Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service (British Army)
Date Of Birth:
10/09/1887
Died:
05/09/1916 (Died of Illness)
Age:
28
Summary
Mary Agnes Doherty was the eldest daughter of Philip and Catherine Doherty. She was born in Magherafelt on 10th September 1887. The 1901 census lists Mary Agnes as age 13 living with the family in Meeting Street, Magherafelt. Philip Doherty was a member of the R.I.C. The 1911 census lists Mary working as a nurse in Mohill, County Leitrim. She later became a nurse in Dublin. Mary volunteered for service and was stationed in a general hospital in France where she was mentioned in despatched by Sir John French. Afterwards she received the award of Royal Red Cross. Sister Doherty went on to Salonika where she contracted malaria. She had returned to duty when she was struck down with dysentery to which she succumbed on 5th September 1916 in Salonika.
Further Information
Mary Agnes Doherty was the eldest daughter of Philip and Catherine Doherty. Philip was born in Donegal and Catherine was born in Mayo. Their first child was born in Mayo so it’s possible they lived there initially.
Mary Agnes Doherty was born in Magherafelt on 10th September 1887. She was the first of the children to be born in Magherafelt.
Family: Philip Doherty, Catherine Doherty, Philip H J Doherty (born about 1887), Mary Agnes Doherty (born 10th September 1887), Roseanna Doherty (born 28th February 1889), William Patrick Doherty (born 2nd June 1891), Norah Doherty (born 20th June 1892), Celina / Selina C Doherty (born 1st February 1894), Martin J Doherty (born 13th May 1895), Thomas J Doherty (born 24th February 1897), Elizabeth J Doherty (born 23rd February 1900).
The 1901 census lists Mary Agnes as age 13 living with the family at house 32 in Meeting Street, Magherafelt, County Londonderry. Philip Doherty was a member of the Royal Irish Constabulary (R.I.C.).
The 1911 census does not list Mary as living with the family at house 34 in Meeting Street, Magherafelt, Londonderry. Her father had by this time retired.
The 1911 census lists Mary Agnes as age 22, working as a nurse for the Pentlands at house 1 in Main Street, Mohill, County Leitrim.
Sister Mary Agnes Doherty later became a nurse in the Police Ward, Steeven's Hospital, Dublin. Dr Steevens' Hospital in Dublin was one of Ireland's most distinguished eighteenth-century medical establishments. It was founded under the terms of the will of Dr Richard Steevens, an eminent physician in Dublin.
Mary volunteered for service and was stationed in a general hospital in France where her work was of such a character that she was mentioned in despatched by Sir John French. Afterwards she received the award of Royal Red Cross (R.R.C.) for her devotion to duty.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 22nd June 1915:
Miss M A Doherty, of Dr Steevens Hospital, and Miss Kathleen Johnston, of the Royal City of Dublin Hospital, have been awarded the decoration of the Royal Red Cross Civil Hospitals Reserve; and Miss A Healy, of Dr Steeven’s Hospital, has been mentioned in despatches. The work done in the hospitals at the front by women nurses has evoked the warm commendation of the medical men in charge of those institutions, as well as the Commander in Chief and other distinguished officers, and it is gratifying to know that the services of some of our Irish nurses have met with the well merited recognition. Miss Johnston is one of twenty nurses of the Royal City of Dublin Hospital now serving at the front. She volunteered for service when the call was made for nurses, and left Dublin for ‘somewhere in France’ on 17th August. Miss Doherty and Miss Healy of Steeven’s Hospital, belonged to Queen Alexandra's Nursing Reserve, and were amongst the first of the gallant band of Irish nurses who proceeded to the front in August last. Miss Healy was Sister in Charge of the Royal Irish Constabulary Ward; and Miss Doherty of the principle male ward in Steeven’s Hospital for over three years. Sister Doherty belongs to Magherafelt, County Derry. There are now nearly thirty nurses from Steeven’s Hospital now serving at the front.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 26th June 1915: Magherafelt
Amongst the names of those at the front mentioned in despatches of Sir John French for gallant and distinguished services appears the name that of Miss M A Doherty, of Queen Alexandra's Nursing Services. She is the daughter of Mr P Doherty, Meeting Street, Magherafelt, and was charge nurse in Dr Steeven’s Hospital for three years. She has been in France since August.
Sister Doherty went on to Salonika in Greece where she contracted malaria. She had returned to duty when she was struck down with dysentery to which she succumbed.
Sister Mary Agnes Doherty R.R.C. was serving with the Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service (Reserve) when she died of illness on 5th September 1916 in Salonika. She was just five days short of her 29th birthday.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 2nd September 1916:
Mr Philip Doherty, Magherafelt, has received intimation that his daughter, Sister M A Doherty, has died from dysentery at 29 General Hospital, Salonika. The deceased volunteered at the outbreak of the war, and was mentioned in despatches by Sir John French. Subsequently she was awarded the Royal Red Cross (R.R.C.). After a short leave at home, she was transferred to Salonika where she died last Tuesday. The utmost sympathy is felt for her parents and other members of the family in their sad bereavement.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 9th September 1916: (Dungannon) Nurse Dies at Salonika
The War Office has notified Mr Philip Doherty, Market Street, Magherafelt, that his eldest daughter, Sister Mary Agnes Doherty, succumbed to dysentery in the 29th General Hospital, Salonika on Tuesday last. The deceased was first attached to a general hospital in France, where she was mentioned in despatches by Viscount French. Subsequently she was awarded the Royal Red Cross (R.R.C.) decoration for devotion to duty. After a short leave of absence at home, she was transferred to the 29th General Hospital at Salonika.
Sister Mary Agnes Doherty R.R.C. is buried in Salonika (Lembet Road) Military Cemetery, Greece.
Mary is commemorated on the Q.A.I.M.N.S. Memorial in St. Anne’s Cathedral, Donegal Street, Belfast. The Memorial is above the inner door on the north side of the main entrance at the west end of the cathedral.
Mary Agnes Doherty is also commemorated on the family headstone in the Church of St. John in Milltown, Magherafelt.
The CWGC record Sister Mary Agnes Doherty R.R.C. as the daughter of Catherine Doherty, Meeting Street, Magherafelt, Co. Derry, and the late Philip Doherty.
