Born 2 April 1890 in Nepean, Ontario, Annie Ethel Stinson graduated from the Lady Stanley Institute (later known as the Ottawa Civic Hospital Nursing School) in Ottawa, Ontario, in 1913. She trained at the Quebec Military Hospital.
Note much of this post available in the Anne E. Ross fonds at Library and Archives Canada.
Lt Col Arthur Edward Ross
Lt Col Arthur Edward Ross OC of No. 1 Field Ambulance promoted to Assistant Director of Medical Services on the staff of the 1st Division. Doctor Ross married Mabel Sarah Parker in 1902. His wife would pass away in 1916 at the age of 44. Ross credited with being the first to find measures to combat “trench foot” and the effects of mustard gas, as well as being the first to use light relays to evacuate the wounded.
BGen Arthur Edward Ross, C.B., C.M.G., B.A., LL.D., M.D. would marry Annie following the Great War.
Quebec Military Hospital
My military experience began with military training in Quebec Military Hospital March 1915. After our examinations over we reported to Ottawa and signed up for overseas service with No 111 Stationary Hospital. We outfitted in Ottawa and under strict military orders and in uniform April 15th.
Ottawa
My last day in Ottawa. All orders of leave cancelled on April 28th and told to report at HQ Ottawa at 9 am. Thursday morning April 29th. Our first order was to report back to the Chateau to have our pictures taken at 9:30. At 10 am to line up single file on the corners of Elgin and Sparks Sts. in front of the Russell Hotel for inspection by Sir Sam Hughes.
First Battle of Ypres
Our next order was to join in with the 38 Batt. Ottawa and all district regiments and march to Parliament Hill for a memorial service after the first Battle of Ypres. It was our first time to march with trained soldiers and to music of a band. The next order to have all luggage ready and labelled to be called for at 4 p.m. Next we were to report at Daly’s Store for a tea given by the wives of the members and Senators. There was music and Tipperary, the favourite song of the day and in spite of resolutions not to show any emotion many tears splashed on our sandwiches and cake.
The next order was to report at the train in the old Rochester St. Station to entrain. A hospital unit from Vancouver on the train and the crowds so great the complete unit had to form an aisle to let us get in the train. After on board our friends and relatives allowed to come to the windows to say good by. Early next morning we were in Quebec and at Levis we took on more members of the nursing and medical staff. As well as no 111 stationary Hospital we had reinforcements Hospital units already overseas.
Halifax
At all the train stops people would crowd around the train. At Moncton, a lot of people met us and gave us gifts of cake, candy although it was only 4:30 the morning. Finally we arrived in Halifax. It was cold rainy and dreary. We were put on boat the SS Hesperian about 4 pm and had dinner. Our ship sailed Sunday May 2nd at 6 am.
Liverpool
May 10th we arrived safely in Liverpool. The Lousitania sailed from New York after we did and had been sunk in the North Sea. Our course was slightly changed and Capt. Main had remained in the chart room the last 36 hours of our trip on the look out for submarines The Hesperian made one more trip across and was sunk by submarines.
On 12 May 1915 in London, Nursing Sister A E Stinson signs her enlistment papers. Aged 25 years and 1 month, standing 5′ 8″ tall, 142 pounds, with dark complexion, brown eyes and hair. Examined by the Matron in Chief, Miss MacDonald.
Our first glimpse of England’s country was from the train on our way to London. Met by Sisters (Violet Claire) Nesbit and Cameron Smith. (No more pioneer work)?
We reported to Miss McDonald in London and after ten days sent to Sir John Moores Barracks, Thorncliffe for duty. We stayed in Folkstone at the Wampa Family Hotel and drove to and from duty in an ambulance. I may add we opened the Hospital and so started pioneer work.
Far East
On Aug. 11th orders received for No 111 Stationary Hospital to proceed to London to be outfitted for duty in the East, destination unknown. Saturday we back to Folkstone and entrained 7 am Sunday morning for Southampton. We were put on board the Hospital ship Letitia together with No. 1 and No. 7 Stationary Hospitals. No. 7. Queens. (Life on board).
The Letitia was a P. and O. Liner in peace times but had been made into a Hospital ship for transferring wounded from the East.
We crossed the Bay of Biscay – through Gibraltar and saw the sunrise on the Shores of the Mediterranean Sea. It is a sight I will long remember. The deep blue of the sea the white houses with brilliant red roofs and the sun coming up like a ball of fire. Again I was reminded of school days and committing to memory – A soldier of the Legion lay dying in Algiers”.
The chief topic of conversation “where are we going” and “when will we get there.” We arrived in Alexandria without mishap after a most delightful voyage. At Alexandria we remained on board for two nights. During the day we were allowed leave to see the city Alexandria. “An Eastern City.”
No. 7 left us and went to Cairo. The Medical Staff of our hospitals put on one boat and left us. The N.S. put on another. After about 2 days sailing word was received that our hospital staff had been sunk by a submarine and all lost. That report contradicted. Still sailing but we did not know where. Finally we anchored to another ship to await orders.
To Dardanelles with No. 3 Canadian General Hospital
After 36 hours we were told we were bound for Lemnos Island in the Aegean Sea. Two more days brought us to Madras Bay. We landed at East Madras. I doubt if I can give you a picture of the Island. It was hilly and sand sand everywhere. Coming down the hill mounted on a poor donkey was a native – with chickens tied in pairs all around him the wooden saddle. Skinny scrawny chickens with red & black feathers. Our officers met us at the dock and we saw our Hospital and the tents that were to be our home. The Hospital was situated on an arm like piece of land and across a bridge was No. 1 Hospital.
The only green spot was in the distance. A small white church surrounded by a stone wall with a few stunted trees around it.
The first afternoon we settled our belongings – 3 to a tent.
Dysentery
Drinking water was scarce until the Royal Engineers put in a filtration plant. Our meals poor – supplies hard to get – ships that came to Madras had no orders to sell us supplies. Wind and the rainy season set in. The wind roared like the heating of the sun.
Our patients were from the Dardanelles – dysentery and wounded. Personnel began to get amoebic dysentry. Our matron took sick two N.S. and O.C. also.
The heat during the day was terrific. Seldom less than 100 when the sun was shining. A small cloud would appear and the rain would pour down on us. The sun still shining. The rain would rise in steam from the sand. Our rations included hard tack. After soaking it made a very good pudding.
Laundry was difficult. Natives brought it back dirtier than it was sent. The laundry left in a tent and as candles were our only lights we went groping for it and found a corpse. Our quarters situated on old horse lines. There were a number of Turkish prisoners on the Island.
Matron Jessie Brown Jaggard
Our first N.S. died next our dearly beloved matron. They lie in that church yard. I spoke of at the beginning. Our matron Mrs. Jaggard Canadian born and trained as a nurse wife of a President of one of the W.S. railways gave up a life of luxury to serve her mother land. It was my privilege to nurse her in her dying hours. In her we lost a friend. One who was well able to give us good advice – She was a great traveler. I was also a victim of amoebic dysentery and with other sisters and patients were sent to England in December.
NS Stinson invalided to England per SS AQUITANIA, 21 October 1915.
Taplow
I returned to duty at Taplow on Feb. 6th after being a patient in Vincent Square. Convales. at 13 Cheyre Place Chelsea and also at Isle of Wight Duchess of Connaughts Canadian Red Cross Hospital was on Lord Astor’s Estate. Lady Astor, then Mrs. Astor was good to all patients. Visited them daily. Took a personal interest in all sisters. She gave freely.
To-day many Canadians lie in what was once her beautiful Italian garden.
My days at Taplow the happiest I spent overseas. Every Wednesday Lady Astor provided a Charabang for the afternoon as well as her launch and planned trips to surrounding estates. One day I was among a group of sisters to go up the river to Windsor. She had arranged for us to see through the castle. I met Queen Mary.
Lady Aster gave Parties.
Transferred to No. 2 Canadian general Hospital, 14 October 1916.
France
Left there on Oct 17th for France. Life again was different. Winter of 1917 – cold and shortage times in the Wards – Each two sisters allowed 1 bucket of coal a week. Fires laid and after duty we lighted them. Many times the sisters from 2 rooms would combine the coal and so have a better fire.
Xmas came and of course we received parcels from home and with the aid of the Red X we managed to make Xmas a happy time for our patients. Xmas night we had a tree in our mess room. The sisters exchanged many funny presents. For a joke my roommate Miss Howard and I received a huge box tied with red ribbon and when we opened them we found a large lumps of coal each. We broke it up and a grand fire for a long time.
Red X work
Time went on. 1917 passed our work was closer to the front than at Taplow. We would evacuate, receive a convoy and so carried on for another year. [March always meant a big drive]. Xmas again and and we came to the big drive in March 1918. The germans were pushing on to Paris and Amiens.
Orders came to evacuate our hospitals. I was sent to Etaples in charge of 30 N.S. 15 N.S. to No. 1 General 15 to No. 7. I could make my choice and as I knew Miss Campbell matron of No. 1 – I chose to go to her. We worked very hard and slept in tents at No. 1. We stayed for 2 weeks and orders came to return to No. 2. Three days later No. 1 General Hospital bombed and the tents we were sleeping in wiped out. A Miss Wake was killed.
Nursing Sister Gladys Maude Mary Wake
At No. 2. Dugouts were dug to protect us against Zeppelin raids.
On Aug. 1st I went on night duty as supervisor and remained on night duty until Dec. 8th.
The duties of night supervisor are many and responsibilities heavy. Night always brought dread of hemorrhages. Have being the zero hour and most hemorrages recured at that time. I had to call orderly officer Padre in case of death – Operating room staff and meet all emergencies. 36 wards – 40 pts. in each ward. Over flow in tents up to 700 in Aug. Gas attacks – Then arrived Nov. 11.
Trip up the line through the Battle fields. The arrangements of General Ross (Stinson’s future husband).
Return to England
Left France Feb. 10th in charge of 50 N.S. for England. Reported to H. Q. Nurses assigned to different hospitals. Buxton 1 mo.
NS Annie Ethel Stinson told to report to London for Canada.
Then sent to Hospital near Reading – Thomas’ Estate.
Called to London and assigned to boat to sail next day. Sailing cancelled – Strike – sailed in May arrived in Quebec June 3rd – Home June 5th. Back on duty June 29th in Kingston.
Annie Ethel Stinson still serving at Kingston General Hospital, Stinson admitted 17 July 1919 with tonsilitis. Discharged to duty on the 22nd.
ToS No 3 CAMC Depot on transfer from Sydenham Military Hospital effective 31 December 1919.
SoS on 31 December 1919.
Marriage
Annie Ethel Stinson married Brig-Gen Arthur Edward Ross, twenty years her senior, on 24 January 1923.
Brother Howard Lewis Stinson 3322665, born 22 January 1897, enlisted 28 May 1918. He did not make it overseas.
Annie had one son, Arthur Edward Ross born in 1926. He died in 2007.
Death
Anne Ross died 3 September 1981 (aged 91), and buried in Kingston, Frontenac County, Ontario – Cataraqui Cemetery
Annie Ethel Stinson and husband Brig. Gen. Arthur Edward Ross
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