Dame Helen Cargill | |
|---|---|
 Cargill in 1950 | |
| Born | (1896-10-01)1 October 1896 |
| Died | 4 December 1969(1969-12-04) (aged 73) |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Branch | Royal Air Force |
| Service years | 1923–1952 |
| Rank | Air Commandant |
| Commands | Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service (1948–52) |
| Conflicts | Second World War |
| Awards | Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire Royal Red Cross Commander of the Order of St John |
Air CommandantDame Helen Wilson Cargill,DBE, RRC, CStJ (1 October 1896 – 4 December 1969) was a British nurse andRoyal Air force officer. From 1948 to 1952, she was Matron-in-Chief ofPrincess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service.[1]
Cargill was born on 1 October 1896, the daughter of William Cargill and his wife, Jane Elizabeth Murphy. They lived at 11 Cluny Avenue inMorningside, Edinburgh.[2] She was educated at St Bride's School,Edinburgh. From 1919 to 1923, she trained as a nurse atSt George's Hospital, ateaching hospital in London.[1]
In June 1923, Cargill joined the newly re-namedPrincess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service.[3] She was promoted tosister on 1 July 1926,[4] and to senior sister on 1 February 1939.[5] During theinterwar period, she served in the United Kingdom and in the Middle East.[3]
Cargill saw active service during theSecond World War.[3] She was anactingmatron as of June 1941.[6] In the1941 King's Birthday Honours, Cargill was appointed anAssociate of the Royal Red Cross.[6] From 1942 to 1944, she served in the United Kingdom and inAden.[3] Following theNormandy Landings, she was matron of the RAF Hospital inNormandy, France.[3] From September 1944 to May 1945, the end of the war in Europe, she was matron of a hospital inBrussels, Belgium.[3] In the1945 King's Birthday Honours, she was promoted toMember of the Royal Red Cross.[7]
Cargill returned to the United Kingdom after the end of the war and spent the rest of her military career as matron of the RAF Hospital inMatlock, Derbyshire.[3] This was apsychiatric hospital that specialised in the treatment of formerprisoners of war.[3] On 16 July 1948, she was appointed the Matron-in-Chief of Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service.[1][8] On 1 February 1949, when the women's forces were integrated into theBritish Armed Forces, she was granted the rank ofair commandant.[9] She was appointed aCommander of the Order of St John (CStJ) in June 1949,[10] and aDame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the1951 New Year Honours.[11]
Cargill retired from the military due to "medical unfitness for air force service" on 12 May 1952.[1][3][12]
Cargill died on 4 December 1969, aged 73. She was buried with her parents inMorningside Cemetery, Edinburgh, close to their family home. The toppled gravestone lies in the south-west section.
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Matron-in-ChiefPrincess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service 1948–1952 | Succeeded by |