GALLANT NURSES.

Taihape Daily Times, 16 January 1919, Page 6

GALLANT NURSES.

REFUSED TO LEAVE WOUNDED. INCIDENT AT ARMENTIERES. There uro ninny stories told of tic bravery of nurses on active service, but one of outstanding merit has just been related by a nurse, who, after three years in France, and Belgium returned to Auckland by the last transport. During the retreat near Armcnticres, a British hospital, which had not been informed of the retreat, was being conducted without' thought of any approaching danger. It was not until one day a nurse, while standing at the door of the hospital, noticed- " two horsemen approaching When they drew up to the door one of thorn said “Wlhy haven’t you moved back? Don’t you known there is nothing between* yon and the Germans over that hill!’’ As no word had been received at the hospital, the officer dismounted, and reported to the officer in charge the true facts. He at once sent for the matron, and told her to get the sisters taway to a place of safety, the unanimous ~ ls“ • from the sisters* to this request was: “We will not leave here until all the boys ’ J ara safe.” - , . “I am with you,” ‘/replied the' matron, land reported the reply to the officer, who said,“l’ll haye you all court martiallod. ” . '

“Very v til, sir von. get__ On w.y the court-martial and yve/will get the boys to safety,” was her answer. The work" for moving the men was then started. Fortunately there was a train at nail-head, and this was quickly filled with the seriously wounded. Those able to walk set off on foot, while every vehicle was pressed into service to carry others. When all had boon sent off, the sisters .procured an old Harm rvaggon and

proceeded to follow the men they had saved. Prior to the removal of the patients, one of the sisters had her head blown off, and two others were seriously wounded. These two were curried to safety on stretchers by two wounded men.