Location of the AHS Centaur
Published: 21 December 2009
Nurses around the country will remember their fallen colleagues
Nurses throughout Australia will welcome today’s
announcement that the final resting place of the AHS Centaur, which was sunk off Brisbane by a Japanese submarine on 14 May 1943 killing eleven of the 12 army nurses on board, has been located, the Queensland Nurses Union (QNU) said today.
QNU Secretary, Gay Hawksworth, said these nurses, like all on board, were serving their country during one of its darkest and most perilous times and, like so many others, they paid the ultimate price.
“In fact, the loss of the eleven nurses became a potent symbol of the injustice of the Centaur sinking and was used in wartime posters to help maintain the war effort – WORK, SAVE, FIGHT …and Avenge the Nurses.
“The sole surviving nurse, Sister Ellen Savage, also did her country and her profession proud in the 36 hours she and the other survivors were adrift at sea after the Centaur went down. According to the Australian War Memorial:
The survivors were at sea for a day and half before they were rescued. The ship’s crew and medical staff suffered heavily, as did the 2/12th Field Ambulance -178 men, from a total of 193, died. It was the nurses though, who suffered the worst. Of the 12 nurses onboard only one, Sister Nell Savage, survived.
Although badly hurt herself, Sister Savage concealed her injuries and gave what help she could to the other survivors. After sharks circled their raft, and when ships and planes passed without seeing them, a sing-along was organised to help keep up their spirits. For her “conspicuous gallantry” Sister Savage was awarded a George Medal.
“I know many nurses, on hearing this news, will take a minute to reflect on this tragedy and the important role many thousands of their colleagues have played during wartime.
“The QNU also congratulates everyone who has played a part in locating this vessel, during this expedition and also during all previous efforts to find it. We trust it provides some comfort to family members and we know, from here on in, the site will be treated as sacred by the entire nation,” Ms Hawksworth said.
Sister H.F.J.C. Haultain
Sister E. King
Sister M. Moston (Please note: Ellen Savage refers to her as Morton.)
Sister E.A. Shaw
Sister D.J. Wyllie
Sister M.L. Adams
Matron S.A. Jewell
Sister A.M. O’Donnell
Sister E. M. Rutherford
Sister W. Walker
Sister M.H. McFarlane
In 1948, Queensland nurses established the "Centaur Memorial Fund for Nurses", which used the money raised to purchase an establishment and name it "Centaur House". This was a facility supporting nurses by providing inexpensive accommodation for out-of-town nurses.
The George Medal was instituted by King George VI during World War II. It is primarily a civilian award for gallant conduct. However, The George Medal may be awarded to military personnel, such as Sister Savage, for gallant conduct which is not in the face of the enemy.
Wartime poster after the Centaur sinking
Contact:
Phone:
