1954). 25 April 1917. p. 5. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
- ^ "Cashin, Alice Alanna RRC (Matron, b.1870 – d.1939)". Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
- ^ a b "A Woman's Letter David John Smart Millinery (5 February 1920)". The Bulletin. 41 (2086). 5 February 1920.
- ^ "Queen of Marrickville". Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 – 1954). 14 October 1924. p. 6. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
- ^ "Probate Jurisdiction". Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 – 2001). 7 June 1940. p. 2514. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
- ^ Barlass, Tim (11 October 2016). "Matron Alice Cashin, finally a statue for grave of World War I heroine". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
- ^ "Matron Alice Cashin's Medals & Badges". Anzac Memorial. Retrieved 5 June 2023.