Matron MacKenzie – a duty nobly done

Death or Matron Mackenzie.

The news of the death of Matron Florence MacKenzie, at the Cue Hospital on Sunday night last, came as a shock to the residents of Cue and Day Dawn. Miss MacKenzie, who had only recently been appointed as matron at the Cue Hospital, was taken ill early in the week suffering from gastroenteritis, following upon an attack of dysentery and vomiting, and she became very weak. On Sunday evening, about eight o’clock, Matron MacKenzie suddenly collapsed and passed quietly away. Dr. Clarke, who had been in daily attendance during the deceased’s illness, and was present at the time of her death, states death was due to cerebral embolism, a clot of blood getting loose from a vein in the leg and settling in the brain.

The late Matron MacKenzie, though only a few weeks in charge of the hospital, proved that she was a capable and competent matron, and, though of a reserved disposition, earned the goodwill and respect of patients and others with whom her profession brought her into contact. During the past few years of the war, the late Matron MacKenzie, who was about 55 years of age, was attached to the A.A.N.S. staff, and had made six or seven voyages from and to Australia on hospital ships, conveying the wounded and sick soldiers. Her work took her to England, France, and Egypt during her time on active service.

Grave of Florence MacKenzie – Cue Cemetery – War Grave – Photo Find A Grave

The funeral took place from the hospital on Tuesday morning and was largely attended, including Mrs. L. L. Crockett, Miss Crockett, and Mrs. Stewart, and Dr. Clarke and members of the hospital committee, and Mr. T. Treloar representing the returned soldiers. The coffin bearers were Messrs. W. S. Baptie, Geo. Gurney, A. Commins, and Arthur Chesson. The burial service was read by Rev W. H. N. Eldershaw, B.A., Rector of the Church of England. At the close of the service, the Rev. Eldershaw made reference to the good work of the deceased. He said: Good people. It is unusual for me to address you at a funeral, but as this is an exceptional occasion, I feel justified in doing an unusual thing. She, whose body we have just laid in its last resting place, was one of that great army of noble women who have done so much to alleviate the sufferings of our soldiers. More than this, I believe I am right in saying that the complaint of which she died, was the direct result of an illness contracted in the performance of her duty on the hospital ship on which she returned to Australia.

She has, therefore, given her life for her King and country no less than one who is killed in battle. Had she been able to have her rights, she would have had a military funeral with a firing party and buglers to play the Last Post. Though this is impossible, we may yet do our best to give her her mead of honour. She had died away from her friends, except those whom she has made during her all too short residence amongst us. Of a retiring and reticent disposition, she, nevertheless, showed by her goodness of heart, and her attention to duty, that she was eminently fitted for the position she held. As we leave her body in the grave, let us be thankful for duty nobly done, let us try to profit by her example, and let us pray that her soul may, by the mercy of God, rest in peace!

Cue Cemetery Entry

MacKENZIE Florence — 55 yrs, Anglican section, Loc B-4-2, bur 21 Jan 1919, the cause of her death was deemed to be a cerebral embolism following an earlier attack of a gastro type illness for which she was admitted to the Cue Hospital where she had only been recently appointed as Matron, prior to that she had been with the AANS on active WW1 service in various hospital ships taking soldiers to/from England/France and Egypt, this service was initially on HMAS Kanowna, she had worked at the hospital for only a few weeks. Reg: Murchison 4/1919. Buried at Cue Cemetery.

Florence MacKenzie’s War Service Record:

Staff Nurse  – A.A.N.S ‘Australian Army Nursing Service’
Next of kin –  K MacKENZIE of Conan, Russine, Scotland
Occupation prior to enlisting Nurse, Sale Gippsland VIC
Enlisted 11 November 1915
Embarked 18 November 1915 from Fremantle WA per ‘Orsova’
Aged 38 years Served in Egypt, England & France
Also served in hospital ship ‘Kanowna’ on voyages to Australia
Appointment terminated 16 November 1917
Died 19 January 1919
Buried Cue-Day Dawn Cemetery, WA
Her death was possibly a result of her being gassed.
Nurse MacKenzie was due to be married in Australia.

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