December 1915 – obtained General Nursing Certificate – trained at Bendigo Hospital.

April 1916 – September 1916 at Hay Hospital.

November 1916 – May 1917 – At Mena House, Simpson Street, East Melbourne.

29 May 1917 - enlisted - embarked Melbourne on the RMS Khiva, staff nurse.

18 June 1917 disembarked at Bombay and was posted to the Victoria War Hospital for duty.

21 June 1918 – Transferred to Hospital Ship (Sicilia)

24 October 1918 – Transferred to Gerard Freeman Thomas Hospital, Bombay.

28 February 1919 – Embarked SS City of Cairo bound for Australia.

9 May 1919 – discharged from the AANS as a result lymphangitis – an infection of the lymph vessels. Can be a complication from a bacterial infection.

1919 ER Base Hospital, St. Kilda Rd., Nurse.

1921 – Matron at Alexandra Hospital, Alexandra.

1923 – 1924 on the nursing staff of the Bendigo Hospital. Resigned March 1924 – see The Advocate, 20 March 1924.

1924 ER Bendigo Hospital, trained nurse.

From the ODH House Committee report, 7 May 1925 – Minutes of a special meeting of the House Committee convened by the President for considering applications for the position of acting matron for 6 months.

5 applications were received in response to advertisements in the Age and Argus … after carefully considering the applications and testimonials it was unanimously agreed to recommend to the board that Sister McVeigh be appointed and that failing her acceptance, that Sister Ackroyd be communicated with.

From the ODH House Committee report, 22 May 1925 – Sister McVeigh the newly appointed acting matron has written to say that she will commence duty on the 29th inst.

Sister McVeigh of Wagga Wagga accepted the position of acting matron. - £144 per year – Board Minutes 22 May 1925

Sister McVeigh of the Wagga Hospital has been appointed acting matron of the Ovens District Hospital.

The Argus, 1 June 1925.

From the ODH House Committee report, 19 June 1925 – The secretary reported that the acting matron had commenced duty on 29th of May and that Sister Barkes had left on 31st May. She desires a reference from the Board.

From the ODH House Committee reported 25 August 1925 – Matron asks for fresh fish for some of the patients. … agreed to recommend that the secretary obtain a supply of vegetables and that a supply of fish be obtained for one month to ascertain the cost.

From the ODH House Committee reported 29 September 1925 – The engagement of Miss McVeigh as acting matron will terminate on 29th November two months from today.

… Recommended to advertise for a matron in the Age and Argus at a salary of £156-0-0 per year.

From the ODH House Committee Report, 18 December 1925 – The Secretary reported … and that Miss McVeigh had left the institution on the 17th. … Miss McVeigh told me she wanted a letter from the committee.

Frances was Acting Matron at the ODH from 29 May 1925 to 17 December 1925.

Appears to have returned to the Bendigo Hospital as a Sister before being appointed as Matron of the Balranald Hospital.

June 1928 – Matron at Balranald Hospital – See The Riverina Recorder, 9 June 1928. Resigned January 1930 – See The Riverina Recorder, 18 January 1930.

5 July 1929 married Dr. Frank Frederick Coffey in Queensland.

April 1931 – Frank & Francis are in Elliston, S.A.

9 April 1931 – Frank is registered as a medical doctor in South Australia.

COFFEY-On the 14th December at Guildford private hospital to Dr and Mrs F.F. Coffey, Elliston (S.A.) - a daughter, Rosemary McVeigh).

The Argus, Melbourne, 19 December 1931.

ELLISTON ENQUIRY

Mrs. F.F. Coffey (president of Elliston branch of the Country Women’s Association) wrote the Port Lincoln Town Council on Monday night and asked to be supplied with the cost of erecting swings, and so, for a children’s playground. It was agreed that the town clerk (Mr. F.E. Sharley) supply the required information.

Port Lincoln Times, 22 December 1933

January 1935 – Frank is appointed acting superintendent of Northfield Infectious Diseases Hospital, Adelaide. Northfield opened in 1932 at Northfield. It was run by a board of management to care for and isolate people suffering from infectious diseases including influenza, scarlet fever, diphtheria, poliomyelitis and tuberculosis (also known as TB or consumption). Three month appointment only.

1936 – Tara, Queensland. Frank has been appointed as Medical Officer to the Tara hospital in Queensland.

1937 ER living at Flat 3, 81 Roslyn Gardens, Elizabeth Bay.

Appointment – Frank Frederick Coffey is appointed Surgeon-Lieutenant for a period of three years from 12th January. 1937, under the provisions of the Naval Forces Regulations. Extended for 2 years in 1939. Promoted to Surgeon Lieutenant Commander in Oct 1942. Transferred to the Retirement List, 2 May 1943. (Commonwealth Australia Gazettes)

1940 ER Frank is a naval officer, stationed in Darwin. Francis is with him – home duties.

1949 ER living at the corner of Bourke Ave & Hyde Park Road, Lidcombe South

From 1958 Francis & Frank are living at 29A Hyde Park Road, Berala.

6 Oct 1960 – Francis & Frank embarked the Orcades at London bound for San Francisco. Appears to be a round the world trip. Flew into Perth on a Qantas flight EM546 31 Oct 1960.

March 1971 – Charged with conspiracy people in relation to alleged abortions. See Canberra Times, 10 March 1971.

Committed for trial at Sydney Quarter Sessions Aug 8 1872 on conspiracy charges. See Canberra Times, 29 July 1972.

©  Anne Hanson 2023