Edna Nell Doig
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Edna Doig | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Doig in 1969 | |
| Born | 21 June 1915 |
| Died | 24 November 1988 (aged 73) |
| Allegiance | Australia |
| Branch | Australian Army |
| Service years | 1939–1949 1951–1970 |
| Rank | Matron-in-Chief |
| Commands | Royal Australian Army Nursing Corps (1961–70) |
| Conflicts | Second World War Occupation of Japan |
| Awards | Royal Red Cross Florence Nightingale Medal |
Edna Nell Doig, RRC (21 June 1915 – 24 November 1988) was an Australian army matron-in-chief.
Doig was born on 21 June 1915 at West End, Queensland.[1] She won a scholarship for her high school education at All Hallows' School[2] and completed the Junior Public examination with first class passes in four of her five subjects.[3] She completed her nursing training at Brisbane General Hospital in 1937.[1]
Career
In December 1939 Doig joined the Australian Army Nursing Service as a staff nurse. She served in the 2/3rd Australian General Hospital (AGH) at Godalming, Surrey, before being transferred to the 2/2nd AGH in Egypt, where she was promoted to sister. In March 1942 she returned to Australia where she was appointed lieutenant, then captain, both in 1943.[1]
From September to November 1945 Doig was part of the 2/14th AGH that cared for the Australian prisoners of war released from camps in Malaya prior to their repatriation. Doig spent 1946 to 1949 as deputy-matron of the 130th AGH in Japan. Returning to Australia, she transferred to the Army Reserve in April 1949 and settled in Melbourne. There she undertook midwifery training at the Women's Hospital and worked at the Repatriation General Hospital, Heidelberg.[1]
In 1953 Doig was promoted to major in the Royal Australian Army Nursing Corps.[4] She became matron-in-chief and director of the Army Nursing Service on 23 May 1961,[1] succeeding Ethel Jessie Bowe who had just died.[5] She was then promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1963. Doig toured South Vietnam in 1969.[6]
Doig retired as Colonel on 21 June 1970.[4]
