Victoria, British Columbia
Mrs. Thomas is a retired lieutenant who served as a Nursing Sister in the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps during the Second World War. She was a volunteer for the Royal United Services Institute in the 1970s, where she performed numerous jobs, including sending newsletters to members and keeping in touch with Veterans in need or in the hospital. Mrs. Thomas was the first woman to serve as secretary-treasurer for the Institute and she also served as president of the Nursing Sisters Association for many years, holding executive positions in the now closed Ex-Service Women’s Branch 182. Mrs. Thomas was instrumental in having two plaques erected to remember all Nursing Sister servicewomen from the Second World War at Langford’s Memorial Park. The plaques were designed by Mrs. Thomas and former Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Servicewoman, Barbara Duncan. Mrs. Thomas served for many years on the God’s Acre Candlelight Committee, and has never shied away from talking to youth about her time in military service. She has spent countless hours working with Veterans to help them apply for benefits from Veterans Affairs Canada and visiting those living at Broadmead Lodge, providing them with comfort and necessities.