Joy in the Caring

Edith Rudd (nee Lewis) served in World War 1 (WW1) and World War 2 (WW2) and was matron of Wairau Hospital for 20 years between the wars. She enlisted with the New Zealand Army Nursing Service (NZANS), sailing from Wellington on the Marama in December 1915, and served in Egypt until 1918.

She describes the difficult conditions in her book 'Joy in the Caring': ?The convoys would bring us some heavy cases from the Western Desert and looking back now we think how much could have been done?? had we had some of the modern drugs and advanced knowledge of surgery we have today?it was a continual battle to get good results, especially when the condition of the patient was depleted from malnutrition and sometimes malaria.?

On 22 April 1941, the NZHS 'Maunganui' left Wellington for Suez with Matron Lewis on board and in charge of 20 nurses. The ship was converted to carry 390 patients and, by 1945, had transported more than 5,600 patients - mostly home to New Zealand. Matron Lewis became known as 'Momma of the Black Dressing Gown'. At night during blackout conditions, wearing her black silk dressing gown, she checked on her patients in the wards and on the decks.

Matron Lewis was awarded campaign medals for both of the World Wars. She also received the highest military nursing award, the Royal Red Cross First (1st Class) in 1944.