When it came to war in early times, WWI and WWII, men were generally the focus. However, many women also served, primarily as nurses. Thanks to the research of G. William (Bill) Streeter, local historian in Southampton (Saugeen Shores), their stories are now being told.
Elizabeth Nora Campbell
Elizabeth Nora Campbell was born in Port Elgin on June 28, 1884 to Scottish and Irish parents. After High School graduation in Port Elgin, Nora, as she became known, enrolled in nursing training at the Toronto General Hospital, where she graduated and worked until 1915.
On April 7, 1915, 39 Nurses from Toronto General, enlisted in the Canadian Army Medical Corps.
Soon after that, Nora arrived at #1 Canadian General Hospital in Étables, France. In July 1915, she left France for England and a few days later left for the Mediterranean. There was violent fighting in North Eastern Greece that involved the British Expeditionary Force fighting against the Turks, who had allied with the Germans. The Canadian Army Medical Corps opened a Hospital there as #4 Canadian General Hospital.
Nora served in Greece until December 1916. Unfortunately, she contracted bacillary dysentery and became very ill. After five weeks, her condition was not improving, and she was removed to Malta. On February 2, 1917, she was well enough to be returned to England.
After an extended period of rest, she was assigned to Lord Kitchener’s Hospital and the Canadian Military Hospital in Basingstoke England, for the duration of the war and returned to Canada in July 1919.
On December 10, 1919, she married Dr. John McLeod, Medical Doctor, who was born in Southampton. He was in practice in Kincardine when he enlisted in the Canadian Army Medical Corps in 1918. They both worked at the Christie Street Hospital in Toronto after their marriage.
Sadly, Nora passed away from pneumonia following surgery, in March 1932.
She is buried in the Port Elgin Cemetery in a large plot with many of her family.
