A "lasting tribute" to a Wheatbelt woman, one of 22 Australian nurses killed in the Bangka Island massacre 80 years ago, will be unveiled in Toodyay today.
Key points:
- Alma May Beard, from Toodyay, went to war as a nurse in 1941
- Today marks 80 years since 22 Australian nurses were killed by Japanese soldiers on Bangka Island
- A memorial honouring Ms Beard will be displayed in the Wheatbelt town
Alma May Beard was just 29 years old when she was shot by Japanese soldiers on Radji Beach, on Bangka Island near Sumatra, on February 16, 1942.
Just days before, Ms Beard was among 65 nurses onboard the SS Vyner Brooke, the last ship carrying evacuees from Singapore, when it was bombed by the Japanese.
About 150 survivors, including 22 nurses, washed up on Bangka Island.
Despite surrendering to the Japanese, the men were shot and bayoneted, and the women were forced to wade into the sea, where they were then shot from behind.
"One cannot imagine what would have gone through their minds, walking into the ocean knowing that was going to be the last thing they ever did," Colin Bird, an affiliate member of the Toodyay RSL, said.
Moments before she was shot, Ms Beard turned to Sister Vivian Bullwinkel.
"Bully, there are two things in life I've always hated, the Japanese and the sea, and today I have ended up with them both," she said.
Ms Bullwinkel was the sole survivor of the massacre.
Gone but not forgotten
While history buff David Sims knew the story of the Bangka Island massacre and Ms Bullwinkel, he had never heard of Ms Beard.
It wasn't until a doctor's appointment that he discovered the local connection to the tragic event.
Inside the Toodyay Medical Centre, which is named after Ms Beard, is a small display about her life.
"The penny dropped; there were 21 other girls that never survived, and they have to be remembered," he said.
"These nurses, if they'd come across a wounded Japanese soldier, they most probably would have tended his wounds without hesitating.
"And yet, they met this brutal end to their life. It's unbelievable.
"These people can't be forgotten, especially women that played a big role in both the wars."
Mr Sims approached the Toodyay RSL about constructing a memorial in town to honour Ms Beard – an idea that quickly gained support amongst RSL members and the wider community.
"It seemed to have really struck a nerve in the local community," Toodyay RSL secretary Bob Wood said.
"Alma is still very much seen as one of ours.
"It's important to remember the absolutely incredible things that so many ordinary people did during the time of great stress during the Second World War."
The memorial, a 2-metre-tall metal silhouette of a wartime nurse, set in Toodyay stone, will now stand outside the medical centre on Stirling Terrace.
Mr Bird, who led the project, said more people will now be able to learn about Ms Beard's life and sacrifice.
"When anyone comes into town and drives past the medical centre, this memorial will stand out," he said.
"It'll be a lasting tribute to her."
Three other nurses from Western Australia were killed on Bangka Island – Minnie Ivy Hodgson from Wickepin, and Peggy Everett Farmaner and Bessie Wilmott, both from Perth.
Searching for relatives
Ms Beard was born on January 13, 1913, to Edward William and Katherine May Beard at Pell Mell — the family farm in Bejoording, north of Toodyay.
She had three siblings – Kathleen, Doreen and Arthur – and attended the Toodyay State School before training to be a nurse at Royal Perth Hospital.
She worked at one of the larger hospitals in Sydney to gain experience, but as the war crept closer she returned to WA and enlisted in the Australian Army Nursing Service.
In June 1944, the Toodyay Herald reported Ms Beard, described as a "fine 'Daughter of Australia'", was "missing, believed killed" near Sumatra.
Ms Beard did not have any children when she was sent to Singapore with the 2/13th Australian General Hospital.
Mr Bird said he hopes to one day find descendants of Ms Beard's family.
"There are Beards (around), but nobody's come out of the woodwork yet," he said.
"She had only immediate family, but I'm sure there's ancestors around."