Early Life
Lieutenant Mary Lillian Cameron born 8 December 1894 in Canso, Nova Scotia to Laura and Frederick A. Cameron. Mary enlisted 22 May 1917 at Montreal with Canadian Army Medical Corps (CAMC). Her unit being No.4 General Hospital (University of Toronto). Mary Lillian single. The oldest of three children. Her father operated a general store in the small fishing port. Her mother’s parents owned a similar enterprise in Guysborough.
Lieutenant Mary Lillian Cameron
Mary enrolls in a Montreal nursing school during the early months of the Great War. Then, upon graduation, Mary chose to serve with the Canadian Army Medical Corps (CAMC). The pay attractive. As a Nursing Sister, Lieutenant Mary Lillian Cameron afforded the rank, privileges, and pay of an army lieutenant, while serving in the CAMC.
In December 1916 and January 1917, Lieutenant Mary Lillian Cameron worked with 8th Field Ambulance, CAMC at Montreal. The experience may have piqued her interest, as Mary enlisted for home service with CAMC on 21 May 1917. Then, Mary spent the next nine months working in a Montreal military hospital. One of the city’s seven wartime facilities that contained over 900 beds.
Mary officially attested for overseas service on 2 March 1918, and departed for England shortly afterward. Prior to leaving, she assigned $25 of her monthly salary to her mother, Mrs. Fred A. Cameron, Canso. On 25 March 1918, Lieutenant Mary Lillian Cameron Taken-on-Strength by the CAMC Depot in England. Two weeks later, Mary assigned to the nursing staff of No.4 General Hospital, Basingstoke, Kent, England.
No.4 General Hospital
On 10 April 1918, the war diary recorded the arrival of sixteen Nursing Sisters from the CAMC Depot. Mary one of the new additions to the hospital staff. It consisted of 31 Officers, 88 Nursing Sisters, and 191 Other Ranks.
At the time of Mary’s arrival, the facility operating at about two-thirds capacity. The German forces launched their Final Offensive in March 1918, part of a plan to achieve a final victory. However, for the CAMC, this meant deliberate air raids upon their field hospitals. Germany hoped such atrocities would sway public opinion in Britain in favour of a peace accord.
As a result of the Spring Offensive, casualties increased dramatically, resulting in a sharp rise in hospital admissions. The hospital surpassed its capacity on 23 April 1918, when it accommodated 1046 patients. Finally, throughout the month, staff ministered to a daily average of nearly 800 patients, principally surgical cases.
Total patient numbers remained well above 900 throughout May 1918. Reaching more than 1000 on several days late in the month. The daily average of 953 patients indicates the increasing demands placed on staff. The situation complicated with ten Nursing Sisters ill and off duty at various times during the month. Although, the hospital Matron, Captain Annie Jane Hartley commented: General health of Nursing Staff is good.
Summer 1918
Admissions continue to rise as staff care for a daily average of nearly 1,000 patients in June. On 25 June 1918, Matron Hartley reported: 60 men from [the] Forestry Corps near Reading [were] admitted to Hospital with severe attack[s] of Influenza. Ward isolated. Two days later, 18 Nursing Sisters from another facility attach to the hospital for quarters and rations… [and] isolated for Measels [sic] and Mumps contact cases, many have colds. Throughout the month, the hospital received some severely wounded, tuberculosis and Gassed Cases.
By July 1918, a reduced daily average of 820 patients, principally Gas cases, Kidney, Influenza and Surgical cases, reflected the German offensive had ground to a halt. The following month, however, an Allied counter-offensive once more generated a rise in admissions. The daily patient average rose to over 1,000, producing a single-day record of 1290 occupied beds. Matron Hartley also recorded the arrival of 21 gas cases, and 127 femur cases in late August.
Diversions
Each week, staff organized heir own cinema performances, and concerts featuring local musical groups staged on hospital grounds. Matron Hartley observed: Bicycle Riding and Tennis are [the] principal recreations enjoyed [by nursing staff]. Thirty-six Nursing Sisters spent a very enjoyable picnic on the River Thames on the afternoon of 9 August 1918.
Another welcome diversion was a steady stream of dignitaries who interacted with patients and staff. On June 11, The Duke and Duchess of Wellington entertained 60 patients at tea at [their] Ewhurst [estate]. A very enjoyable afternoon was spent. Sir Robert Borden, and his second Minister of Militia, Sir Edward Kemp, visited hospital wards on 28 July 1918.
Last Hundred Days
The following month brought more guests. On 2 August 1918, Matron-in-Chief Margaret MacDonald visited the facility. University of Toronto President Robert Falconer held an afternoon tea in the Nursing Sisters’ quarters on 8 August 1918. Four days later, Sir William Osler, visited the hospital with Lady Osler. Osler renowned Canadian physician and co-founder of Johns Hopkins University. Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught, third son of Queen Victoria, toured the hospital on 30 August 1918.
By September 1918, the Allied offensive launched in early August pushes the hospital’s resources to the limit. Patient numbers surpass 1200. In response, authorities increase bed capacity to 1540, effective 9 September 1918. Then, the newly available space filled quickly. Staff ministered to over 1500 sick and wounded by 22 September 1918, and the monthly daily patient average rose to 1390. Finally, admissions, principally Fractured Femur and Surgical Cases, with medical staff performing 186 operations, are twice as many as the previous month.
Shore Leaves
Patient numbers remained at or above 1500 throughout October. Reaching a peak of 1573 as staff performed a record 249 surgeries. Then, Nursing staff increased to 118 to accommodate the increased workload. Throughout the autumn months, authorities granted short leaves to small numbers of Nursing Sisters. Having worked steadily at the Basingstoke facility for six months, Nursing Sister Mary Lillian Cameron received 14 days service leave on October 28. Lillian took the opportunity to tour the attractions of London, before returning to work on 10 November 1918.
Armistice
No.4 General Hospital operated at capacity throughout November 1918, accommodating a total of 1593 patients. Firstly, staff paused briefly on 11 November 1918. A great deal of excitement was shown on the report that an Armistice was signed. There was little time for celebration. Secondly, casualties continued to arrive from the continent and medical staff performed 136 surgeries. Fortunately, there were several diversions amidst the busy schedule. Then, on 19 November 1918, distinguished British surgeon, Sir Arthur William Mayo Robson, visited the facility. That same day, the Hospital Orchestra and Concert Party staged a show. Minstrel & Vaudeville for the entertainment of staff and patients.
Patient numbers briefly exceeded 1600 in early December before declining to 1425. The Thames and Oxford, and contemporary events, the Russian Revolution, offered staff a welcome break from patient care. Matron Hartley described 25 December 1918 as the happiest day of the year spent in Hospital. Wards and Dining Halls decorated and splendid dinner and supper served to all. All expressed their happiness.
Demobilization
Fighting had ceased almost two months previously. Admissions continued to outnumber evacuations. On 16 January 1919, 235 new admissions briefly pushed patient numbers above 1700. The hospital operated above capacity for the remainder of the month, tending to more than 1600 patients. Thirty-three Nursing Sisters departed for Canada by the end of the month. CAMC operations in England were beginning to wind down.
No.4 General Hospital operated at capacity throughout February. Matron Hartley reporting 35 cases of illness, mainly influenza among the nursing staff. Nursing Sisters were prone to disease and infection throughout the war. Though, Mary was never admitted to hospital. By April, patient numbers began a steady decline, reaching 1219, and dropping to a low of 864. The cases of illness among nursing staff also decreased.
Hospital Closing
Patient numbers clearly indicated that the hospital was approaching the end of its mission. On 15 May 1919, only 649 patients remained in the facility. A statistic that declined to 255 as of 31 May 1919. Many personnel wishing to visit France were granted leave. Then, Mary receives a service leave from 27 May 27 to 3 June 1919. By the time she returned to Basingstoke, staff had received notice. Patients discharged to other facilities by 6 June 1919.
Deadline subsequently postponed until 7 June 1919. The war diary officially recorded: Hospital closed for the reception of patients. All wards cleaned out and all equipment turned in. The final 32 patients evacuated as staff commence the remaining tasks required for the closure. Two days later, word arrives No.4 General Hospital is to proceed to Canada as a unit, and not to leave Basingstoke until their departure. Then, on 10 June 1919, the war diary notes: Wards nearly all closed – Ordnance to take every thing over and sell it at an auction sale. The following day, medical staff granted leave as auxiliary personnel complete the tasks required to close the facility.
Sale of Contents
A sale of hospital contents took place during a two-day, on-site auction held on 26-27 June 1919. The following day, 92 Officers and Nursing Sisters are designated to proceed to Canada, on board SS Olympic. Then, the remaining 70 Nursing Sisters, including Nursing Sister Mary Lillian Cameron, are scheduled to leave England on 5 July 1919. Following the unit departure, Mary briefly transfers to No.15 Canadian General Hospital on 30 June 1919. One week later, 7 July 1919, boarded RMS CARMANIA at Liverpool. Disembarking at Halifax eight days later.
Return to Canada
On 15 July 1919, Lieutenant Cameron officially discharges from the Canadian Army Medical Corps. Her proposed residence listed as the family home in Canso, Nova Scotia. Mary received the British War Medal in recognition of her service with the CAMC. Awarded a War Service gratuity of $366.00 upon discharge.
Following her military service, Lieutenant Mary Lillian Cameron continued to work in health services. Then, she finds employment in New York City, and later in Montreal as a public health nurse. Then, on 7 June 1927, married Colin Andrew Chisholm. Colin a native of Port Hood, Nova Scotia, and son of her parents’ long-time friends, Dr. and Mrs. Duncan M. Chisholm. Flight Cadet Colin Andrew Chisholm 534405 served with the 7th Siege Battery, Canadian Field Artillery. Then, joined the Royal Flying Corps. Finally, Colin graduates from Queen’s University in 1924, with a degree in mining engineering after returning to Canada.
Flight Cadet Colin Andrew Chisholm
After their marriage, the couple briefly resided in Montreal. Then, a small community near Ottawa before relocating to Kirkland Lake, Ontario. Then, Colin took a position as Assistant Manager with Macassa Mines, a gold-mining operation. Later, the couple’s first child, Laura, was born on 28 May 1928. Four more daughters, Dorothy Lee, Jean Marguerite, Carole Ann and Nancy Jane followed. The family remained in Kirkland Lake until 1951. Then, relocated to Stirling, Cape Breton, where Colin managed a base metal operation owned by Mindamar Mines.
In 1956, the Chisholm family temporarily returned to Montreal. Then, Colin assumed a Manager’s position with a base metals mining company at Beardmore, Ontario. Shortly after returning to the city where her nursing career began, Mary suffered a sudden, severe brain hemorrhage. She passed away unexpectedly on 26 August 1956. Then, laid to rest in Cote Des Neiges Cemetery, Montreal. Following her death, Colin returned to Montreal, where he remained until his death, on 4 September 1977. Their second daughter, Dorothy Lee, died in 1994.
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Comments
One response to “Nursing Sister Mary Lillian Cameron in the Great War”
It’s always great to read about the nursing sisters. Although they held the equivalent ranks of lieutenant, captain and major, it was never officially used. The proper rank terminology is nursing sister, matron and chief matron.