Sister Margaret Augusta de Mestre Memorial Middle Image Image Image Image 0 / 0 - Prev Next Description / Background This memorial is dedicated to Sister Margaret Augusta de Mestre. It is a wooden plaque divided into three sections, including a photograph of Sister de Mestre on the right section and details of her war service on the left section. Both of these sections are protected by panes of glass. The memorial is located on the eastern side remembrance wall within St Margaret's Anglican Church, alongside other memorials. Positioned above it are crossed Australian and United Kingdom flags. Inscription Left section Sister Margaret DeMestre The first A.N.C. Nurse serving in the 2nd Australian Imperial Forces to be killed-in-action during World War II. Sister DeMestre was born in Bellingen on St Margaret's Day, 16 November 1915. She grew up in Bellingen and trained at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney in 1939. In 1940 she enlisted in the [Royal] Australian Nursing Corp and made two trips to the Middle East on the 2/1st Hospital Ship, H.M.A.H.S. Manunda. Whilst the ship was being reconditioned in 1941 she served at the 113th A.G.H. Concord. She rejoined the ship in January 1942. At 10.05am on the 19th February, 1942 Japanese forces bombed Darwin [243 killed, 350 wounded, 8 ships sunk] and the Manunda was badly damaged with 12 killed, including Margaret. Sister Margaret DeMestre is buried in the Darwin War Cemetery. Middle section 2nd/1st H.M.A.H.S "MANUNDA" 103 C.D. Right section [photograph of Sister DeMestre] Related memorials Bellinger First World War Roll of Honour, Bellingen St Margaret's Anglican Church Second World War Honour Roll and Memorial Bell, Bellingen Related links First A.I.F. Nurse Killed In Action (26 Feb 1942) A.l.F. NURSE KILLED - Hospital Ship Hit (26 Feb 1942) KILLED IN ACTION (26 Feb 1942) Veterans listed on this memorial Veterans listed on this memorial Sort by Family nameGiven nameWar Order AscDesc Items per page 1050100- All - Apply Last held rank Given name Family name Conflict/s Service No. Service Campaign Read more Sister Margaret Augusta de Mestre Second World War, 1939–45 NX70211 Australian Army - Second Australian Imperial Force (2nd AIF) view Do you know more about this war Memorial? Click here to learn how you can contribute Sidebar Address St Margaret's Anglican Church 100 Hyde Street Bellingen NSW 2454 Local Government Area Bellingen Shire Setting Building – inside Memorial type Board/roll/plaque/tablet Recorded by Graham Wilson OAM Conflict/s Second World War, 1939–45 Materials Timber