Erica Gwendoline Giles

1889-1966

daughter of Henry Arthur Giles and Eleanor Rowena nee Owen

Erica Gwendoline Giles was born 10 December 1889 at Mount Pleasant, South Australia.

Gwen trained as a nurse at the Children's Hospital, Adelaide and when World War 1 began, enlisted in the Australian Army Nursing Service on 15 September 1916. She embarked from Sydney, NSW and served in France at the 5th General Hospital and the 38th Stationary Hospital and 11th Stationary Hospital during 1917 and 1918 before serving in Italy on 29 August 1918. She returned to Australia when her appointment was terminated in 1919 and then nursed at the Repatriation Hospital until April 1921.

Header photo SLSA PRG-1-9-6

Photo courtesy Observer 30 Dec 1916, p.28

Twenty two nurses photographed prior to leaving South Australia during World War I. These nurses were tendered a farewell at the Edith Cavell Army Nurses' Clubrooms, North Terrace, on Wednesday 20 December 1916. Back Row: Sisters Elsie Louise Steadman, Ivy Jessie Rodgers, Daisy Jane Wright, Edith Emily Faulkner, Elizabeth Scholastica Dailey and Elfrida J.M. Lapidge. Second Row: Sisters Dora Hannah Birks, Florence Maud Tabor, Sarah Ann Lord, Rosetta Lee Rushton, Florence May Laity, Kathleen Miriam Taylor and Doris Agatha Barry. Third Row: Sister Sarah Louisa Copley, Matron Alma Hancock, Sister Edith M. Menhennett, Principal Matron Ethel R. Uren, Sisters Erica Gwendoline Giles and Doris Gordon. Front Row: Sisters Agnes Love, Helen Gordon and Vera Mary Moyes.