Nora Kathleen Fletcher (1 February 1880 - 18 August 1976), known in later life as Paula Ian Alexander, was a decorated Australian nurse, who led the British Red Cross nurses in France and Belgium as principal matron during World War I.
Six years before World War I broke out, Fletcher moved to England. During this time, her work as a nurse saw her travel to places such French Riviera, Italy and Cairo.[4]
Then, after the war was declared, she joined the British Red Cross in September of 1914. Fletcher was one of the first of the British Red Cross nurses to arrive in France, and she was among the last to leave. She was sent to France, where she was based in Boulogne.[4] She was promoted to matron, taking command of a unit.[6] She soon became the principal matron of all the British Red Cross personnel in France and Belgium hospitals, with up to 400 army sisters under her charge, organising the movement of all women workers who passed through France, Italy, Malta and Egypt[7][2][4] Praise for her work included:
"Miss Fletcher has an extensive knowledge of people and things; she is an excellent organiser, very energetic, tactful, direct and broad-minded, loyal to those whom she serves and is respected by her fellow workers and subordinates."[4]
In 1968, Fletcher's collections of papers, photographs, and medals were donated to the State Library of New South Wales by her brother and sister.[4]
Fletcher, who was also known as Paula Ian Alexander, spent her later life living in Torquay, Devon, England, and died aged 96, in the Ardvar nursing home, on 18 Aug 1976.[10][11]
^"SYDNEY WOMAN DECORATED". The Daily Telegraph. No. 11460. New South Wales, Australia. 2 February 1916. p. 6. Retrieved 11 December 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
^Australian Red Cross Society. New South Wales Division. (1914), "INTERSTATE VISITORS.", The N.S.W. Red Cross record (1, no.6 (June 1915) V), Sydney: The Division, nla.obj-104693969, retrieved 13 December 2024 – via Trove
^"VICE REGAL". Queensland Figaro. Vol. XVII. Queensland, Australia. 19 February 1916. p. 15. Retrieved 14 December 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
^"Nora Fletcher". Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 10 December 2024.