# The statue of Matron Alice Cashin (1870–1939)

## TL;DR

Alice Cashin was a pioneering Australian nurse who served in World War I, displayed bravery during a torpedo attack, and was honored for her service.

## Contribution

This paper highlights the life and legacy of Alice Cashin, emphasizing her pioneering role in nursing and wartime service.

## Key findings

- Alice Cashin served in critical roles during World War I, including on the HMHS Gloucester Castle.
- She was the first Australian to receive the Royal Red Cross Medal.
- Her legacy is preserved at the ANZAC Memorial in Sydney.

## Abstract

Alice Alanna Cashin (1870–1939) was a pioneering Australian nurse whose career spanned both conflict and humanitarian service. Born to Irish immigrants in Australia, Cashin trained at St. Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, before expanding her expertise in London and joining the British Red Cross during World War I. Her service included critical roles in France and Egypt, and she was eventually promoted to 'seas-matron' on the HMHS Gloucester Castle. During a torpedo attack by a German U-Boat, Cashin displayed extraordinary bravery, overseeing the evacuation of over 399 patients and ensuring their safety before leaving on the last lifeboat. After the war, she managed a military hospital in England before returning to Australia to care for her ailing father and later her elderly uncle. Cashin's post-war years included a modest stint running a stationery shop and her retirement in Victoria Road. Her exemplary service earned her multiple accolades, including the Star Medal and the Royal Red Cross Medal, the latter being the first awarded to an Australian. She was also honoured with multiple mentions in dispatches and personal invitations to Buckingham Palace. Alice Cashin's legacy is memorialised at the Woronora Cemetery, with her medals and accolades displayed at the ANZAC Memorial in Sydney, reflecting her enduring impact on the nursing profession and her remarkable dedication to service and care.