WILLIAMS, Blodwyn Elizabeth

Blodwyn Elizabeth Wiliams was born in Ballarat in 1880, the daughter of Elizabeth and Tudor Williams from Dowling Street. She trained as a nurse at the Ballarat Base Hospital and was 33 years of age when she enlisted with the Australian Army Nursing Service in June 1915. She embarked just two weeks later, spent a short time in Egypt and was then moved to military hospitals in the United Kingdom where she served through 1916 and 1917. In January 1918 she moved to France and served in hospitals in Dieppe and Rouen.

As recorded on her headstone, she devoted almost five years to the care of wounded soldiers. In August 1919 she underwent surgery for an abdominal growth, and after early signs of improvement she returned to Australia but her recovery did not continue. She was admitted to the Caulfield Military Hospital where she died on May 24th 1920, aged 38 years.

In reporting her funeral, the Ballarat ‘Courier’ noted ‘Sister Williams had served the Empire for nearly five years, and was noted for her untiring efforts and devotion to duty under the most trying circumstances and unpleasant conditions. Her coffin was draped with the Union Jack and the Last Post was sounded by Pte. Thomas.  Blodwyn Williams service to Australia is recognised on panel 188 of the Roll of Honour at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

Blodwyn is buried in the Ballarat New Cemetery Private B Section 7