Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1916-03-03
HONOLULU nurse
GIVEN MEDAL BY
BELGIAN E II Queen
Christina Hunter Sub Matron
of Hospital Three Miles
From Dunkirk Trenches

The many friends OF Miss Christina
Hunter, former Honolulu nurse, Will
be glad to hear that she has been the
recipient of signal honors at the hands
of Belgium queen. and is performing
great and noble work in that war
torn lcnd
Miss Hunter was one of four nurses
sent from Honolulu shortly after the
outbreak of the hostilities in Europe,
and ever since has been at the battle
fronts Writing to an intimate friend
here she says: ~: 49,.
Il am located IL the hospital neares.
of all to the trenches that they allow
women to get to, 'and have the salts
faction of knowing that none of the
other sisters mas beaten me in this
privilege OF getting experience We
surely get plenty Of that here.
NY present post is in field hos
pital at DunkirA- mot three miles from
the trenches. The Germans could
easily shell us out, but so far they
have respected the hospital flag. am
almost at the trenches, much closer
than any other British, French or Bel
gian sister | am not bound by any
contracts. and can leave whenever !
feel like il.
is Now Sub-matron.
ST was promoted the first of the
year to be sub-matron of this hospital,
won by merit, they tell me.$ / have
been given leave of absence on full
pay. beginning the middle of the
month (January III. But the one
thing ] prize more than any other is
a medal the queen of Belgium pinned
on me in recognition of my work. So
you see feel quite proud that have
been able, in even my small way, to
win such recognition from so distin
guished woman.
But that isn't all. Two of Bel.
GUMS greatest surgeons have asked
me If would care to consider taking
a position here when the war is end.
ed But / don't know what terms
they would propose, so the matter
rests for the time. At present am
on night duty, having charge of an
officers ward. and many time | 60
and look out in the blaekness OF the
night where the cannons roar and
their flashes light up the sky. Then
the ambulance5 begin to roll in and
leave their precious loads of mangled
humanity.
Il have just heard a glowing &C,
count of the bravery and devotion OF
the little band of Scottish nurses in
Serbia. When the Austrians and Bull
garians began to invade that country,
the hospitals had to sreak up, and
everybody fed. The conyalescent
patients had to look out for them
selves The helpless ones were sent
away on bullock carts and lastly the
nursing stan had TO do the best they
could. -
sThey had to tramp is to 80 miles
a day through the snow, sometimes
over painless mountains, and often
with very little food. For eight weeks
they never saw a bed-sleeping in the
snow or in stables beside horses or
donkeys. At times they would fall In
with scattered bands of Serbia's army
and those brave fellows would alwayS
share their last crusts with the Brit.
isli nurses. They say they never will
forget that terrible experience.
MEN. women and children died by
the hundreds from starvation and ex
posture, and the nurses hearts bled for
these poor people. Two of the nurses
had to walk for miles In the snow with
no covefing for their feet butt their |
stockings. We, In our homes of conf
fort and luxury, little know the an
guish and suffering OF these people"