Winnipeg General Hospital School of Nursing, Class of 1907

Annie Forrest, Class of 1907

Annie Forrest was born on November 16, 1880 in Renfrew, Ontario. She graduated from Winnipeg General Hospital School of Nursing in 1907. After graduation, she moved to Lethbridge, Alberta where she was in charge of the Operating Room at Galt Hospital. In 1909, she resigned and accepted a position in the Operating Room at Winnipeg General Hospital, where she worked until 1914. She then was appointed Lady Superintendent at Ninette Sanatorium.

In May 1915, Annie enlisted with the Canadian Army Medical Corps (CAMC) and served in both England and France. Nursing sister Forrest was posted at No. 5 Canadian Hospital, Shorncliffe and then in 1916, she transferred to a Casualty Clearing Station Hospital in France where she worked alongside Dr. Blanchard (a physician from Winnipeg General Hospital) and Hilda Corelli (Winnipeg General Hospital School of Nursing, Class of 1909). She was awarded the Royal Red Cross, First Class, in 1917 for her war service. In 1918, she was posted to a Canadian Special Hospital for tubercular patients in Lenham, England.

After the war, nursing sister Forrest returned to Canada and accepted a position at the Queen Alexandra Sanatorium in London, Ontario.

Annie Johnston, Class of 1907

Annie Johnston was born on March 9, 1879 at Glencross, Manitoba, the daughter of John and Rachel Johnston. She was educated at Morden High School and the Winnipeg Normal School. After graduating from high school, she taught school for four years before enrolling in the Winnipeg General Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in 1907. After graduating, she was appointed school nurse by the Winnipeg School Board and was involved in the medical inspection of schools.

In April 1915, she went overseas and served with the Red Cross for almost two years in Malta. She was then posted to No. 5 Canadian General Hospital in France along with her classmate, Mary Irene Burns. In 1917, Johnston signed on for another six months of service and was posted to the No. 20 Casualty Clearing Station in France, where she received the Royal Red Cross for her service.

In 1918, she married Captain R. Fletcher Argue (Dr. Fletcher Argue) and resigned from the Red Cross. She returned from overseas in 1919 after nearly five years and resumed her position of Editor of the Winnipeg General Hospital Nurses’ Alumnae Journal. She died on January 17, 1965 in Toronto, Ontario.

[Excerpt from letter written by Annie Johnston while on furlough at Taplow court. Printed in the April 1916 Winnipeg General Hospital Nurses’ Alumnae Journal]:

Taplow Court, March 19, 1916

My conscience troubles me somewhat when I remember that I have not in all these months contributed anything to the Journal. I was always waiting for something very special to occur, something unique about which I might write; waiting too for a time of quiet; away from the turmoil of life; where I might think calmly of the things that come to us in these days of strife. Probably I shall never have a better opportunity than now in this beautiful haven of rest – Taplow Court.

This lovely spot is the home of Lord and Lady Desborough (The latter was Lady-in-waiting to Queen Mary.)

When the present cruel war a few months ago robbed them of their two eldest sons, one being instantly killed, and the other lingering for some days in great agony, Lord and Lady Desborough, instead of nourishing their sorrow as they might have done, put aside their mourning and opened their home and their hearts to nurses on furlough.

And such a home! I might write pages on the magnificence and splendor, and withal, the peace of it all. Our rooms are beautiful, and on many occasions have been occupied by the Great of England. One of the girls sleeps in the late King Edward’s room, another in Princess Mary’s. Mine is Mr. Balfour’s room. The great hero of the day, Lord Kitchener, when he visits Taplow Court, sleeps here and writes his letters at the very table at which I now write.

Very sincerely yours,

Annie E. Johnston

Inga Johnson, Class of 1907

Inga Johnson was born on October 17, 1881 in Gimli, Manitoba. She graduated from the Winnipeg General Hospital School of Nursing in 1907 and was employed as a staff nurse until 1909 when she took a leave of absence. She was appointed Lady Superintendent of Winnipeg General Hospital in 1910 and was in charge of the Social Service Department until 1914.

She enlisted in the Canadian Army Medical Corps (CAMC) on August 10, 1916 in Kingston, Ontario and was stationed at the No. 1 Canadian General Hospital in France. In 1917 she transferred to the No. 4 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station (CCS) in France, where she worked with Lieutenant-Colonel S.W. Prowse, a physician from Winnipeg, who was in charge of the CCS. Her last posting was believed to be at Mons and she returned to Canada in 1919.

She received the Royal Red Cross for her service during World War I. Upon her return, she completed a post-graduate course in Boston and then resumed her duties as head of the Service Department at Winnipeg General Hospital in 1921. Due to poor health, she resigned in December 1921.

In 1926, Inga Johnson joined the staff at Ninette Sanatorium. In 1933, she was living in Victoria, British Columbia and returned to Manitoba to be Matron of the Icelandic Old Folks’ Home in Gimli. She died in January 1948.

Mary Burns, Class of 1907

Mary Irene Burns was born on March 6, 1883 in Woodstock, Ontario. She came west with her family in 1883 and was employed in the late 1890s at the Transportation offices at the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) for four years prior to entering the Winnipeg General Hospital School of Nursing. She graduated in 1907.

After graduation, she was employed with the Eye and Ear Department at Winnipeg General Hospital. She joined the Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service (QAIMNS) in 1914 and was posted at Valletta Hospital with the Red Cross in Malta until November 1915 and then at Hamrun Officers Hospital until February 1916. After Malta, she served at the No. 5 British General Hospital and then at the No. 20 Casualty Clearing Station – both in France.

Mary left the QAIMNS and enlisted with the Canadian Army Medical Corps in June 1918. She was posted at the No. 11 Canadian General Hospital, Shorncliffe and No. 15 Canadian General Hospital (Duchess of Connaught’s Red Cross Hospital) Clivedon.

Upon returning to Canada, she was posted at the No. 10 Manitoba Military Hospital (Tuxedo Park) in Winnipeg until 1922. Nursing sister Burns received the Royal Red Cross for her service. She married Wesley Thomas on June 9, 1923.

Mary Burns died on December 16, 1966.