Alicia Mary Kelly

Alicia Mary Chipper, ( Kelly; 16 September 1874 – 16 April 1942) was an Irish-born Australian nurse. She was awarded the Associate Royal Red Cross and the Military Medal for her bravery during the First World War.

Early life Kelly was born in Galway, Ireland, on 16 September 1874 to Richard Kelly, a farmer, and Bridget Jane (née Bell). Few details are known about her early life in Ireland. In 1910 she was qualifying as a nurse at the (Royal) Melbourne Hospital.

First World War The First World War began in 1914 and in 1915 Kelly joined the Australian Army Nursing Service as a staff nurse. Her mother was then living in Mount Dandenong. She left for Egypt and worked with the 1st Australian General Hospital during the Gallipoli campaign. She returned to Australia twice in 1915 on board the SS Euripides as she cared for the severely wounded soldiers who were being returned to Australia. Only seven Australian nurses received the Military Medal during the First World War, the award being for "conspicuous gallantry under fire". Kelly was invested with her Military Medal at Buckingham Palace on 16 October 1917. having returned to work despite her health issues. Her medals are part of her display at the Army Museum of Western Australia.