Albums of Bertha Mary Williams, 1903-1920 [manuscript]
- Bib ID:
- 449513
- Format:
- Manuscript
- Author:
- Williams, Bertha Mary
- Online Version:
- National Library of Australia digitised item
- Access Conditions:
- Available for research. Not for loan.
- Description:
-
- [1903-1920]
- 0.03 m. (1 folder)
- Summary:
-
MS 9461 comprises two autograph albums, originally belonging to Bertha Mary Williams. The albums consist mainly of poetry and vernacular art composed by the injured soldiers, principally of the Australian Imperial Forces. However, the 180 entries are also authored by English, Canadian, South African and New Zealand soldiers, some of whom were wounded in France. There are quotations from well-known English and American poets, as well as a Maori war cry, but also original poetry reflecting the horror of trench warfare, such as 'Parody of sing me to sleep'. The patients of Beaufort War Hospital also authored humourous verses, as seen in 'To my masseuse', a poem dedicated to the skills of Sister Williams. Many of the entries express appreciation and a genuine affection to Williams for attending the wounded soldiers. The ink, pencil and watercolour sketches are a mixture of wartime humour, military insignia, country scenes, still life and buildings, including a sketch of Beaufort Hospital. Included in the albums is a lock of hair, dried Australian golden wattle, a halfpenny stamp depicting King George V, a cutting from a magazine and a card with pressed flowers titled 'Old memories' (1 folder).
- Biography/History:
-
Nurse. Sister Bertha Mary Williams worked at Beaufort War Hospital, Bristol, England, during World War l. She nursed wounded soldiers from the allied forces.
- Notes:
-
- Manuscript reference no.: MS 9461.
- Also available online http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-234847219
- Subject:
-
- Williams, Bertha Mary -- Notebooks, sketchbooks, etc
- Williams, Bertha Mary -- Archives
- Beaufort War Hospital
- Nurses -- England -- Bristol -- Archives
- World War, 1914-1918 -- Poetry
- World War, 1914-1918 -- Caricatures and cartoons
- Military hospitals -- England -- Bristol
- Soldiers -- Rehabilitation -- England -- Bristol
- Soldiers -- England -- Bristol -- Autographs
- Soldiers -- England -- Bristol -- Caricatures and cartoons
- Time Coverage:
- 1903-1920
- Occupation:
- Exhibited:
- Exhibited: Keepsakes: Australians and the Great War, National Library of Australia, Canberra, 26 November 2014-19 July 2015.
- Copyright:
-
Copyright Undetermined
If you wish to copy or order copies, contact us. For access conditions return to the record display above.
- Reason for copyright status:
- A Manuscript Collection may have a range of formats and dates.
Copyright status was determined using the following information:
- Material type:
- Literary Dramatic Musical
Copyright status may not be correct if data in the record is incomplete or inaccurate. Other access conditions may also apply. For more information please see: Copyright in library collections.
Request this item
Request this item to view in the Library’s reading room.
Feedback
Similar items
- Bristol / <With bibl.>
- Portrait of Bristol; photographs by W. E. Hall
- A sermon, preached before the contributors to the Bristol Infirmary; at the parish church of St. James, in Bristol, on Tuesday December the 12th, 1738. [electronic resource] : And published at their request. By Carew Reynell, D.D. chancellor of the diocese, rector of St. John's in Bristol, and chaplain, to His Grace the Duke of Devonshire, lord lieutenant of Ireland
- The annual account of the Bristol Infirmary for the year, ending December 21, 1744 [electronic resource] : with a short account of that charity from the beginning to this time
- Explanation of the plan proposed for the improvement of the harbour of Bristol [microform] : and also a scheme and proposals for raising the sum necessary to carry the plan into effect