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THE CANADIAN STATESMAN, OCTOBER 10,2001 PAGE 3 The legacy of Mabel Emma Bruce Nurse's war medals find a home at Bowmanville hospital BY JENNIFER STONE Staff Writer BOWMANVILLE - No one is completely sure what happened to Mabel Emma Bruce after the First World War, but the medals she earned as a nurse during the Great War have found a home in Bowmanville. Ms. Bruce, the first superintendent of nursing at what was then known as Alexander Hospital, now Lakcridgc Health Bowmanville, served as a member of the first Canadian Field Ambulance during the First World War. She received three medals, including including the Royal Red Cross Insignia, bestowed upon her by King George IV at Buckingham Paiacc. ; But, until recently, most of her medals were stored by Veteran's Affairs Affairs in Ottawa. "It started when I delved into parts of the hospital's history," says Les Trotman, a member of the hospital's newsletter team. "I noticed that some of her medals had been sent to her in Toronto, and had been returned about a week later." v The medals were sent to Toronto in 1925, and "I have a letter from Veteran's Veteran's Affairs, saying the medals were sent... and returned, either person unknown unknown or gone away," says Mr. Trotman, Trotman, who is also a veteran. "I was the next person, 76 years later, to inquire about them." ■: Veteran's Affairs was able to pro-- vide the medals to the hospital. > Soon, the newsletter team was in touch with someone in England, who tyas able to provide them with a Royal Red Cross Insignia, and the Association Association of Hospital Volunteers "paid for it and got it here." The insignia was placed with Ms. Bruce's other medals and are now displayed in a shadow box in the hospital's new eye clinic. The display is a "gift from the hospital vol- ic details of why the medal was be- "My guess would be that she mere- slowed on Ms. Bruce arc not known, iy tended to the wounded on the front he says. line," he says. Hooper's Jewellers A portrait of Mabel Emma Bruce, the first superintendent of nursing at Bowmanville hospital. Medals awarded to her during the First World War are now on display at the hospital. unteers to the hospital," says Mr. Trot- particularly precious, says Mr. Trotman. Trotman. man, noting it was given to only five The Royal Red Cross Insignia is per cent of women who served. Spccif- TPpüôi? While enjoying Applefest, stop by to check out our Halloween deals! 13 King Street West, Downtown "The Core Of Bowmanville" Join us during APPLE FESTIVAL A sale you can really sink your teeth into!! Pick an Apple SAVE 10% - 25% And you keep the apple. Excludes sale items, repairs and batteries. See store for details. 1 '"'"'i All Wittnaue. Watches g I Costume Jewellery 3 pc. 10 karat Gold "Singapore 4gtyle Necklace| i Bracelet and Met Set > \ ■ .» y ^ Aâmited Quantityy'^ ■ BSbhBHRRF'* idhsU •»* I (Great Bridal | ■1WkweUerv, ' -- ifm All In Stock i Precious Momè^ «slS OOper's Jewellers Ltd. Your Family Jeweller Since 1945 Watchmaker and Goldsmith on Premises 39 King Street West, Bowmanville 905-623-5747 Home sales up over last year DURHAM - House sales in Durham jumped almost 35 per cent this August from the same time last year, and even recent recent world events don't seem to be impacting impacting the market too much, suggests suggests the [Greater Toronto Toronto Home Builder's Association. Association. Durham led [the GTA to a [strong showing showing in August [with house and 'condominium •sales totalling [314, compared |to only 233 in ithe same 'month last [year. Other [communities 'in the Greater ^Toronto Area [also experienced experienced growth [but not as substantial, substantial, as that !in Durham. •! In mid-Sep- [tember, following following news [about terrorist [attacks in the [United States, [sales did slow [temporarily, reports Patrick I.P'Hanlon, the [association [president, [However, he 'adds, sales [have already [begun to pick :(tp again. September September results [will be available available . in mid- i.Qctobcr. ■ v V r I i 1 ', ~ - •. ; f.u : : f! V* • V*. • ' F .• m Bntetta*® f-2 f ,J rl F> 7 rSA , , n . > Un) ' n 11 C ' ' 'k'Mm WiKM^^mW^MnCmmwiMWiCfWmmWU 1 Mmê : If /> (C JiJs \CvJa Jj 'lu 'C ' ( C C' il Ij IC/if ^2*% • ii-v/' ' , -two- vjf- ■•/rl .BSÏHsÎMfîEIlISSEIjît Saturday, October 13th 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. © FREE ADMBSSB&ffl • FREE PARKING Bowmanville Apple Festival 2001 • Hot Apple Fritters • Fresh Cider • Huge Tents Filled with Crafts • Apples from Local Growers • Chain Saw Woodcarving • Lots of Fun for the Whole Family ... in an 1890 Victorian Downtown Come and Join the Cum