NS Evelyn Verrall McKay served with Lt-Col John McCrae in No. 3 Canadian General Hospital (McGill), and like the author of In Flanders Fields, died under similar circumstances later in 1918.
Evelyn born on 24 November 1892 in Galt, Ontario. The fifth of six daughters born to Mark Smith McKay and Sarah Marie Verrall.
Enlistment of NS Evelyn Verrall McKay
A graduate of Grace Hospital, NS Evelyn Verrall McKay enlisted on 6 November 1916.
Evelyn big and strong, just like her brother Mark who had enlisted immediately when the war broke out. Elder brother Mark Harold McKay born 30 March 1887, the second of three sons born to Mark and Sarah McKay. He was a banker, and had enlisted with the First Contingent in August of 1914.
Already overseas, Bombardier Mark Harold McKay, 1st DAC, Canadian Field Artillery, had been wounded a year before Evelyn enlisted in November of 1915.
NS McKay served at Base Hospital and the Exhibition Camp (Milty, Toronto), before proceeding overseas on 9 December 1916. Her brother, now Lieutenant Mark Harold McKay, had received his Commission in the CFA the previous month.
England
Evelyn remained in England for six months working at the Moore Barracks Hospital in Shorncliffe.
Bottom – Nurses’ Residence, Somerset Barracks, Shorncliffe
France
NS McKay left for France on 25 August 1917, stationed at No. 3 Canadian General Hospital, Boulogne.
On 25 January 1918, Lieut-Col McCrae, seriously ill, transferred to No 14 British General Hospital for Officers. He died early on 28 January 1918 from double pneumonia and meningitis.
Leave
NS McKay on leave from 22 May 1918 to 5 June 1918. Evelyn’s brother, Lt Mark Harold McKay now serving with 9th Brigade, CFA, on leave in the UK from 24 September 1918. Lt Mark McKay returns to his unit on 7 October 1918.
Military Cross
A week after returning to his unit, Mark awarded his Military Cross on 15 October 1918.
Awarded the Military Cross. He was acting as Liaison Officer with one of the attacking battalions during an engagement and remained with them man hours after the final objective had been taking sending back information of the greatest tactical value. By his timely calls for artillery ire from our guns he silenced hostile trench mortars and machine guns which were causing our Infantry many casualties. He was constantly under heavy shell and M G Fire and his Gallant Determination and Devotion to Duty made a great impression on all around him.
London Gazette No 50950
NS Evelyn Verrall McKay ill with Influenza
Nursing Sister E V McKay evacuated to No. 14 General Hospital (Wimereux) with influenza on the 25th, and on the 29 October 1918, news arrived that she was seriously ill. Influenza sweeping a deadly path. Seriously ill indicated a truly grave condition.
No.3 Canadian General Hospital (McGill) 1914-1919
As November opened at No. 3 Canadian General Hospital (McGill) it became clear that all hope for the recovery of Nursing Sister E V McKay must be abandoned. Reports from the Chateau Mauricien at No. 14 General Hospital indicated that pneumonia had developed and that the end was near. Nursing Sisters Walters and Stewart and the medical officers in charge did what was possible, but nothing could check the disease, and at 11.30 o’clock on the morning of November 4th the patient died.
No.3 Canadian General Hospital (McGill) 1914-1919
Terlincthun British Cemetery
With deep regret Col. Drum and Matron Katherine Osborne MacLatchy announced the news to the staff of No. 3. Two days later, at 10 o’clock in the morning, 35 nursing sisters, with a detachment of officers and other ranks, attended the funeral at Terlincthun Cemetery.
No.3 Canadian General Hospital (McGill) 1914-1919
Despite the nature of the times, no honour omitted. And, glorious wreaths from the Matron and nursing sisters of No. 3, from the staff of No. 7 Convalescent Depot. From the Matron and nursing sisters of No. 2 Canadian Stationary Hospital, from the Matron of the Chateau Mauricien, and from the officers of No. 3. All testified to the sorrow shared by all to whom Nursing Sister McKay had been known.
No.3 Canadian General Hospital (McGill) 1914-1919
Plot VII, Row C, Grave 26, Terlincthun British Cemetery. Though survived by her parents, and siblings, unknown why no inscription supplied to the IWGC for Evelyn.
Lt Mark Harold McKay MC returned to England on 18 February 1919, and sailed for Canada on 19 March 1919. Though not present at the funeral, Evelyn’s brother likely received permission via leave to visit her grave in early 1919.
Evelyn buried between Pte J Duckers of 6th Mechanical Transport Coy. G.H.Q., RASC and Captain Thomas William Rollo of the Labour Corps. Duckers and Rollo also died on 4 November 1918.
Awards
Evelyn’s British War Medal, Victory Medal, and Memorial Cross sent to her mother, Sarah. The Memorial Plaque and Scroll sent to her father Mark.
Lt Mark Harold McKay MC married Margaret Marie Sharpe in 1922. He died in 1958 at the age of 71, and buried in Mount View Cemetery (Galt Cemetery), Cambridge, Waterloo, Ontario.
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