Obituaries Australia

A wide circle of friends will regret to learn of the death of Matron Beatrice Emma Keppel, of the Stanthorpe Hospital, as a result of a motor accident near Stanthorpe on 22nd inst. The late Miss Keppel was a grand-daughter of the late Mr. William Hann, who took up and owned Maryvale and Bluff Downs stations, in the Charters Towers district, and a daughter of the late Mr. Fred Keppel, who owned Victoria Downs and Niall stations in the same area. Miss Keppel was born and brought up in the bush, which partly accounted for her general all-round usefulness, and on leaving school joined the staff of the Charters Towers District Hospital. On the outbreak of the Great War Miss Keppel, then a certified nurse, at once volunteered for service. Being accepted she went to France, accompanied by her brother, William, as a member of the A.I.F. The latter was badly wounded in a battle on the Marne, and died in a Paris hospital, being nursed by his sister up to the time of his death. The sister and brother were a splendid couple, both being of magnificent physique, Miss Keppel standing 6ft. 1in., and her brother 6ft. 4in. On the declaration of peace Miss Keppel returned to Queensland and continued her nursing career, and was eventually appointed to the matronship of the Stanthorpe Hospital ten years ago, a position that she held with the highest credit to herself and the institution, and the benefit of all sufferers who came under her care up to the time of her death. Miss Keppel is survived by her aunt, Mrs. C. W. Clarke, of Maryvale, Charters Towers, who was a daughter of the late William Hann, also a sister, Mrs. I. D. Ferguson, of Lawn Hill, Burketown, a station once owned by the late Frank Hann, a grand-uncle of Miss Keppel; two sisters in the Charters Towers district, and a brother, Fred., owner of Rokeby station, Cape York Peninsula. The late Miss Keppel was a lady of striking personality, a charming manner, and a sweet disposition, and many a North Queenslander will deeply regret the passing of one who was such a true type of that noble band of "women of the west."