Colonel Elizabeth Smellie Plaque
Municipality/Province: Thunder Bay, ON
Memorial number: 35086-004
Type: Provincial Military Plaque (metal)
Address: Waverley Street
Location: Waverley Park
GPS coordinates: Lat: 48.4367598 Long: -89.2265542
Submitted by: John Kuemmel
This plaque was erected in 1975. It is dedicated to Colonel Elizabeth Smellie.
Inscription found on memorial
COL. ELIZABETH SMELLIE 1884 – 1968
This celebrated Canadian army nurse and public health author-
ity was born in Port Arthur. In 1909 “Beth” Smellie became night
supervisor at McKellar General Hospital. Joining the Royal
Canadian Army Medical Corps in 1915, she served in France
and England. Elizabeth Smellie was demobilized in 1920 and
three years later became Chief Superintendent of the Victorian
Order of Nurses for Canada. She re-entered the army in 1940
and a year later supervised the organization of the Canadian
Women’s Army Corps. The first woman to attain the rank of
Colonel in Canada’s Armed Forces, Col. Smellie achieved many
honours, including Commander of the British Empire and the
Royal Red Cross Medal. After World War II she returned to the
V.O.N., and retired in 1947.
Street view
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