While becoming a centenarian is getting more common these days, Edith Pollard who will turn 100 on April 21 at Marco Polo Cordeaux Lodge, served as a nurse overseas in the Second World War and has some stories to tell.

Known then as Sister Edith Peacock or Lieutenant Edith Peacock, she is mentioned in several books regarding her nursing of patients during the Second World War.

Edith met and fell in love with ambulance driver Arthur Pollard and they became engaged while serving together in Jacquinot Bay, New Guinea, and married on June 5, 1946.

Edith briefly recounts her war experiences, “I trained for nursing at the Royal General Hospital, Newcastle from 1936-1940. At that time one had to be 25 years of age to enlist. I joined the Army Nursing Service in 1942.

“My first service began at Concord Military Hospital where I worked in the eye ward - convoys of soldiers came for treatment.

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“There were many who had lost one or both eyes, boys and men who were blinded. I remember long lines of men who had to have their eye sockets irrigated.

“Patients were given very good therapy. Concerts would come and there would be lots of entertainment.

“From here I was posted to Hay - a big hospital with Italian and Japanese prisoners of war. The Italians had a terrible fight in their compound. Our hospital was unable to contain the wounded and the town theatre had to open as well.

“From Hay I was moved to Goulburn; this was a hard hospital to cope with. The men were in a bad mental state. lt was wonderful to have a call to prepare for overseas duty, we had just a few days to get ready.

“I left the ship in a port in New Britain called Jacquinot Bay. We were given a boat drill every day with the emphasis to jump off well away from the ship. What a welcome we got with several earth tremors on that day!

“The electrical storms there were severe and the mosquitoes caused so much malaria - we were given Atabrine tablets causing a yellow tinge to the skin and our beds had to be netted tightly.

“One night a large python crawled into the bed of another sister next to mine, and curled up whilst she slept.

“There was a lot of pneumonia, malaria and mental illnesses. The Armistice was signed during my service time in New Guinea.

“We had to take in many who had been imprisoned by the Japanese (mainly Asian and Indian prisoners of war).

“They were in a shocking condition - starved and had been ill-treated. This was the hardest nursing I ever had to do.”

Edith is a remarkable lady who will celebrate her 100th ​birthday at Marco Polo Cordeaux Lodge in Unanderra. Visit Marco Polo at marcopolo.org.au or call 4272 7700.