Sister Viv [Paperback]
Kieza, Grantlee2024
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Bangka Island, 1942. Australian Army nurse Vivian Bullwinkel was just 26 when Japanese soldiers marched her and her fellow nurses into the shallow waters of a remote beach to be executed. Miraculously, Vivian would be the lone survivor. The Lieutenant-Colonel would also be the first woman to be honoured with a statue at the Australian War Memorial for her extraordinary bravery and service. Growing up in Broken Hill, New South Wales, Vivian started work at a local hospital and joined the Australian Army Nursing Service in World War II. When the Japanese attacked Singapore in 1942, she and 64 other nurses were ordered to evacuate, but soon their ship was bombed by enemy aircraft. Some of the women drowned, but Viv made it to Radji Beach on Bangka Island, off Sumatra, with 21 of her nursing colleagues. There Japanese soldiers forced the women to wade back into the sea, and as Vivian felt a bullet slam into her back, she fell face down into the water then waited to die as the soldiers bayonetted survivors. Somehow Vivian lived.
Main title:
Sister Viv [Paperback] / Grantlee Kieza.
Author:
Kieza, Grantlee, author
Imprint:
Gadigal Country : ABC Books, 2024.©2024
Collation:
viii, 343 pages : illustrations, map ; 24 cm
Notes:
"The inspiring story of the nursing hero who survived a wartime massacre and dedicated her life to saving others"--Cover.Includes bibliographical references (pages 322-343).
ISBN:
97807333432929780733343292
Dewey class:
940.547252092940.547
Language:
English
Subject:
Bullwinkel, Vivian, 1915-2000Australia. Army. Royal Australian Army Nursing Corps -- BiographyNurses -- Australia -- BiographyPrisoners of war -- Indonesia -- Sumatra -- BiographyPrisoners of war -- Australia -- BiographyWomen prisoners of war -- Indonesia -- Sumatra -- BiographyWomen prisoners of war -- Australia -- BiographyWorld War, 1939-1945 -- Women -- Australia -- BiographyWorld War, 1939-1945 -- Prisoners and prisons, Japanese -- BiographyWorld War, 1939-1945 -- Atrocities -- SingaporeSingapore -- History -- Japanese occupation, 1942-1945Biographies
BRN:
552620
More Information:
| Location | Collection | Call number | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beaumaris Library | Adult Non Fiction - Biography | 940.547 BUL | Available |
| Brighton Library | Adult Non Fiction - Biography | 940.547 BUL | On Reserve Shelf - Awaiting collection within 10 days of this date. (Set: 04 Jul 2025) |
| Hampton Library | Adult Non Fiction - Biography | 940.547 BUL | Available |
| Sandringham Library | Adult Non Fiction - Biography | 940.547 BUL | Onloan - Due: 11 Jul 2025 |