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Ida Mary Graham - Information

Ida Mary Graham was born in Campbelltown c1884. Ida trained to be a nurse, and deciding to help her fellow countrymen, enlisted in the AIF. She joined up on the 27th of August 1917 in Sydney. In September, Ida was appointed Sister before being shipped overseas with the Australian Army Nursing Service. She embarked Sydney on the SS Canberra on the 16th of November 1917.

Ida landed in Egypt in December, and commenced her first assignment in Abbassia, with the 14th Australian General Hospital. The influx of wounded and sick troops was remarkable. Troops not only had to fight the enemy, but also, the harsh desert environment. The medical staff also had to contend with these conditions, leading to dehydration, sunstroke, malaria and illness due to contaminated well water. By the start of the new year, Ida was posted to the Government Hospital in Suez. In April, she returned to the 14th Australian General Hospital. Ida continued her nursing duties after the war ended and was sent home to Australia from Port Said in May 1919.