Inez Clare Cronin
From Our Contribution
 taken from photo below rear row, first on left | |
 Group photo of Nurses from HMAT A67 Orsova Jul 1915 outside Ivanhoe Hotel London | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | c1888 |
| Place of Birth | Deniliquin, New South Wales |
| Death | 17 Apr 1976, aged 87 |
| Place of Death | Shenton Park, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 25 years old |
| Occupation | nurse |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | 'The Chestnuts', Jarrahdale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Mother Mrs Agnes Alice Cronin |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | Sister |
| Date of Enlistment | 12 Jun 1915 |
| Rank | Sister |
| Unit/Formation | Transport Corps & Australian Army Nursing Service |
| Date of Embarkation | 22 Jul 1915 - Oct 1019 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A67 Orsova in Hospital ship format |
| Date of Return |
9 Nov 1919 Bombay 10 Dec 1919 Singapore - 20 Dec 1919 |
| Ship Returned On |
SS Kashgar to Singapore SS Charon to Fremantle |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Monument | Jarrahdale Honour Roll |
| Medals |
1914-15 Star British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
Prior to enlisting Inez had spent three years with the Perth Public Hospital, including a period of Acting Sister in the Surgical Ward.
Electoral Roll entries: 1912 - 1914 Perth Public Hospital, nurse.
War Service
Initial deployment was as a Staff Nurse in the Hospital Transport Corps. Her records first mention her as medical crew aboard the No.2 Australian Hospital Ship aka HMAT A61 Kanowna. Arrived in England 26 Aug 1916, departed for Australia on 4 Sep 1916. However the photo above indicates that she first travelled to England aboard the HAMAT A67 Orsova in July 1915. Promoted to Sister on 8 Nov 1916. One of 36 women who also served with the Australian Army Nursing Service.
On 14 May 1917 Inez was transferred to the Australian Army Nursing Service Headquarters in London from HMAT A61 Kanowna. On 3 May 1917 she disembarked from the ship in Port Suez.
From 29 May 1917 until 13 Jul 1917 Inez was temporarily transferred to the 1,200 bed, 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital in Dartford. She then rejoined her ship and on 4 Oct 1917 she disembarked in Albany and transferred to the 8th Australian General Hospital in Fremantle. Inez was struck off strength of No.2 Hospital Ship HMAT A61 Kanowna following leave after arriving in Australia on 25 Sep 1917. (Service in Australia was not deemed service in the A.I.F.) Her first period of service was ended at her own request.
On 25 October 1918 Inez enlisted with the Australian Army Nursing Service (India), and on 16 Oct 1918 Inez boarded the HMT Malta in Sydney for the voyage to Bombay, arriving on 14 Nov 1919. On arrival she was posted to the 34th Welsh General Hospital in Deolali. Transferred to the 18th British General Hospital in Gharial on 27 May 1919, and the next day to the 19th British General Hospital in Rawalpindi.
Transferred again to the 53rd British General Hospital in Kuldana on 20 Jul 1919 where she remained until she embarked in Bombay on 9 Nov 1919 aboard the SS Kashgar for home via Singapore. In Singapore on 10 Dec 1919 she boarded the SS Charon
Discharged 10 Jan 1920.
Post War
in 1927 Inez married Alan Lewis Ashmeade De Groen who was as much as 15 years younger being born on 4 May 1903. During WW2 Alan enlisted in the Army on 15 Jan 1943 in Port Moresby and served as a Captain in the Australia New Guinea Administrative Unit until he was discharged on 5 Feb 1946. Alan died in Buderim, Queensland.
Electoral Roll entries: 1922 Carlton Women's Hospital, nurse; 1943 "Bonnin Brae" Braeside street, Wahroonga, NSW, nurse; 1968 at 48 Mount street, Perth.
Notes
Inez's mother died in Jarrahdale on 24 Feb 1931.