Kathleen Adele BRENNAN. (MiD) Nurse VAD (Australian Red Cross Society). Stationed at North Evington War Hospital
Born 15 November 1882 at Woollahra, New South Wales, Australia to William Francis Brennan.
She embarked from Australia for England on HMAT Osterley on the 27 September 1916. and posted the 18 November 1916 to 5th Northern General Hospital, Leicester. Died of septic pericarditis following spanish flu at 5th Northern General Hospital, Leicester Sunday the 24 November 1918. Her father was granted a war gratuity 7 June 1920.
She is at rest in the Soldiers’ Corner of Welford Road Cemetery.
She is commemorated on the Screen Wall behind the Cross of Sacrifice in this cemetery.
Some notes for her service record -
She embarked from Australia for England on HMAT Osterley on the 27 September 1916 along with 29 other nurses in response to a cable sent by the British Red Cross Society requesting the Australian Red Cross Society to sent Red Cross and VAD to help probationer in military hospitals in England. The nurses arrived in England November 1916, she was posted on the 18 November 1916 to 5th Northern General Hospital, Leicester. She and the other nurses were paid twenty four pounds a year by the government. She served in the 2-3 years in the 5th Northern General where she qualified as an assistant nurse. She was mentioned in dispatches.
Next of kin, her father of Florader, Edgecliffe Road, Sydney.
Leicester Chronicle - Saturday 30 November 1918 -
Funeral of V.A.D. Nurse.
The funeral of Miss Kathleen Adele Brennan the Australian V.A.D. nurse, who for two years has been serving at the North Evington War Hospital and who died on Sunday last at the institution from the effects of influenza, took place at the Welford Road Cemetery on Tuesday. The coffin, which was covered with a Union Jack was borne to the cemetery on a gun-carriage, followed by a large procession of the R.A.M.C. staff and V.A.D. nurses from North Evington and the Base Hospitals. The body was interred in the Soldiers’ Corner of the Cemetery, close to the graves of some Australian soldiers and the service was conducted by the Rev. Father Lindeboom. Lieut Brennan of the Australian Forces (brother) and three of the deceased ‘s Australian V.A.D. friends at the hospital. A party from Glen Parva Barracks fired volleys and the “Last Post” was sounded by R.A.M.C. buglers.
Link below shows her grave marker. Wooden Cross with her name painted in white on the cross.
Photo credited to IWM.
