Ruby Dickinson (1885 - 1918)

Born 1885 in Forbes, New South Wales, Australia

Died 23 Jun 1918 at about age 33 in Harefield, Middlesex, England

Biography

Ruby, child of William Dickenson and Julia Dickenson, was born in 1885 in Forbes, New South Wales.^[1]

Ruby married Frederick E Body in 1914 in Sydney, New South Wales.^[2]

Ruby enlisted as a Staff Nurse (Second Lieutenant) in the Australian Army Nursing Service on 20th July 1915. ^[3]

Ruby's Service record consists of 89 pages, many duplicated. There is no mention of a husband.^[4]
Effects sent to mother Mrs J Dickinson, 49 Spit Road, Mosman NSW (also noted as Julia elsewhere), later of "Arizona" Almora Street, Mosman. Asked about next of kin, Julia replied that her husband William Dickinson had died in 1911 and that Ruby was their youngest daughter.

From the register of cemeteries, entry 27, included in the record:
Dickinson, Staff Nurse Ruby. Australian Army Nursing Service. 23 June 1918. Age 32. Daughter of William and Julia Dickinson, of "Arizona," Almora Street., Mosman, Queensland. Born at Forbes, New South Wales. Aust 57

She passed away of disease on 23rd June 1918 at Harefield, Middlesex, England.

Newspaper Reports

BODY (nee Dickinson).—June 23, 1918 (O A S abroad), Staff-nurse Ruby Dickinson, of pneumonia, youngest daughter of the late Wm Dickinson, Forbes, and of Mrs Dickinson, Mosman.^[5]

AUSTRALIAN Nurse's Death . —The Australian Hospital felt keenly the death on Sunday of Sister Ruby Dickinson, whilst "on service" in this country. She was a member of the hospital nursing staff, and a great favourite. The late sister, who was a native of Sydney N.S.W., embarked from Australia on July 20th, 1915, and after some time at the General Hospital at Lemnos Isle, went to France, where she was engaged in a number of hospitals, and did much good work. Sister Dickinson came to Harefield in January, 1918. The funeral, which took place on Wednesday, in Harefield Churchyard, was an impressive ceremony. A large number of nurses, V.A.D.'s, and patients, were present at the graveside, and the coffin was borne on the shoulders of four was borne on the shoulders of four officers, full military honours being accorded the deceased. Amongst the many present at the burial were General Howes, General Featherston, Colonel Yeatman, the Matron in Chief of the Australian Nursing Service, and the Matron of the Hospital. The funeral service was conducted by Chaplain Majors Perry and Bladen. Uxbridge & W. Drayton Gazette - Friday 28 June 1918

THE LATE SISTER DICKINSON. A tablet, to the memory of the late Staff-nurse Ruby Dickinson will be unveiled at the evening service at 7.15 on Sunday, July 6, at St. James' Church, King-street. Sister Dickinson was the youngest daughter of the late Mr. W. Dickinson, of Forbes, and of Mrs. Dickinson, Mosman. She left Australia in July, 1915, with No. 3 Australian General Hospital, and saw service in Lemnos, Egypt, France, and England. She died in London, of pneumonia, on June 23, 1918, and was buried with military honours in the Australian cemetery in the Harefield parish churchyard, England. The tablet has been erected by her friends and comrades of the Australian Army Nursing Service, abroad.^[6]

Ruby was mentioned on a memorial in St Mary the Virgin Churchyard, Harefield, London Borough of Hillingdon, Greater London, England with a death date of 23 June 1918.^[7]

Research Notes

Her service record once mentions informing a brother S.R. Dickinson in Christchurch, New Zealand, - this seems to be confused with another Ruby Droma Dickinson who was born in Geelong in 1885 who has a brother Sidney Rushbrook Dickinson in Christchurch, NZ, and is the next entry in the files.

Sources

1. ↑ Birth: "Australia, Birth Index, 1788-1922"
   The New South Wales Pioneers Index: Pioneers Series 1788-1888; Registration Number: 19373
   Ancestry uk Record 1778 #2505408 (accessed 5 January 2024)
   Ruby Dickenson born in 1885, child of William Dickenson & Julia Dickenson, in New South Wales.
2. ↑ Marriage: "Australia, Marriage Index, 1788-1950"
   Australia, Marriage Index, 1788-1950; Lehi, UT; Australia, Marriage Index, 1788-1950; Registration Number: 5265
   Ancestry uk Record 1780 #743510 (accessed 5 January 2024)
   Ruby Dickinson marriage to Frederick E Body in 1914 in Sydney, New South Wales.
3. ↑ Australian War Memorial nominal roll: Staff Nurse Ruby Dickinson; accessed 22 Jul 2020
4. ↑ Military: "Australia, World War I Service Records, 1914-1920"
   National Archives of Australia; Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia; B2455, First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry uk Record 60864 #147498 (accessed 5 January 2024)
   Name: Ruby Dickinson; Age: 30; Birth Year: abt 1884; Birth Place: Forbes, New South Wales; Dossier Year Range: 1914-1920; Rank: Staff Nurse; Mother: Julia Dickinson; Next of Kin: Julia Dickinson.
5. ↑ 1918 Newspaper: "Trove, National Library of Australia"
   The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), Thu 25 Jul 1918, Page 6 : Family Notices
   Trove Article (accessed 5 January 2024)
6. ↑ 1919 Newspaper: "Trove, National Library of Australia"
   The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), Sat 5 Jul 1919, Page 9 : WOMEN'S COLUMN
   Trove Article (accessed 5 January 2024)
7. ↑ Memorial: Find a Grave (has image)
   Find A Grave: Memorial #83166751 (accessed 5 January 2024)
   Memorial page for Staff Nurse Ruby Dickinson (1885-23 Jun 1918), citing St Mary the Virgin Churchyard, Harefield, London Borough of Hillingdon, Greater London, England (plot: Aust. 57); Maintained by Wertypop (contributor 46806984).