Matron Lydia SHAW

Yesterday, at the end of my trip, I had the delightful pleasure to meet Judith Jerome, the elder daughter of Dr and Mrs Andrew, along with her husband Keith and daughter Catherine. I have two hours of notes to work through, and only wish I could have stayed longer. Judith has sorted out so much where we needed information, and we look forward very much to working with them in the future.

Here is just a sample of what we sorted out:

This small photograph of a nurse is on the dressing table in the bedroom. David Andrew kindly identified it for me as "Aunt Lydia", and somehow I got the idea is was Lydia SMALL, half-sister of Mrs Andrew. But I was always confused as to why she was not named as one of the nurses in the family.

Judith has kindly set me right - this is Lydia SHAW, life-long friend of Mrs Andrew, and bridesmaid at her wedding. Her biography includes:

During World War II she was matron of the 2/2 Hospital Ship Wanganella and principal matron of the Victorian Line of Command 1941-1943 and 1943-1946. On 14 June 1945 Lieutenant Colonel Edith Shaw was awarded the Royal Red Cross for her service with the Australian Army Nursing Service in the South West Pacific. Following the war Shaw became lady superintendent at the Alfred Hospital Melbourne (1946-1952) as well as principal matron of the Royal Australian Army Nursing Service Headquarters Southern Command (1950-1952).

There is much, much more for us to work through - we very much appreciate the support of the ANDREW family as we work through the collection.