One of the eldest Nursing Sisters of the Great War, Anna Elizabeth Whitely born 22 January 1872 in Manvers County, Ontario. Noted, her next of kin Mrs. R.A. Anderson (sister), 349 Piccadilly St., London, Ontario and sister of Harry J. Henning, of Peterborough, Ontario. Earlier, Anna had received her nursing training in Cleveland, Ohio, and worked there for several years.
Western University Hospital
Urgent representations made to Ottawa in March 1916, with the result authority received to mobilize the Western University Hospital, officially known as No.10 Canadian Stationary Hospital. Lt Col Edwin Seaborn MD nominated by the Board of Governors as Officer Commanding the unit. Furthermore, No.10 Canadian Stationary Hospital (University of Western Ontario), CAMC organized at London, Ontario in May 1916 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel W Edwin Seaborn. Left Halifax 24 August 1916 aboard OLYMPIC and later arrived in England 29 August 1916 with a strength of 14 Officers, and 118 other ranks. At Seaford, November 1916 – January 1917, then Eastbourne, from January – December 1917. Finally, arrived in France 5 December 1917 at Calais, December 1917 – 16 April 1919, and demobilized at London, Ontario in May 1919.
Matron Helena Elizabeth Dulmage, Anna and 25 other Nursing Sisters proceeded overseas, 19 June 1916. Then, the entire unit of No.14 Canadian General Hospital proceeded from Halifax on 21 August 1916 per SS OLYMPIC. Afterward, arrived at Shorncliffe and proceeded to Canvas Camp, St Martin’s Plain, Shorncliffe, Kent. Finally, unit now attached to No.8 Canadian General Hospital.
No. 8 Canadian General Hospital
Organized at Montreal in March 1915 as No. 4 Canadian Stationary Hospital (French Canadian). Initially, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Arthur Mignault. Firstly, left Montreal 6 May 1915 aboard SS METAGAMA and arrived in England 15 May 1915 with strength of 10 officers, 34 nursing sisters, 85 other ranks. At first, tent hospital (VD), Risboro Lines, Shorcliffe, August – November 1915, then arrived in France 19 November 1915. Later, attached to French Army at St Cloud November 1915 – February 1919 and redesignated as No.8 Canadian General Hospital on 8 July 1916.
Nursing Sister Anna Elizabeth Whitely taken on strength on transfer from Duchess of Connaught’s Canadian Red Cross Hospital, Taplow, 25 November 1916. At this time, Anna now stationed in Seaford, Sussex and a quarantine lifted for Cerebro-Spinal meningitis outbreak on 10 January 1917.
The unit now occupies the former All Saints’ Hospital, Eastbourne acting as Canadian Military Hospital, Eastbourne. Then, Nursing Sister Anna Elizabeth Whitely granted leave of absence from 24 February to 10 March 1917.
Sir Robert Borden
Sir Robert Borden, Premier of Canada visits Canadian Military Hospital, Eastbourne on 16 March 1917.
Again, Nursing Sister Anna Elizabeth Whitely granted leave of absence from 17 August to 3 September 1917.
No. 14 Canadian General Hospital
No. 14 Canadian General Hospital, Eastbourne authorized as from 10 September 1917 with 520 beds. The hospital replaces Canadian Military Hospital and staffed by the personnel of No.10 Canadian Stationary Hospital. Furthermore, the hospital opened 21 January 1917 and staffed by No.10 Canadian Stationary Hospital under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel W E Seaborn. Finally, the hospital redesignated as No.14 Canadian General Hospital on 10 September 1917.
No. 10 Canadian General Hospital, Brighton
Canadians took over Kitchener Military Hospital, Brighton on 14 March 1917. At this time, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Adam Tozeland Shillington. Then, designated as No.10 Canadian General Hospital on 10 September 1917, and handed over to Royal Army Medical Corps on 13 March 1919.
Nursing Sister Anna Whitely taken on strength on posting to No. 10 Canadian Stationary Hospital, with effect 29 November 1917. A week later, Nursing Sister Anna Whitely struck off on strength on remaining in England, 4 December 1917.
No. 10 Canadian General Hospital arrived at Boulogne-sur-Mer on 5 December 1917. Three days before reporting to her unit, air raid on Calais and vicinity by enemy aircraft. However, the closest bomb 200 yards to the north-east, 25 January 1918. Then again, raid on Calais, 29 January 1918 – bomb fell in Hospital grounds at 10:50 pm destroying men’s cook-house and mess-room. No casualties.
Another air raid on 18 February 1918, no damage done, though it lasted two hours.
Dangerously ill
The following month, Nursing Sister Anna Whitely admitted (abdominal tumour), dangerously ill, No.14 Canadian General Hospital, 17 March 1918.
Following a lengthy battle, Nursing Sister Anna Elizabeth Whitely died at 12:10 pm, 21 April 1918 in No.14 Canadian General Hospital. Buried 22 April 1918 at Wimereux Communal Cemetery, attended by a company of Officers and Nursing Sisters.
Wimereux Communal Cemetery
Wimereux a small town situated about 5 kilometres north of Boulogne. From Boulogne take the A16 to Calais and come off at Junction 4. Then, take the road to Wimereux north, D242, for approximately 2 kilometres, following the road through the roundabout.
Finally, take the first turn on the left immediately after the roundabout and the cemetery lies approximately 200 metres down this road on the left hand side. The Commonwealth War Graves situated to the rear of the communal cemetery.
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