Elizabeth Beamish - Nursing Sister
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By: Candice Leyland
March 8, 2015 In Honour of International Women’s Day, I would take a moment to recognize some of the truly courageous and amazing women that served our country during the First World War as Nursing Sisters. During WW1, over 3000 Canadians volunteered to serve as nurses in the Canadian Army Medical Corps. Doning their blue uniforms and white veils, these women were nicknamed bluebirds, Angels of Mercy or Sister’s of Mercy. Elizabeth Marcelle Beamish, listed Palmerston as her hometown and her parents lived here during her service. Her service took her overseas where she battled adverse conditions and at times debilitating illness, to help our boys at the front. |
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She was born in Normanby Township on December 29th, 1881 to parents Joseph and Katherine Beamish. Joseph worked for the railway. She grew up in a Methodist household in Owen Sound, Ontario, as the second eldest of six other children. According to census, records during her early years, she went by the name Eliza. Her parents moved to Palmerston where they lived during the First World War.
Before the Wars Beamish was working as the superintendent of Nicholls Hospital in Peterborough for three years. She enlisted in Montreal as a Nursing Sister in the Army Medical Corps on April 3rd, 1916 at the age of 34. Throughout the War, she served in several hospitals in France, Salonika, England and Canada.
Her first post was at the Duchess of Connaught Red Cross Hospital in Taplow, England. In August, Elizabeth proceeded to London to report for Mediterranean Service with five other nurses from Duchess of Connaught. They arrived in Salonika on September 1st and reported to the Number 5 Canadian General Hospital for duty.
Allied forces were stationed in Salonika (currently Thessalonika) from 1915-1917. Conditions in Salonika were poor due to its climate and remote location. Nurses battled Malaria outbreaks and had poor access to water and supplies. The poor climate and working conditions caused Beamish to suffer from insomnia and recurrent headaches. In March 1917, she took debility leave in England for more than two months. For the rest of the war she remained in relatively good health, only taking time off for a fever and two weeks leave in England.
After being posted to several other hospitals in England and France, she finished her service in command at 16 Canadian General Hospital. She returned to Canada in April, 1919 on the S.S Minnekada where she returned to work as superintended of the Nichols Hospital
Before the Wars Beamish was working as the superintendent of Nicholls Hospital in Peterborough for three years. She enlisted in Montreal as a Nursing Sister in the Army Medical Corps on April 3rd, 1916 at the age of 34. Throughout the War, she served in several hospitals in France, Salonika, England and Canada.
Her first post was at the Duchess of Connaught Red Cross Hospital in Taplow, England. In August, Elizabeth proceeded to London to report for Mediterranean Service with five other nurses from Duchess of Connaught. They arrived in Salonika on September 1st and reported to the Number 5 Canadian General Hospital for duty.
Allied forces were stationed in Salonika (currently Thessalonika) from 1915-1917. Conditions in Salonika were poor due to its climate and remote location. Nurses battled Malaria outbreaks and had poor access to water and supplies. The poor climate and working conditions caused Beamish to suffer from insomnia and recurrent headaches. In March 1917, she took debility leave in England for more than two months. For the rest of the war she remained in relatively good health, only taking time off for a fever and two weeks leave in England.
After being posted to several other hospitals in England and France, she finished her service in command at 16 Canadian General Hospital. She returned to Canada in April, 1919 on the S.S Minnekada where she returned to work as superintended of the Nichols Hospital