Second World War Volunteer Letter | Helen Josephine Enright | From Vimy to Juno: Canadians Through Two World Wars | From Vimy to Juno: Canadians Through Two World Wars

Nellie was reaching retirement age when Canada declared war in 1939. Nevertheless, she wrote to the Minister of Defence again to make sure she would be allowed to serve. She did not qualify for overseas service, so she was made a matron at No. 8 Hospital Depot and put in charge of all the nurses at this hospital. Her note is transcribed below the image.

(Library and Archives Canada, R 112, Volume 30464, Item 40149.)

The full note is transcribed.

Montreal, Sept 7/39

Dept National Defence

Medical Service Ottawa

Dear Sirs, I wish to offer my service being an army nursing sister from April 1915 to May 1919. I gave anaesthetics in France during the war and on my return in the military hospital 'Prince of Wales' Montreal and 'Ste Anne de Bellevue', also in the 'Royal Victoria Hospital' Montreal, from 1921 to 1939.

I offer my service in anaesthetics or nursing services.

Yours sincerely,

Nellie J Enright

Royal Victoria Hospital, Montreal

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