King, Olive May Kelso (Sergeant, b.1885 - d.1958) Accession Number: PR90/178

Description

Collection relating to the First World War service of Sergeant Olive May Kelso King, Royal Serbian Army, New Mexico, United States of America, Mexico, Croatia, Australia, France, Greece, Serbia, Montenegro, Yugoslavia, England, 1909-1986.

Wallet 1 of 14 - consists of five letters from Olive King to her father, Sir George Eccles Kelso King, dated 25 July 1909 to 18 May 1910. King describes her travels in North America, including sightseeing, attending automobile races, sending home souvenirs from the Grand Canyon, as well as the voyage to Europe. The wallet also contains one pressed flower.

Wallet 2 of 14 - contains 13 letters dated 14 May 1915 to 1 October 1916. King writes to her father and sister, Iris 'Sunny' Waring, of her service on the Western Front with the Scottish Women's Hospital. She describes her self-funded, makeshift ambulance 'Ella', driving conditions, performing her own mechanical repairs, and her belief that Germany will be defeated quickly. Subsequent letters outline her posting and journey to Salonika, initial impressions of Greece, digging trenches, early wakeups, language lessons, and the challenging terrain for hospital vehicles on the Balkan Front.

Wallet 3 of 14 - consists of 13 letters from 9 February to 23 December 1917 and two poems, during King's service in northern Greece. Having transferred to the Royal Serbian Army, King describes the harsh climate, treacherous roads, ferrying casualties from the front and Guevgueli, fourteen-hour shifts, her close friendship with Serbian Liaison Officer Captain Milan 'Yovi' Yovitchitch, and receiving a promotion. Notably, King's letter on 29 August 1917 describes the Great Fire at Salonika, driving through ember-lit skies, buildings engulfed with flames, protecting their medical stores, and ferrying civilians. Her subsequent letter announces she had been awared a Silver Medal for Bravery for her actions. The wallet also contains two poems, entitled 'Hazel' and 'My Fairy' and a short note by King.

Wallet 4 of 14 - contains 17 letters sent by King between 12 January and 30 December 1918. King describes driving in snowstorms, mechanical breakdowns, the investiture ceremony for her Serbian Gold Medal for Zealous Service, as well as her efforts to establish an Australian Serbian canteen. As the war concludes, King also makes plans to travel to England and visit her sister, after recovering from an illness at No. 43 General Hospital.

Wallet 5 of 14 - contains 23 letters from 2 February to 25 December 1919. King's letters are written after her departure from Salonika, commenting on Serbia's political standing in the post-war period, refugee families, travelling through Marseilles, Ragusa, Corfu and Serbia. She also writes of the establishment of Australian Serbian Canteens in Belgrade and Niš, reuniting with Serbian friends, and attempting to avoid the Spanish Flu.

Wallet 6 of 14 - consists of 14 letters from 1920 to 1922. King discusses her administration of the Serbian canteens and their success, securing supplies, updates on friends and colleagues, and working with the Australian Red Cross. In her letter dated 6 July 1920, King indicates the last of the canteens are closing and its funds to be redistributed in Belgrade, including to the Children's Hospital. King also outlines her preparations to return to Australia, selling her remaining vehicles, and her worries for Serbia's future. The wallet also contains one letter, dated 8 June 1922, detailing the royal wedding of King Alexander I and Princess Maria in Belgrade; King was invited as a special guest for her contributions to Serbia.

Wallet 7 of 14 - contains 11 identity passes and documents related to King's First World War service. Items include a Serbian-issued identity pass containing a photograph of King, documents in French, Italian and Serbian confirming King's occupation as a driver, and a request by King to the Serbian Ministry of War to establish more canteens.

Wallet 8 of 14 - consists of 22 documents, letters and postcards relating to King's First World War service and experiences. Items include a letter of commendation for King's actions during the Salonika fire, as well as bulletins promoting King's service with the Serbian army and her fundraising for the Australian Serbian canteens. The wallet also includes several post-war reflections on King's experiences during the war, souvenir postcards, an account of the wedding of King Alexander, and two letters of recommendation outlining King's Second World War employment as an examiner at the De Havilland Aircraft factory.

Wallet 9 of 14 - contains a draft section of the manuscript 'One Woman at War' by Hazel King (King's younger sister), covering King's childhood and family background, and the beginning of the First World War.

Wallet 10 of 14 - contains one section of 'One Woman at War,' detailing King's experiences from 1916 to 1918.

Wallet 11 of 14 - contains one section of 'One Woman at War,' detailing King's experiences from 1918 to 1920.

Wallet 12 of 14 - contains one section of 'One Woman at War,' detailing King's experiences in the 1920s and in later life.

Wallet 13 of 14 - consists of 21 photocopied maps and editorial proofs used in the manuscript 'One Woman at War.'

Wallet 14 of 14 - consists of 83 photographic prints and reproductions relating to Olive King. Included are prints and photographic postcards featuring King in uniform with the Scottish Women's Hospital and with the Royal Serbian Army, local Serbian people in traditional dress, King's medals and her ambulance. Copies of original photographs, negatives and semi-transparent overlays relate to the preparation of 'One Woman at War.'

Oversize Folio 1 of 1 - contains six newspaper clippings and published bulletins from the First World War relating to Olive King.

Details

Conflicts

• First World War, 1914-1918

Units

• Scottish women's hospital
• Serbian Forces

Tags

• Awards and medals
• Letters
• Women
• Canteens
• Photographs
• Ambulance drivers