• Entry type: Person
  • Entry ID: AWE0414

Cutler, Helen Gray Annetta

(1923 – 1990)
  • Born 5 May, 1923, Sydney New South Wales Australia
  • Died 8 November, 1990
  • Occupation Community worker, Servicewoman

Summary

Made a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) on 9 June 1980, Lady Cutler had previously been awarded Dame of the Order of St John of Jerusalem (1977) and Commander of the Order of St John of Jerusalem (1965).

Helen Morris married Roden Cutler (Governor New South Wales (NSW) 1966-1981) on 28 May 1946 and they had four sons. She was educated at Sydney Church of England Girls’ Grammar School and served with the Australian Women’s Army Service from 1942 to 1946.

Patron of the Children’s Book Council of Australia (NSW), Lady Cutler received an Honorary Fellow from the NSW College of Nursing. She was President of the NSW Division of the Save the Children Fund, Vice-President of the Girl Guides’ Association (NSW), Vice-President of the St John Ambulance Brigade and Honorary Colonel of the Women’s Royal Australian Army Corps 1967 to 1985.

Events

  • 2067 - 1985

    Appointed an Honorary Colonel of the Women’s Royal Australian Army Corps (WRAAC)

  • 1977 - 1977

    Awarded Dame of the Order of St John of Jerusalem

  • 1980 - 1980

    Appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia

  • 1942 - 1946

    Served with the Australian Women’s Army Service (AWAS)

  • 1944 - 1944

    Commissioned Officer Commanding Convoys and later Officer Commanding AWAS Barracks 1 Australian Ordnance Vehicle Park Bandiana

  • 2046 - 2046

    Married: Arthur (Roden) Cutler VC (later His Excellency Sir)

Published resources

  • Resource Section
  • Book
    • Soldiers of the Queen : women in the Australian Army, Bomford, Janette, 2001
    • Colonel Best and her soldiers: The Story of the 33 years of the Women's Royal Australian Army Corps, Ollif, Lorna, 1985
    • A Stroll down memory lane, WRAAC Association, 2001
  • Edited Book
    • Who's Who in Australia, 1971, Legge, J S, 1971
    • Who's Who in Australia, 1988, Cadman, Kerith A, 1988
  • Resource

Archival resources

  • National Library of Australia
    • [Biographical cuttings on Lady Cutler, wife of the former Governor of NSW, Sir Roden Cutler, containing one or more cuttings from newspapers or journals]
  • National Archives of Australia, National Office, Canberra
    • MORRIS HELEN GRAY ANNETTA : Service Number - NF436079 : Date of birth - 05 May 1923 : Place of birth - SYDNEY NSW : Place of enlistment - PADDINGTON NSW : Next of Kin - MORRIS DAVID
  • State Library of New South Wales
    • Cutler family - papers, 1909-1995
    • Morris family - papers, 1913-1963

Related entries


  • Related Organisations
    • Women's Royal Australian Army Corps (WRAAC) (1951 - 1985)
    • Australian Women's Army Service Association (NSW) (1948 - )
    • Voluntary Aid Detachments (VAD) (1914 - )
    • Australian Women's Army Service (AWAS) (1941 - 1947)
  • Related Cultural Artefacts
    • The Sybil Irving Memorial, New South Wales
  • Vice President
    • Girl Guides Australia (1926 - )