• Entry type: Person
  • Entry ID: AWE0436

Anderson, Margaret Irene

(1915 – 2009) Sister Margaret Anderson
  • Born 11 December, 1915, Melbourne Victoria Australia
  • Died 17 April, 2009
  • Occupation Servicewoman

Summary

Margaret Anderson enlisted in the Australian Army Nursing Service at Dandenong (Victoria) on 19 September 1941.

On 12 February 1942, three days before the fall of Singapore, the freighter, Empire Star sailed from Singapore Harbour. The ship which normally had an allocation of space for 20 passengers was carrying over 2100 people. While on route to Batavia the ship came under enemy fire and received three direct hits. During one of the raids two of the Australian nursing staff on board, Sisters Margaret Anderson and Vera Torney, came on deck to attend to the wounded. They protected their patients by covering them with their bodies.

Staff Nurse Margaret Anderson was awarded the George Medal on 22 September 1942 for her bravery when the ship was attacked by enemy aircraft. Staff Nurse Vera Torney was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (Military).

On 4 June 1946 Lieutenant Margaret Anderson was discharged from the Australian Army Nursing Service.

Published resources

  • Resource Section
  • Book
    • Twentieth-Century Women of Courage, Escott, Beryl E, 1999
    • Australian women at war, Adam-Smith, Patsy, 1984
    • Guns and brooches : Australian Army Nursing from the Boer War to the Gulf War, Bassett, Jan, 1992
    • Just wanted to be there : Australian Service Nurses 1899-1999, Reid, Richard, 1999
  • Resource
    • Trove

Archival resources

  • Australian War Memorial, Research Centre
    • Honours and Awards - Recommendations for Immediate award Staff Nurse Margaret Anderson and Staff Nurse Vera Torney

Digital resources

Related entries


  • Related Organisations
    • Australian Army Nursing Service (AANS) (1902 - 1948)
  • Related Women
    • Torney, Vera Alexandra (1916 - 2006)