Grace Wilson

Born in June 1879 in South Brisbane, Grace Wilson was educated at Brisbane Girls’ Grammar School before her nursing training at Brisbane Hospital. She later trained in midwifery at Queen Charlotte’s Lying-in Hospital.

When war broke out, Grace was the recently appointed matron of Brisbane Hospital. In October 1914, she was appointed principal matron of the 1st Military District. In April 1915, she transferred to the AIF, appointed matron of No. 3 Australian General Hospital (3AGH). She served as Matron of 3AGH on Lemnos.

On her arrival on Lemnos in early August 1915, Grace was appalled by the conditions and the lack of equipment, which made treating the influx of patients from the August offensive difficult. A woman of purpose, determination and compassion, she, with her nurses, soon created order and provided remarkable care, given the limited equipment and supplies. ‘At times’, Sister Frances Selwyn-Smith wrote, ‘we could not have carried on without her. She was not only a capable Matron, but what is more, a woman of understanding.’

After leaving Lemnos in January 1916, Grace served in Egypt, England and on the Western Front. Acknowledgement of her service included four mentions in despatches, being awarded the Royal Red Cross (1st class) and the Florence Nightingale Medal, and being appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (Military).

Grace returned to Queensland in January 1920. In 1925, she was appointed matron-in-chief of the Australian Army Nursing Service Reserve. During the interwar years she continued her leadership in nursing – including as matron of Melbourne’s Children’s Hospital and later the Alfred Hospital – and her advocacy for the profession.

At the outbreak of the Second World War, she again served overseas, this time in the Middle East. Illness forced her return to Australia in 1941. In 1954, Grace married Robert Wallace Bruce while on a visit to London. Three years later she passed away; she was accorded a military funeral with full honours.