Marion Leane Smith facts for kids
Marion Leane Smith (1891–1957) was a brave nurse from Australia and Canada. She is known as the only Aboriginal Australian woman who served in the First World War. Marion had both English and Darug heritage. Her grandmother, Lucy Leane, was from the Cabrogal people.
Early Life
Marion Smith was born in Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia, in 1891. Her parents were Elizabeth and George William Smith. When Marion was very young, her family moved to Canada.
A Special Nurse
Marion trained to be a nurse at the New England Hospital in Massachusetts, USA. After finishing her training, she returned to Canada in 1913. There, she joined the Victorian Order of Nurses in Montreal.
In 1917, Marion joined Queen Alexandra's Imperial Nursing Service. At that time, it was very hard for Aboriginal Australian women to get the training needed to become nurses and join the military. Because of this, Marion is the only known nurse of Aboriginal heritage to serve in the First World War.
Helping Soldiers in France
Marion Smith served on the No. 41 Ambulance Train in France. These special ambulance trains were used to move injured soldiers from the battlefields to hospitals. Working on these trains was very tough. Even so, Marion was excellent at her job. Her boss said that her work was "quickly and efficiently done." They also noted she was "most capable in every way."
After her time on the ambulance train, Marion went to Italy with the Italian Expeditionary Force. Later, she worked at the University War Hospital in Southampton, UK.
Life After the War
Marion returned to Canada in 1919. She married Victor Walls, who was also a war veteran. The couple moved to Trinidad, an island country. There, Victor became the headmaster of Naparima College. Marion helped the school by writing its hymn and creating a special room for sick students in the dormitory.
When the Second World War started, Marion served as a leader for the first Red Cross group on the island. She also led a Nurses' Council. For all her hard work, she later received a Distinguished War Service Medal.
Marion and Victor returned to Canada in 1953. They had one son, who was born while they lived in Trinidad. Marion Smith passed away in Blackville, New Brunswick, Canada, on January 24, 1957.
