Betty Jeffrey OAM RN
Memorial Service, St Peter's Eastern Hill, Melbourne, 27th September, 2000.
Address by the Rev'd Dr John Davis, Vicar.
A remarkable generation of women found themselves called to serve their country as Army nurses during the Second World War. Within that group there was another smaller number who had to face the most demanding and appalling challenges that any human being can ever face, as Prisoners of War where no rules appeared to apply. For them, the defining years of their lives became those war years of suffering and service.
Betty Jeffrey was one such great Australian. Alongside the name of her even more renowned colleague, Vivian Bullwinkle, so recently departed, the name of Betty Jeffrey, with her good-humoured and determined courage, stands as an example to all. This has been so through the long years since the War. Generations younger than hers have wondered and admired, and placed this story firmly in their memories, helped by books, television series and film. These fine Australians will not be forgotten. This particular individual will not be forgotten.
It is an honour then for those of us who are here in this church today, to in turn gather in such numbers to honour her at this memorial service at the time of her death at the age of 92. We honour Betty Jeffrey and all those who served with her. We give thanks for her long life: we give thanks for a friend and colleague, fellow nurse, companion. We pray for the repose of her soul and wish her now a place of refreshment, light and peace.
Two parts of this service are very special, and now, just having listened to the wonderful tribute from Wilma Young who was alongside Betty in captivity, I must say three.
The Captives' Hymn , written and used in that prison camp is one. The words are before us and we have heard them read and most beautifully sung. The heart-wrenching, aching love and hope that is contained in those words would move a stone. We all have had the opportunity to reflect on this.
The singing at the end of this service of the Christmas hymn 'O Come All Ye Faithful' is another most powerful statement. Firstly of course it could be sung in the camp because it is something that everyone would have been able to remember. But secondly, considered in the context of a prison camp, these words take on a whole new level of meaning. The God who is out there is very close indeed in this hymn. We are urged together to respond in faith and hope and love. The God of all things is born amongst us, also in pretty rudimentary conditions. We are told that the singing of this hymn brought much comfort. And so we will sing it too, with strength and thanksgiving.
That is the note we would wish to hit today: thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving that in the midst of so much that is terrible, it is possible still to offer hope and care and love; to indeed show that there is a better way.
Thanksgiving that ordinary men and women of that generation who were called to do extraordinary things, did so with firm resolve and with the best they could offer.
Thanksgiving that in the years that followed, Betty Jeffrey was able to live a full and fulfilling life.
So then we have gathered, not in sorrow but in thanks.
"Well done, good and faithful servant: enter into your rest."
So our prayer is for her and for those whom she has now joined:
Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord.
And let light perpetual shine upon them.
May they rest in peace.
Amen.
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