The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Collection relating to the First World War experiences of volunteer Louisa 'Louie' Blanche Riggall, Australian Red Cross Society, Australia, Egypt, France, 1915-1932.
Wallet 1 of 1 - consists of 14 letters and 3 postcards relating to Louisa Riggall's service with the Australian Red Cross. Writing to a family friend, Charles Whittakers, Riggall describes awaiting her embarkation for Egypt, being attached to No. 1 Australian General Hospital (1AGH) in Heliopolis, and duties as an orderly sister. Two postcards, to Whittakers and his daughter Alison, document Riggall's move with 1AGH to Rouen, France. Subsequent letters describe Riggall's responsibilities with the Red Cross Store, visiting patients in hospital, lengthy shifts, a visit from Queen Mary, her scepticism that the war will end soon, and her pride and admiration of the Australian soldiers. Riggall regularly enquires after the health of Whittaker's children and the Gippsland region. The wallet also includes two letters by Mary Riggall, the first written to inform Charles Whittakers of her sister, Louisa's, death on 31 August 1918, and a subsequent condolence letter to Alison Whittakers on her father's death in 1932.
Louisa 'Louie' Blanche Riggall was born in Maldon, Victoria, in 1868 and later resident of the Gippsland region of Victoria. She had a flair for painting, exhibiting her works in several Australian cities and undertaking further studies in Paris before the beginning of the First World War.
In mid-1915, Riggall volunteered her services with the Australian Red Cross. Embarking on the S.S. Moldavia, she arrived in Cairo in late 1915 and was attached to the 1st Australian General Hospital as an orderly. When the hospital was reposted to Rouen, France in April 1916, Louisa embarked with them. Recognised for her compassion and organisational ability, Riggall was placed in charge of managing the Red Cross Store, and in her daily rounds, she also visited patients across several hospitals.
Complaining of a headache one afternoon, Riggall finished her duties and retired to her room. She reported that she felt unwell shortly before losing consciousness. Riggall passed away on the evening of 31 August 1918, age 50, suffering from a brain haemorrhage. Buried at St. Sever Cemetery, Rouen, her funeral was well-attended by fellow medical officers and patients.
Charles William Grant Whittakers was a cattle station owner, widower and father of four from the Gippsland region of Victoria, where he and Louisa Riggall became acquaintances. On the reverse of an envelope received from Louisa, Charles wrote,
'Miss Louie Riggall's letters written from Egypt and France. She died for her country.
A perfect heroine.' Charles never remarried and passed away in 1932.
Collection relating to the Second World War service of SX11647 Sister Ellen Louisa Keats, 2/10 Australian General Hospital, Malaya, 1941-1942. The collection consists of two letters written by Sister
Collection relating to the First World War service of Lieutenant Colonel Harold William Riggall, 1st Australian Divisional Artillery, Australian Imperial Force, Egypt and France, 1916. Wallet 1 of 1
Papers of Sister Alice Ross-King who served with the Australian Army Nursing Service during the First World War. The collection consists of her three original diaries, a typed transcript of the diari
Collection relating to the First World War service of Matron Margaret Anne Gray, British Red Cross (BRC). Collection consists of two autograph books, containing verses, messages, photographs, waterco
One original handwritten letter, dated 5 August [1916], from the War Office, Whitehall S.W. to Nurse Blanche Atkinson, Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley. The signature on the letter is not clear, but th
Collection relating to the Second World War service of 501067 Sister Louisa Winifred Godson (later Marr), Royal Australian Air Force Nursing Service, New Zealand, Panama, United States, United Kingdom