Phoebe Chapple facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Phoebe Chapple
MM
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Phoebe Chapple during the First World War
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| Born | March 31, 1879 |
| Died | March 24, 1967 (aged 87) |
| Occupation | Medical doctor |
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Notable work
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Pioneer female doctor who won the Military Medal |
Phoebe Chapple MM (born March 31, 1879 – died March 24, 1967) was an amazing Australian medical doctor. She was honored for her brave actions while helping soldiers in France during World War I. She was the first female doctor to receive the Military Medal, a special award for bravery.
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Early Life and Education
Phoebe Chapple was born in Adelaide, South Australia, on March 31, 1879. She was the youngest daughter of Frederic Chapple, who was the headmaster of Prince Alfred College. This was a well-known school for boys in Adelaide.
Phoebe likely studied at home when she was very young. Later, she attended the Advanced School for Girls. This was a new and progressive school set up by the South Australian government. It helped smart girls get ready to go to the University of Adelaide.
Phoebe was a very successful student. She finished high school in 1895 and started studying science at the university in 1896. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in 1898. After that, she continued her studies in medicine. She became a qualified doctor in 1904.
From 1896 to 1908, Phoebe also worked with a group called Our Girls' Institute. This group was connected to the YWCA, which helps young women.
Medical Career and Community Work
After becoming a doctor, Phoebe worked at the Adelaide Hospital in 1905. She was a house surgeon, which means she helped with operations and patient care. In 1906 and 1907, she worked with the Sydney Medical Mission. This service was created by women to help other women in poorer parts of the city.
Phoebe returned to Adelaide in late 1907 and started her own medical practice. She also worked with Prince Alfred College. She helped several Friendly Societies, which were groups that provided support to their members.
She taught first aid courses with the YWCA and the St. John Ambulance Brigade. From 1908 to 1935, she was the medical officer for the South Australian Refuge. This place helped women in need.
Phoebe also did a lot of charity work without charging money. Around 1910, she started working as an honorary surgeon at the Salvation Army's maternity hospital. She continued to work there until 1929. She also volunteered her services to the Children's Home in Magill, South Australia. This home was set up by the Methodist Central Mission.
When her father retired in 1914, he bought a house for Phoebe in Norwood. She later moved to another home in Norwood.
Heroic Service in World War I
Phoebe wanted to help during the Great War (World War I). However, the Australian army did not employ women doctors at that time. So, she paid her own way to England in February 1917. She planned to join the Scottish Women's Hospitals for Foreign Service, which was looking for qualified women doctors.
She arrived in April 1917 and soon became a surgeon at the Cambridge Military Hospital in Aldershot. Here, she cared for wounded soldiers. In November 1917, she was given the honorary rank of Captain in the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC). She was then assigned to the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC). This group was getting ready to go to France, and Phoebe was one of the first women doctors to go.
On May 29, 1918, Phoebe was at a WAAC camp near Abbeville, France. There was an air raid, and a bomb hit a trench where women were sheltering. Eight women were killed, and nine were injured. Phoebe worked in the dark for hours, moving through the damaged trench to help the wounded.
For her incredible bravery, Phoebe Chapple was awarded the Military Medal. She was the first woman doctor ever to receive this honor. She received the medal at Buckingham Palace in June 1919. The Military Medal was usually given to soldiers who were not officers. Officers usually received the Military Cross. However, women were not allowed to be official officers at that time, even though Phoebe had an honorary rank of captain. So, she received the Military Medal, which was the equivalent award for her brave actions. She was also promoted to honorary Major.
After this, she served in other places in France, like Rouen and Le Havre. When the war ended, she continued her medical training in England. She returned to Adelaide in September 1919.
Later Career and Public Life
In December 1919, Phoebe ran for election to the Robe ward of the Adelaide City Council. She represented the Women's Non-Party Political Association but was not elected. Also in December 1919, she was appointed as a surgeon to the clinical department of the Adelaide Hospital.
In 1931, she was very busy helping people during an influenza epidemic. She made many visits to the Methodist Children's home, all without charging any fees.
Her last trip overseas was in March 1937. She sailed to London to attend the coronation as an official guest. While in Britain, she attended the Medical Women's International Conference in Edinburgh. She was the official representative for Australia there. She also went to the annual meeting of the B.M.A. (British Medical Association) in Belfast.
During World War II, she was active with the Voluntary Services Detachments, continuing to help her community.
Personal Life
Phoebe Chapple was a supporter of the British Ex-Servicewomen's Fellowship. She was also a member of the Adelaide Ladies' Rifle Club.
She often appeared in the "social pages" of newspapers, attending events like horse races and concerts. She traveled frequently to visit her family members who lived in other states and countries. She also hosted them when they visited Adelaide.
She remained close friends with other women doctors, such as Helen Mayo and Violet Plummer.
Phoebe Chapple passed away on March 24, 1967, just one week before her 88th birthday. She had a military funeral, and her ashes were buried at the Centennial Park Cemetery in Adelaide. In her will, she arranged for a special scholarship, called a bursary, to be given in her name to students at St Ann's College at the University of Adelaide.
See also
