• Entry type: Person
  • Entry ID: AWE0462

MacPherson, Daisy Cardin (Tootie)

(1911 – 1989)
  • Born 9 March, 1911, Junee New South Wales Australia
  • Died 14 November, 1989
  • Occupation Servicewoman

Summary

Tootie Keast (later MacPherson) was one of six Australian Army Nursing Service sisters who were taken Prisoner of War on 23 January 1942 in Rabaul, New Britain. The sisters spent three and a half years interned with civilian nurses and missionaries. At first they were held at Vunapope Catholic mission before being transferred to Yokohama and then Totsuka.

After the War in the Pacific had ended a Japanese official told the women that their imprisonment was over. At the end of August an American officer found them, and arranged for their repatriation. They were flown back to Australia via the Okinawa Islands and Manila. [1]

On 10 April 1946, MacPherson was discharged from the Australian Army.

[1] Guns and Booches p. 149

Published resources

Archival resources

  • National Archives of Australia, National Office, Canberra
    • KEAST DAISY CARDIN : Service Number - NFX180286 : Date of birth - 09 Mar 1911 : Place of birth - JUNEE NSW : Place of enlistment - Unknown : Next of Kin - KEAST WILLIAM
  • National Archives of Australia, Melbourne Office
    • Correspondence
  • Australian War Memorial, Research Centre
    • A group of Australian nurses rescued after being almost three and a half years with the Japanese.
    • Sister Daisy (Tootie) Cardin Keast, of the Australian Army Nursing Service

Related entries


  • Membership
    • Sydney & Metropolitan Ex-Prisoners of War Welfare Association (1999 - )
  • Related Organisations
    • Australian Army Nursing Service (AANS) (1902 - 1948)
  • Related Cultural Artefacts
    • Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial