The Australian Women's Register

Summary

Elizabeth Nixon was one of the first twelve nurses from the New South Wales Army Nursing Service Reserve (NSWANSR) to sail on the Moravian with the 2nd Contingent of the New South Wales Army Medical Corps (NSWAMC) on 17 January 1900 to South Africa to serve in the Boer War. Unlike many of the more than 60 Australian nurses who went to the Boer War, she did not have to pay her own passage. She was awarded the Royal Red Cross medal on 27 September 1901 for her outstanding work with the wounded and those who succumbed to tropical diseases and was Mentioned in Dispatches on 10 September 1901. The King of England, Edward VII, presented her with her medal at St James’ Palace on 12 March 1902. She was one of three Australian nurses who were awarded the medal for service in the Boer War.

Elizabeth is recorded in the 1911 UK census working at the Sanatorium in Chingford, Essex and is likely to be the Elizabeth C Nixon whose death is recorded at age 64 in 1929.