Damon Mcknight
Vivian Bullwinkel was an Australian Army nurse during World War II and the sole surviving nurse of the Bangka Island Massacre, where 21 of her fellow nurses were killed by Japanese soldiers. Bullwinkel survived a gunshot wound and spent 3.5 years in captivity before being freed and returning to Australia, where she was honoured for her bravery and dedication to the nursing profession. She received numerous awards, including the Florence Nightingale Medal, and was the first female trustee of the Australian War Memorial. Bullwinkel devoted her life to honouring her fallen comrades, improving conditions for nurses, and serving in various leadership roles in the healthcare sector. Her legacy is remembered through various dedications and memorials across Australia, including the naming of buildings and scholarships in her honour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 18 December 1915 |
| Place of Birth | Kapunda, South Australia |
| Parents | George Albert and Eva Bullwinkel |
| Siblings | John |
| Education | Broken Hill High School |
| Career | Nurse and midwife |
| Nursing Training | Broken Hill and District Hospital |
| Worked at | Jessie McPherson Hospital in Melbourne, Kia-Ora Hospital in Hamilton, Victoria, Fairfield Hospital in Melbourne, Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital |
| War Service | Australian Army Nursing Service (AANS), Royal Australian Air Force (rejected due to flat feet) |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Awards and Honours | Florence Nightingale Medal, MBE, AO, Royal Red Cross Medal |
| Marriage | Colonel F.W. Statham in 1977 |
| Death | 3 July 2000 |
| Legacy | Survivor of the Bangka Island Massacre, Director of Nursing at Fairfield Hospital, member of the Council of the Australian War Memorial, first female trustee of the Australian War Memorial, President of the Australian College of Nursing, honoured with a common room named after her at the Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE, the hall at her alma mater was named the Vivian Bullwinkel Drill Hall |
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What You'll Learn
Vivian Bullwinkel's survival of the Bangka Island Massacre
Vivian Bullwinkel was the sole surviving nurse of the Bangka Island Massacre, which took place on 16 February 1942. Bullwinkel and 21 other nurses from the Australian Army Nursing Service, along with a civilian woman, were captured by Japanese soldiers on Radji Beach, Bangka Island, in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia).
The nurses, along with soldiers and wounded patients, had been awaiting rescue on the beach. The Japanese soldiers shot and bayoneted the soldiers and ordered the nurses and the civilian woman to wade into the sea, still wearing their grey uniforms and Red Cross armbands. The women were then machine-gunned from behind. Bullwinkel was struck by a bullet that passed through her body, but she survived by feigning death until the Japanese soldiers left. She hid for 12 days with British Army Private Cecil George Kingsley, tending to his severe wounds, before being captured.
Bullwinkel spent three and a half years in captivity in a series of prison camps on Bangka Island and in Sumatra. She was forced to wear a water bottle on her hip to conceal her wound, as the Japanese would have killed her if they had known she had survived and witnessed the massacre. She was one of just 24 of the 65 nurses who had been on board the SS Vyner Brooke to survive the war.
After the war, Bullwinkel testified to war crimes at the Tokyo Tribunal in 1946. She retired from the military in 1947 and became Director of Nursing at Melbourne's Fairfield Hospital, now known as the Vivian Bullwinkel Lodge aged care facility. She devoted the rest of her life to nursing and honouring those who died on Bangka Island, raising funds for a nurses' memorial and serving on committees such as the Council of the Australian War Memorial and the Australian College of Nursing. She received numerous honours and awards, including the Florence Nightingale Medal, an MBE, and the AM.
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Her work as Director of Nursing at Melbourne's Fairfield Hospital
After retiring from the army in 1947, Vivian Bullwinkel became the Director of Nursing at Melbourne's Fairfield Hospital. She dedicated her life to the nursing profession and honouring those killed on Bangka Island. She raised funds for a memorial for the nurses and served on numerous committees, including the Council of the Australian War Memorial, and later became the president of the Australian College of Nursing.
In 1975, Matron Bullwinkel organised and led a nursing team that travelled to Sydney to board a flight to Vietnam as part of Operation Babylift. This operation involved the mass airlift of Vietnamese orphans to Australia and was chosen for its specialist facilities.
Bullwinkel was recognised for her contributions with numerous honours and awards, including the Florence Nightingale Medal, an MBE, and the AO. She was also appointed the first female trustee of the Australian War Memorial Council. In 1977, she married Colonel Francis West Statham, becoming Vivian Statham.
In 1992, Bullwinkel returned to Bangka Island to unveil a shrine to the nurses who had perished during the war. She passed away on 3 July 2000, aged 84, in Perth, Western Australia, from a heart attack. In 2001, she was posthumously inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women, and in 2019, she was memorialised in mosaic banners installed at the Repatriation General Hospital in Heidelberg, Victoria.
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Her role in honouring those killed on Bangka Island
Vivian Bullwinkel was the sole surviving nurse of the Bangka Island Massacre, in which 21 of her fellow nurses were killed by Japanese troops on Radji Beach, Bangka Island, on 16 February 1942. Bullwinkel was struck by a bullet that passed through her body, but she survived by feigning death until the Japanese soldiers left. She spent three and a half years in captivity.
After the war, Bullwinkel returned to Australia and contacted the families of the nurses who had died. She shared their final words, including those of Sister Esther Sarah Jean Stewart, who said, "Girls, take it, don't squeal." Bullwinkel devoted herself to honouring those killed on Bangka Island. She raised funds for a nurses' memorial and served on numerous committees, including the Council of the Australian War Memorial and later as president of the Australian College of Nursing.
In 1992, Bullwinkel returned to Bangka Island to unveil a shrine to the nurses who had not survived the war. She died in 2000, and in 2022, a statue was dedicated to her at the Australian War Memorial, recognising her as a female war hero. The Australian War Memorial also holds letters written to Bullwinkel from relatives of the murdered nurses, acknowledging the impact of her efforts to honour those killed.
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Her awards and honours, including the Florence Nightingale Medal
Vivian Bullwinkel was an Australian Army nurse during World War II. She was the sole surviving nurse of the Bangka Island Massacre, where 21 of her fellow nurses were killed by Japanese soldiers. Bullwinkel spent three and a half years in captivity and survived a near-fatal gunshot wound.
Bullwinkel's bravery and dedication to the nursing profession were recognized through numerous awards and honours, including the prestigious Florence Nightingale Medal. This medal, named after the founder of modern nursing, is awarded by the International Committee of the Red Cross to nurses who have demonstrated exceptional courage and commitment to the welfare of those in their care. The Florence Nightingale Medal is one of the highest international distinctions a nurse can receive, recognizing extraordinary service that goes above and beyond the call of duty.
In addition to the Florence Nightingale Medal, Bullwinkel received several other notable awards. She was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), recognizing her outstanding contributions to the British Empire or to a particular field or area of activity. This honour acknowledges distinguished service and achievements that have had a significant impact. Bullwinkel was also made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO), which recognizes Australian citizens who have demonstrated outstanding achievement or meritorious service. This honour celebrates individuals who have made a substantial contribution to their community, state, or nation, and whose achievements have had a lasting impact.
Furthermore, Bullwinkel received the 1939-1945 Star, the Pacific Star, the War Medal, and the Australian Service Medal. These medals specifically acknowledge those who served in World War II and made invaluable contributions to the war effort. The 1939-1945 Star recognizes service during a specified period of time, while the Pacific Star honours those who served in the Pacific region. The War Medal is awarded for full-time service during the war, and the Australian Service Medal recognizes both military and civilian contributions to Australia's military operations.
Bullwinkel's awards and honours reflect the profound respect and gratitude that her country and the international community had for her selfless dedication, courage, and compassion. These recognitions not only celebrate her own achievements but also serve as a reminder of the sacrifice and resilience of nurses during times of conflict.
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Her advocacy for improved nursing salaries and conditions
After returning to Australia, Vivian Bullwinkel had a successful nursing career, receiving numerous honours, including the Florence Nightingale Medal, an MBE, and the Order of Australia. She was also the first female trustee of the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
Bullwinkel was instrumental in pushing for improvements in nursing salaries and conditions. She helped establish the Melbourne Nurses Memorial Centre, dedicated to the welfare and advancement of nurses. She advocated for moving nursing education into universities, recognising the importance of academic training in the profession. Bullwinkel served on the Victorian Nurses Wages Board, working tirelessly to ensure nurses received fair compensation for their crucial work.
Bullwinkel's efforts extended beyond salary negotiations. She understood that improving working conditions for nurses was equally vital. Her work with the Melbourne Nurses Memorial Centre demonstrates her commitment to providing nurses with the support and resources they needed to thrive in their careers.
Bullwinkel's advocacy for improved nursing salaries and conditions was driven by her own experiences as a nurse and a deep sense of justice. She recognised the value and importance of the nursing profession and dedicated her life to honouring and improving the profession. Her work left a lasting impact on the nursing community in Australia, ensuring that nurses received the recognition, compensation, and working conditions they deserved.
Bullwinkel's efforts to improve nursing salaries and conditions were recognised and appreciated by the nursing community. Her work laid the foundation for future advancements in nursing education and professional development, helping to elevate the status and recognition of nurses in Australia.
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Frequently asked questions
Vivian Bullwinkel was an Australian Army nurse during World War II. She was the sole surviving nurse of the Bangka Island Massacre, where 21 of her fellow nurses were killed by Japanese soldiers on Radji Beach, Bangka Island, in 1942.
Vivian Bullwinkel's bravery and resilience during her captivity on Bangka Island inspired future generations of Australians. She devoted her life to the nursing profession and honouring those killed on Bangka Island, raising funds for a nurses' memorial and serving on committees such as the Council of the Australian War Memorial. She also pushed for improving salaries and conditions for nurses and helped establish the Melbourne Nurses Memorial Centre.
Vivian Bullwinkel received numerous awards and honours throughout her life, including the Florence Nightingale Medal, an MBE, and the Order of Australia. She was also the first female trustee of the Australian War Memorial.
