Inspiring Biography of Alice Ross-King
Alice Ross-King was an army nurse in World War 1. She was decorated with various Medal during her time and was considered a brave, dedicated and a strong leader. Let’s find out why…
Alice Ross-King was born on the 5th of August 1887 in Ballarat, Victoria. She was the daughter or Archibald Ross King and his wife was Henrietta nee Ward. The whole family moved to Perth however Alice and her mother settled in Melbourne after the father and other two sons drowned in an accident on Swan River in Perth. Alice Ross-king went to school and then assisted staff at the Alfred Hospital before she gained her certificate. Once she received this qualification she remained at the Alfred Hospital learning to become a sister, night superintendent and an acting matron. Later, previous to Wold War 1, Alice Ross-King became a theater sister and in charge of a private hospital in Melbourne.
This was her life until she made the decision to enlist as a staff nurse for the Australian Army Nursing Service (A.A.N.S). The truth was that Alice’s name was actually with no hyphen or Ross however it was spelt that way during the time of war so they could differentiate her form another Alice King. She embarked on her adventure on the 21st of November with the 1st Australian General Hospital crew which was to be located in Egypt.
During her time at war Alice Ross-King was at that hospital as well as another casualty clearing as well as on transport ships with the wounded soldiers back to Australia however she returned to the battle fields. In 1916 in July she was sent to the 2nd Australian Casualty Clearing Station which was close to the trenches at Trois Arbres. That month the Station was bombed. This was unexpected and sudden. In Her diary she describes the horror and killing that followed this tragic incident. Her bravery throughout the attack earned her to be awarded with the Military Medal. The citation commended her for her ‘great coolness and devotion to duty’. She was truly committed to her job and duties because she was only one of 7 that received this Medal in the A.A.N.S in World War 1. Another time in the war she was awarded with the Royal Red Cross due to her great skill and ability in nursing the hurt and dying.
After the war ended she married a doctor name Sydney Appleford and married him on the 20th of August 1919. They had two daughters and two sons.
Even though it sounds as if she has settled down well…she hasn't.
Alice Appleford went to World War 2 in the Australian Army Women’s Medical Services. Alice was commissioned as a major and appointed senior assistant controller for Victoria. As in World War 1 she was devoted, committed and in addition she was also responsible for 2000 service woman. She organised charity fundraisers to support Red Cross and other Service charities. She also supported widows and their children and everyone in general.
Alice Appleford was an amazing inspiring person and for this she was awarded also with the Florence Nightingale Medal in 1949. The citation described her character as ‘no one who came in contact with Major Appleford could fail to recognize her as a leader of women. Her sense of duty, her sterling solidity of character, her humanity, sincerity, and kindness of heart set for other a very high example’.
This lady was well regarded in her time and died on the 17th of August 1968, 10 years after her husband.
This story shows dedication, commitment, hard work, willingness, service, skill and most of all compassion and love toward those she came to know and work with in her long life. The quote that this lady reminds me of is...
“live life to the fullest because you only get to live it once”.
Alice Ross-King was born on the 5th of August 1887 in Ballarat, Victoria. She was the daughter or Archibald Ross King and his wife was Henrietta nee Ward. The whole family moved to Perth however Alice and her mother settled in Melbourne after the father and other two sons drowned in an accident on Swan River in Perth. Alice Ross-king went to school and then assisted staff at the Alfred Hospital before she gained her certificate. Once she received this qualification she remained at the Alfred Hospital learning to become a sister, night superintendent and an acting matron. Later, previous to Wold War 1, Alice Ross-King became a theater sister and in charge of a private hospital in Melbourne.
This was her life until she made the decision to enlist as a staff nurse for the Australian Army Nursing Service (A.A.N.S). The truth was that Alice’s name was actually with no hyphen or Ross however it was spelt that way during the time of war so they could differentiate her form another Alice King. She embarked on her adventure on the 21st of November with the 1st Australian General Hospital crew which was to be located in Egypt.
During her time at war Alice Ross-King was at that hospital as well as another casualty clearing as well as on transport ships with the wounded soldiers back to Australia however she returned to the battle fields. In 1916 in July she was sent to the 2nd Australian Casualty Clearing Station which was close to the trenches at Trois Arbres. That month the Station was bombed. This was unexpected and sudden. In Her diary she describes the horror and killing that followed this tragic incident. Her bravery throughout the attack earned her to be awarded with the Military Medal. The citation commended her for her ‘great coolness and devotion to duty’. She was truly committed to her job and duties because she was only one of 7 that received this Medal in the A.A.N.S in World War 1. Another time in the war she was awarded with the Royal Red Cross due to her great skill and ability in nursing the hurt and dying.
After the war ended she married a doctor name Sydney Appleford and married him on the 20th of August 1919. They had two daughters and two sons.
Even though it sounds as if she has settled down well…she hasn't.
Alice Appleford went to World War 2 in the Australian Army Women’s Medical Services. Alice was commissioned as a major and appointed senior assistant controller for Victoria. As in World War 1 she was devoted, committed and in addition she was also responsible for 2000 service woman. She organised charity fundraisers to support Red Cross and other Service charities. She also supported widows and their children and everyone in general.
Alice Appleford was an amazing inspiring person and for this she was awarded also with the Florence Nightingale Medal in 1949. The citation described her character as ‘no one who came in contact with Major Appleford could fail to recognize her as a leader of women. Her sense of duty, her sterling solidity of character, her humanity, sincerity, and kindness of heart set for other a very high example’.
This lady was well regarded in her time and died on the 17th of August 1968, 10 years after her husband.
This story shows dedication, commitment, hard work, willingness, service, skill and most of all compassion and love toward those she came to know and work with in her long life. The quote that this lady reminds me of is...
“live life to the fullest because you only get to live it once”.