Julia Bligh (Johnston) Johnstone RRC (1861 - 1940)

Born 2 Aug 1861 in Windsor, New South Wales (Australia)

Ancestors

Died 23 Jun 1940 at age 78 in Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia

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Biography

Nellie Gould, Penelope Frater & Julia (on the right)

Julia Bligh Johnston RRC was born on 2nd August 1861 at Spring Hill Farm, near Windsor, Colony of New South Wales (Australia). She was the older daughter of James Johnston and Ann Wyndman; ^[1] although she had seven older (half) siblings from her father's previous marriage. She attended school at Windsor and then Presbyterian Ladies College, Croydon.

Julia was a nurse

It is thought that she began nursing at the Hawkesbury Hospital but undertook her two-year formal training at Launceston General Hospital, graduating in 1888. She was a Senior Sister at Sydney Hospital by 1899, crossing the paths of Colonel W D C Williams of the New South Wales Medical Corps and Matron Nellie Gould.

Julia (Johnston) Johnstone RRC is a Military Veteran.
Served in the New South Wales Military Force 1900-1902
New South Wales Nursing Sisters

At the outset of the Second Boer War in South Africa, Julia was appointed to the New South Wales Nursing Sisters as Superintendent (Sister), second-in-command to Lady Superintendent Nellie Gould, with whom she was already on familiar terms and with whom she would enter a long-term professional association. The contingent sailed in January 1900 aboard the SS Moravian. At the end of July 1902 their war was over and they boarded the troopship Montrose, to at last sail through Sydney Heads on 2nd August. ^[2] Julia was awarded both the Queen's South Africa Medal and the King's South Africa Medal.

Julia (Johnston) Johnstone RRC is a Military Veteran.
Served in the Australian Imperial Force 1914-1919
Australian Army Nursing Service

When the First World War broke out in 1914, Julia Bligh Johnston - then aged 53 years - together with Nellie Gould, Penelope Frater and Bessie Pocock, volunteered again and all had distinguished nursing careers overseas for the whole of the war. She returned to Australia 8th October 1919. ^[3] For her exemplary service in this second war, Julia was awarded the Royal Red Cross (RRC), 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and Victory Medal. She also received a Palm Leaf clasp, signifying that she had been Mentioned in Despatches (equivalent to today's Commendation for Gallantry). ^[2]

She passed away, unmarried, aged 78 years, on 23rd June 1940 at New South Wales and her ashes placed in the AIF Memorial Wall at Woronora Cemetery. ^[4]

Sources

1. ↑ New South Wales Birth Index #14108/1861
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} Boer War Memorial: Julia Bligh Johnstone; accessed 9 May 2020
3. ↑ Australian War Memorial nominal roll: Matron Julia Bligh Johnston; accessed 9 May 2020
4. ↑ New South Wales Death Index #12466/1940