Helen Gillespie
Encyclopedia
Brigadier
Dame Helen Shiels Gillespie, DBE
, RRC
, QHNS (1898–1974) was a British
nursing matron during World War II
.
From 1952 until her retirement on 31 July 1956 on completion of her term, Gillespie served as Matron-in-Chief of Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps
(QAIMNS/QARANC). Helen Gillespie was appointed Honorary Nursing Sister to the Queen on 25 June 1952, succeeding Anne Thomson
.
in 1954.
Brigadier
Brigadier is a senior military rank, the meaning of which is somewhat different in different military services. The brigadier rank is generally superior to the rank of colonel, and subordinate to major general....
Dame Helen Shiels Gillespie, DBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, RRC
Royal Red Cross
The Royal Red Cross is a military decoration awarded in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth for exceptional services in military nursing.The award was established on 27 April 1883 by Queen Victoria, with a single class of Member...
, QHNS (1898–1974) was a British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
nursing matron during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
From 1952 until her retirement on 31 July 1956 on completion of her term, Gillespie served as Matron-in-Chief of Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps
Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps
Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps is the nursing branch of the British Army and part of the Army Medical Services....
(QAIMNS/QARANC). Helen Gillespie was appointed Honorary Nursing Sister to the Queen on 25 June 1952, succeeding Anne Thomson
Anne Thomson
Brigadier Dame Anne Thomson, DBE, RRC was a British nursing sister, matron and administrator.She served as:Anne Thomson was the first QAIMNS Nursing Officer ever to reach the rank of Brigadier in the British Army, which she did in 1950. Four years later, she was named a Colonel Commandant of the...
.
Honours
She was named a Dame Commander of the Order of the British EmpireOrder of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
in 1954.