The Nurse Who Took Flight and Changed Wartime Medicine

The Nurse Who Took Flight and Changed Wartime Medicine

I have been learning about individuals who served during the world wars and today I want to talk about Elsie Ott.

 She was born in 1913 in Smithtown, New York, and trained as a nurse in New York City. Before the war she worked in several hospitals. In September 1941, she joined the Army Nurse Corps and was quickly given the rank of second lieutenant. She was first posted to Louisiana and Virginia, then she was sent to India.

In January 1943, with only 24 hours’ notice, no formal air evacuation training, and having never having flown before, she was assigned to care for wounded soldiers on a flight from Karachi. Over the course of a week, she helped transport injured men across continents to Washington, D.C., a journey that would normally have taken months by sea.

After the flight, she carefully recorded what had worked and what had not. Just two months later, she became the first woman to receive the Air Medal.

She later rose to captain and left service in 1946. She went on to serve in the Vietnam War. Elsee died in 2006 at the age of 82 or 83.

Image info:

 Lt. Elsie Ott being awarded the Air Medal by Brig. Gen. Fred Borum 

Surviving the Titanic: The Remarkable Resilience of R. Norris Williams

Surviving the Titanic: The Remarkable Resilience of R. Norris Williams

I have been finding out a little bit about some of the people who were on board the Titanic. Today I want to tell you about R. Norris Williams.

He was born on the 29th of January 1891 in Geneva. As a child, he was guided by his father, Charles, who introduced him to tennis.

He studied at Harvard and made a name for himself in tennis, winning intercollegiate titles and he developed a bold, attacking style.

Then, in April 1912, everything changed. He was travelling with his father on board the Titanic. Chaos and anxiety was everywhere. He had to break down a cabin door to free a trapped passenger. As the ship went down, he and his father went into the water. Tragically, his father did not survive, and Williams was left alone. It is difficult to imagine the grief and the disbelief when he was rescued by the RMS Carpathia.

He was left with badly frostbitten legs, and doctors were worried he might never play again. But he refused to accept that. He was determined, and he forced himself to recover, remarkably, he went on to win major tennis titles, including the U.S. Championships.

He later served in the First World War and continued to build a successful life, but that night in 1912 never left him.

Do you think surviving something so traumatic can shape a person’s determination for the rest of their life?

Bastet: From Fierce Lioness to Gentle Guardian of Home and Joy

Bastet: From Fierce Lioness to Gentle Guardian of Home and Joy

I have been learning more about the ancient Egyptian gods. So today I want to tell you a little about Bastet.

In the earliest part of the Egyptian beliefs, Bastet was not a gentle figure that many came to know. She was originally depicted as a lioness, just like Sekhmet, and she was associated with protection, warfare, and the defence of the land.

Her image began to change. As Egyptian society started to evolve, Bastet became more closely associated with the domestic cat. She became linked to the home, to fertility, to motherhood, and to protection.

Cats in ancient Egypt were highly valued, they were not just companions, they had a role in protecting food from pests.

Bastet also became associated with joy, music, and celebration. Festivals were held in her honour, it was a chance for people to come together and be happy.

But even in her softer form, there was still a sense of protection. A cat may seem to be calm, but it can react quickly when it needs to.

Do you think people felt more connected to gods like Bastet because they could see her influence in their lives?

From Frontline Nurse to Lasting Voice: The Story of June Wandrey

From Frontline Nurse to Lasting Voice: The Story of June Wandrey

I have been learning about the lives of those who served during the World Wars. Today I would like to share with a little about June Wandrey.

She was born on the 25th of June 1920 in Wautoma, Wisconsin, and grew up in a small American town before everything changed with the start of the Second World War. In 1942, she joined the United States Army Nurse Corps, a role that would put her close to the realities of war. Over the next four years, she served across North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France, and even Germany. Her service earned her eight battle stars, a reflection of just how much she experienced.

After the war, she chose to share the memories of her time as a war nurse. Her book, Bedpan Commando, brought attention to the work of military nurses, it was also published in television and radio. In 1995, she went to Nettuno, Italy, fifty years after the Anzio landings, she even met Bill Clinton during the commemorations.

She stayed closely connected to the veteran community. She passed away on the 27th of November 2005 at the age of 85.

A Passion for Books Lost at Sea: Harry Elkins Widener’s Story

A Passion for Books Lost at Sea: Harry Elkins Widener’s Story

I have been learning about some of the people who were on board the Titanic, and today I want to share with you a little about Harry Elkins Widener.

He was born on the 3rd of January 1885 in Philadelphia, into a wealthy and well-connected family. He developed a love of books. By the time he attended Harvard, graduating in 1907, he had already begun building what many believed could have become one of the greatest private libraries of his time.

Harry cared about detail, condition, and history. Those who knew him spoke of his enthusiasm and warmth.

In April 1912, he boarded the Titanic at Cherbourg with his parents, returning home. When the ship hit the iceberg on the 14th of April, everything changed. His mother thankfully survived, but Harry, his father, and others that were close to him were tragically lost in the freezing Atlantic. He was only 27 years old at the time.

His mother chose to honour him. In 1915, she funded the Widener Memorial Library at Harvard, this ensured that his love of books would continue to shape future generations.

Do you think legacy is shaped more by what we achieve, or by what others choose to remember about us?

Sekhmet: The Lioness Who Could Destroy-and Restore the World

Sekhmet: The Lioness Who Could Destroy-and Restore the World

I have been finding out a little bit about the ancient Egyptian gods, and this time I want to talk about Sekhmet, who to me feels both terrifying and protective in equal measure.

In the earliest beliefs, Sekhmet was closely linked to the sun god Ra. She was often described as his daughter, and was said to have been created from his own power. When people turned away from him, it was Sekhmet who was sent to restore order.

She was usually depicted as a lioness, and that image alone says a lot. A lioness does not act without reason, but when she does, she is unstoppable. Sekhmet evolved to represent war, destruction, and the fierce heat of the sun at its most unforgiving.

But, Sekhmet was not just feared, she was also  respected and they even relied on her. Over time, she became associated with healing as well as harm. Priests of Sekhmet were known as skilled healers, and it was believed that the same power that could bring disease could also take it away.

One of the most powerful stories tells us of how her destruction became so great that even Ra feared that it would never end. To stop her, he tricked her into drinking red-coloured beer, which she thought was blood. As she drank it, her fury started to fade. It is a story that is relatable.  Emotions, like anger can take hold, and how we all at some time need to be brought back under control.

She represents to me, the intensity of emotion, the danger of losing control, but also the ability of restoration.

Do you think people feared Sekhmet more for her power to destroy, or respected her more for her ability to restore balance?

Image info:

The triad of Memphis, Ptah (father), Sekhmet (mother), and Nefertem (son)

The Forgotten Flight Nurse: Reba Z. Whittle’s Wartime Ordeal

The Forgotten Flight Nurse: Reba Z. Whittle’s Wartime Ordeal

I have been finding out about some of the incredible people who served in the World Wars. Today I want to share with you a little bit about Reba Z. Whittle.

She was born on the 19th of August 1919 in Rocksprings, Texas, and she chose to become a nurse. After completing her training, she joined the United States Army Nurse Corps in 1941.

She trained as a flight nurse in 1943. These were the nurses that worked caring for wounded soldiers mid-air, often without a doctor there. By early 1944, she was sent to England, where she flew dozens of missions, helping to evacuate the injured.

On the 27th of September 1944, everything changed. Her aircraft was hit by German fire and crashed. She was injured and disoriented but managed to escape, only to be captured. She became the only American military woman held as a prisoner of war in the European theatre.

She was moved between hospitals and camps, even helping to care for other prisoners in spite of her own injuries. Eventually, after months in captivity, she was released in early 1945 and was able to return home. She received honours for her service, but the effects of her experience did not fade.

After the war, she did struggle with ongoing physical and emotional wounds. She looked for recognition and support, and faced a long and difficult process before she received partial acknowledgement. Even then, it never really reflected what she had endured.

She was overlooked for far too long. It makes me wonder how many others were in similar situations, long after the war had ended.