Rediscovering our local Nursing Sisters – Alice Trusdale

Alice Trusdale was among the thousands of nurses who served overseas during the First World War. Alice, from Waterford, Ontario graduated from Guelph General Hospital School of Nurses on October 8, 1912. When war broke out in 1914, she trained with the Canadian Army Medical Corps in London, Ontario and was sent overseas in 1917.

On returning home she became Matron at the Freeport Hospital in Kitchener. While there, she became ill very suddenly with polio. She was then transferred to Guelph General Hospital where she passed away after a very short illness in September 1919 in her 26th year.

Alice’s service is honoured on the Guelph War Memorial unveiled in 1927.

Pictured:

Guelph General Hospital School of Nursing Class of 1912 | 2012.117.1072

Back row L-R : Mary Petit, Hazel Herrick, Olive Griffin, Amy May, Grace Small, Ella Beck.
Middle row: Florence McEachern, Ethel Steele, Alice Trusdale, Miss Reekle Director, Ralph (her dog), Elizabeth Inglis, Jean Haggart, Catherine Arkell
Front row: Anne Morre, L. Kropf O.R. Supervisor , Eva Grieve, Lillian Ferguson.

Alice Trusdale’s GGH School of Nursing Pin, 1912 | 2012.117.791