Evelyn Conyers Explained

Evelyn Augusta Conyers, (1 March 1870 – 6 September 1944) was a New Zealand-born Australian matron-in-chief of the Australian Army Nursing Service during the First World War. She was its first member to be awarded the Florence Nightingale Medal, the highest award for nursing service.^{[1] [2]}

Early life and training

Conyers was born at Invercargill, New Zealand, on 1 March 1870 to William and Fanny (née Mainprize).^{[3] [4]}

After completing her secondary education in New Zealand, Conyers migrated to Victoria where she trained as a nurse at the Melbourne Children's Hospital until 1894 and then the Melbourne Hospital from which she graduated in 1896.

Nursing career

In 1901 Conyers was appointed matron of a private hospital in Melbourne. A year later she applied for register a patent for "an improved supporting frame to be used with slipper bed-pan".^[5]

Conyers was one of the original members of the Australian Army Nursing Service which was formed in 1903.^{[6] [7]}

First World War

Conyers enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 11 October 1914. In January 1916 she was appointed Matron-in-chief of the 1st Australian General Hospital. Conyers was mentioned in a despatch of General Sir John Maxwell "in connection with services rendered in Egypt". In September 1916 she was awarded the Royal Red Cross "for conspicuous services rendered" and later a Bar "in recognition of her valuable nursing service". On 1 January 1919 King George V appointed Conyers a Commander of the Order of the British Empire. In 1921 she was awarded the Florence Nightingale Medal with diploma.^[8]

Her war service complete, Conyers left London for Australia in December 1919 per Orvieto and was discharged on 7 March 1920.

Death

Conyers died on 6 September 1944 in Epworth Private Hospital, Richmond and was buried at Boroondara Cemetery.^[9]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Alafaci. Annette. Conyers, Evelyn Augusta (1870–1944). Encyclopedia of Australian Science. 25 April 2018.
2. News: Women to Talk About . . XCIV . 27,428 . South Australia . 12 July 1929 . 25 April 2018 . 35 . National Library of Australia.
3. Web site: Death Certificate – Conyers, Evelyn Augusta. Births, Deaths & Marriages Victoria. 25 April 2018.
4. Web site: Heywood. Anne. Conyers, Evelyn Augusta (1870–1944). The Australian Women's Register. The National Foundation for Australia Women (NFAW). 25 April 2018.
5. Web site: Application for registration of patent by Evelyn Augusta Conyers titled – An improved supporting frame to be used with a slipper bed-pan. National Archives of Australia. 25 April 2018.
6. News: Women Ready to Aid and Offer Services. The Herald . 12,088 . Victoria, Australia . 3 August 1914 . 25 April 2018 . 12 . National Library of Australia.
7. News: Commonwealth Military Forces . Commonwealth Of Australia Gazette . 65 . Australia . 21 November 1903 . 25 April 2018 . 865 . National Library of Australia.
8. Web site: Attestation Paper of Evelyn Augusta Conyers. National Archives of Australia. 25 April 2018.
9. Reid. John. Conyers, Evelyn Augusta (1870–1944). conyers-evelyn-augusta-5759. 25 April 2018.