Ethel Gray

Ethel Gray, (24 April 1876 – 22 July 1962) was an Australian civilian and military nurse. She served in France in the First World War, was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire and awarded the Royal Red Cross and the Medal of French Gratitude.

Early life Gray was born in Melbourne on 24 April 1876. She was the eldest of the eight children of Samuel Gray, a clothing manufacturer from Cavan, Ireland, and his English-born wife Amelia, née Bird. She attended Lee Street State School in East Melbourne, and the Presbyterian Ladies' College. In March 1900, she entered Melbourne Hospital as a nursing probationer. She gained her certificate on 12 March 1903 and was promoted to the position of staff nurse two days later, followed by another promotion to the position of sister on 29 May.

Nursing career In 1908 Gray left Melbourne Hospital and was appointed matron at the Queen's Memorial Infectious Diseases Hospital. The following year she returned to Melbourne Hospital as house matron and two years later, in 1911, became assistant lady superintendent. When she arrived in England she found that the mansion which had been offered for use as a hospital, Harefield Park House in Middlesex, had not been prepared and was not ready to be used. She was required to advise on all necessary alterations, equipment and furniture to make the buildings capable of holding convalescent patients. Over the coming years, Gray managed the growth of the hospital from 150 to 1000 beds. and was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1919. She retired in 1939 and died in Epworth on 22 July 1962.