SISTER AGNES M. TAIT

Addition Info from Geoff Barritt added 2022

Born 1891 - Died 20th June 1955

Sister Tait was born in Fremantle in 1891. The only child of Captain James Tait and Mrs. Agnes Tait. Captain Tait, a Scot, was Deputy Harbour Master at Fremantle. Captain Tait came from Braewick, part of the Shetland Islands off the north coast of Scotland.. He had been a Captain in the Merchant Navy for some years before coming to Fremantle where he joined the Adelaide Steamship Company. He also had an orchard at Carmel which he named "Braewick Orchard".

Miss Tait, of shy, reserved disposition was a music teacher. Against the wishes of her family, Miss Tait commenced her general nursing.

Trained at Perth Public Hospital, where she showed a willingness to work and devotion to duty. At the out break of war in 1914, having completed her training, she joined the Australian Army Nursing Service and served in Egypt, then in a Casual Clearing Station in France and later in Base Hospitals in Europe and in England. For the last two years of the war, she nursed on a Red Cross Hospital Ship bringing wounded servicemen back to Australia.

PHOTOGRAPH OF SISTER TAIT SENT TO THE OWEN FAMILY,
 AT PICKERING BROOK 19th DECEMBER 1908     #1
 

MUSIC CERTIFICATE ISSED BY MISS TAIT TO EMILY WALLIS IN 1909   #2
 

CAPTAIN TOM TAIT     #3

TOM TAIT & MYRTLE WINSOR     #4
 ON THEIR WEDDING DAY 11th NOV 1922

After the war Miss Tait completed her Midwifery Training at King Edward Memorial Hospital and stayed on the trained staff for some time. Later she held various nursing positions. One challenge, which she accepted, was being Matron of a Home for delinquent boys. She returned again to the Staff of King Edward and remained there until the ill health of her father necessitated her retirement. Captain Tait was a member of the Darling Range Road Board and worked hard for the district. The family moved from Carmel and came to live in Railway Road, Kalamunda. Captain Tait died on 11th June, 1942, aged 85 years. Miss Tait lived in the family home caring for her mother and answering the many calls for help, which came from many parts of the district. Her help to Dr. Barber was invaluable. All this was done free of charge. Towards the end of 1949, a District Nurse commenced private practice but this was only temporary. Mrs. Tait died on 19th July, 1950, aged 90 years. Miss Tait lived alone after her mother's death working untiringly.

Sister Tait has been recognized for her tremendous service to the Kalamunda District by having a laneway in Kalamunda named after her and a bench at the entrance to the Kalamunda District Hospital has a plaque dedicated the her.

AGNES HENSWORTH, AGNES TAIT & CLARA HENSWORTH 1949     #5

Every endeavour has been made to accurately record the details however if you would like to provide additional images and/or newer information we are pleased to update the details on this site. Please use CONTACT at the top of this page to email us. We appreciate your involvement in recording the history of our area.

Reference:     Article:       Peter Skehan
                                    Geoff Barritt

                     Images:    1                  Peter Skehan
                                     2                  Lesley Wallis
                                     3, 4, 5          Kalamunda & Districts Historical Society

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