Rosa Piper M.B.E

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Collection SummaryRosa Piper was a volunteer for the Red Cross during World War One. She opened her home as a convalescent hospital in 1915 for returning soldiers.BiographyRosa Piper was the daughter of James and Elizabeth Piper of Tamworth and later became a resident of Cronulla. Her home, “Calala”, was located in Parramatta Street and near the corner of Gerrale Street. It was part of the Heart O’ Cronulla subdivision made available for sale in 1908.

She made her home available as a convalescent hospital due to its location near the sea. It was described as being “beautifully and conveniently situated and is in every sense a home.” In July 1915 sick and wounded soldiers returning from active service abroad arrived. The home was only open for a short time closing in December 1916 together with a number of other convalescent homes which had been established elsewhere in the state. This was due to the large amount of military accommodation which by that time had become available.

The property at Cronulla was sold in 1923 to Agnes King and Rosa left the district. Rosa’s connection with the Red Cross did not end there. She went on to work at other Red Cross hospitals as acting matron. In 1920 Rosa Piper was asked by the Red Cross to undertake the work of organising and conducting a newly formed and important department of after-care for soldiers and their dependents. The department was for those soldiers who did not come within the sphere of any other department fund or men who might have been discharged as fit for light duties or convalescent homes. Not long after she started in the aftercare department it was stated that she had ‘her organisation in working order’ and was considering ‘ways and means of starting an invalids’ comforts and children’s clothing fund.” Rosa Piper was honoured with an MBE in 1935 for her indefatigable work for the Red Cross. At that time Miss Piper was senior commandant of the Voluntary Aid Detachments for all of New South Wales.

She spent much of her later years visiting interested groups to talk about the Red Cross. According to one newspaper she “impressed her listeners with a quiet and efficient manner so fitted to her task”. One gathering stated that their meeting “was only representative of all those Voluntary Aids who will keep Miss Piper in their hearts forever”. Her residential address was given as Epping where she lived for her remaining years. She died in 1951 but will always be remembered for her contribution to the local war effort.

Map

Sutherland. 53 : part of B Riding, Parish of Sutherland, County of Cumberland

Kentdale Estate Cronulla : auction sale on the ground Saturday 15th November 1913 at 3 p.m.

Rosa Piper's residence at Cronulla

Details

Lifespanunknown - 1951OccupationRed Cross volunteerShire ExperienceCronulla

Connections

SubjectsPiper, Rosa Elizabeth