Docker, Betty Bristow (1920-2001)

Field of activity
Servicewoman, Nurse and Matron
NLA Persistent Identifier
http://nla.gov.au/nla.party-765085

Biographies

The funeral service for former Group Officer Betty Docker, aged 81, was held at the Royal Military College, Duntroon. Director of the Royal Australian Air Force Nursing Service (RAAFNS) Docker trained at the Alfred Hospital, Melbourne. She then joined the hospital staff before enlisting with the RAAFNS in 1944. During her time in the service she fought for change so married women could continue on as nurses and women could reach the highest ranks - something not allowed previously. After 28 years with the RAAFNS Docker retired in 1975 having been awarded The Royal Red Cross (2nd Class), 1968; Royal Red Cross, 1970; the Florence Nightingale Medal, 1971 and the National Medal in 1977.

  • September 1939 Commenced nursing training at the Alfred Hospital, Melbourne
  • 1943 - 1944 Staff member at the Alfred Hospital
  • 1944 Joined the Royal Australian Air Force Nursing Service (RAAFNS)
  • 1944 - 1950 Posted to Aeromedical Evacuation Duties and Japan Occupation Force
  • 1965 - 1967 Assistant to the Director of Nursing Service
  • 1967 - 1969 Supervised the flight nursing staff to and from Vietnam
  • 1967 - 1969 Matron of No 4 RAAF Hospital, Butterworth, Malaysia
  • 1 January 1968 Awarded the Royal Red Cross (2nd Class) Medal
  • 1969 Presented with the Queen's Honorary Nursing Sister (QHNS) Award
  • 1969 - 1975 Director of Nursing Service
  • 13 June 1970 Awarded the Royal Red Cross Medal
  • 1971 Awarded the Florence Nightingale Medal for distinguished service
  • 1975 Retired from the RAAFNS, after 28 years of service
  • 14 July 1977 Awarded the National Medal

View the full record at Australian Women's Register

Related people and organisations

Australian Women's Register

Resources for Betty Bristow Docker

Selected resources (4)

Australian Women's Register

  1. A true Nightingale in a shining uniformSydney Morning Herald Obituaries 28 : A true Nightingale in a shining uniform
    Glendinning, Lee
    [2001]
  2. Story of the RAAF nursing service : 1940-1990
    Halstead, Gay.
    [1994]
    Published: Nungurner Press
  3. Who's who in Australia, 1971
    Legge, J S
    [1971]
    Published: The Herald and Weekly Times
  4. Australian War Memorial Research Centre: Commandant Janice Webb and Wing Officer Betty Docker (1967)
    Colour photograph taken at Vung Tau, South Vietnam. 1967. Commandant Janice Webb (later Hilton), Australian Red Cross (ARC) (left), and Wing Officer Betty Docker, Matron of 4 RAAF Hospital at Butterworth, Malaysia, standing on the airstrip tarmac beside a United States Army refuelling truck. The two women had just supervised the pre-flight care and loading of sick patients and wounded servicemen being evacuated (medivacs) aboard an RAAF C130-E aircraft.
    P02017.027

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  1. Docker, Betty Bristow (1920-2001)
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  1. Daring caring in war's skies.(Features)(Obituary)
    The Australian (National, Australia)
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  3. A List of the Lancashire Wills, Proved Within the Archdeaconry of Richmond ..
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    [ Book : 1891 ]
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  1. THE SOCIAL ROUND.
    The Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 - 1929) Saturday 24 July 1926 p 12 Article
    ... B. Docker; Mrs. Arthur Cud more. Mrs. Lavington Bonython, Mrs. L. E. Clarke, Misses Alison Thomas, ... Nancy Rymill, Nancy Bowman, Mary Bowman, Nancy Lewis, Betty Ann Hill, Mary Ross, Betty Bony thon, Ada Bonython, Gwen Morris. Betty Tolmer, Audrey Young, .Mollie Finlay son, Phoenice Armstrong. Alleyne ... 3091 words
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  2. Family Notices
    The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1956) Monday 14 February 1955 p 13 Family Notices
    ... Hcrbert me»'', much KCdr"h.Uv,!b!lnd of Wtft. and dearly «n.?diÄer 0I Kathleen, Betty, knewDnlrn1, ~^Ved ... Fehruary 12, at a private hospital, Frank Bristow, of 9 Wright street, East Kew. loved husband of Alma ... Beverley (Mrs. Opie) and Jen- nifer (Mrs. Docker), loved great aunt of Keith" Opie. SARGENT-On February ... 3253 words
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  3. Family Notices
    The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1956) Monday 27 March 1950 p 10 Family Notices
    ... husband ol Ethel. (No flowers by request.) DOCKER.-On March 25, at private hospital. Melbourne. Agnes Nellena Marlon (Len), dearly loved wife ol John Bristow Docker, of Wagga, N.8.W.. and loving mother ol ... (Corbett).-On March 21, at Rushworth B.N.H., to Betty and Jack (Stanhope)-a daughter (Carole Joy.) ... 5964 words
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