The Australian Women's Register

50 minutes Elsie Hughes was born in Adelaide, South Australia, and spent her youth in Murray Bridge. At the age of 19 she began nursing training at the Adelaide Hospital. On completion of training she remained on staff of the hospital, working as a Theatre Sister. In 1936 Elsie and a friend left on an overseas visit, and after a holiday in Britain, worked at a Sanatorium in Switzerland. When war broke out in 1939 Elsie returned to Britain where she joined the Reserve Queen Alexandria Imperial Military Nursing Service. She served during the war in military hospitals in Palestine and Egypt, and in Britain. On return to Adelaide in 1946 Elsie Hughes became Sister in Charge of the McEwin Theatre suite at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, an appointment which she held until retirement in 1966.