1

The Bamfield Red Cross Outpost Hospital opened in 1939 after, as Ebba Jennings wrote, "a small group of women led by Mrs. Sara Dickenson and Mrs Jennie Nicholls decided Bamfield needed a nursing service. The severity of two pneumonia cases about a year apart brought home the need for some sort of resident help and guidance." The former home of Conrad Meyers was chosen as the sight and Isobel (Molly) Mollard was hired as the first resident nurse, on call 24/7, a practice that continues to this day. The house was converted into a clinic with accommodations for the nurse upstairs. Margaret Rutz was hired as housekeeper.
In 1974, a double-wide trailer was floated across the inlet and installed next door. This became the clinic and the house became used strictly as the nurses' residence.
The Hospital Auxilary has always been important to the hospital. Each year, a Strawberry Tea and a carnival were held to raise funds for supplies and equipment to be used by the hospital.
Many nurses have been employed at the Red Cross Outpost; Molly Fullerton, Mrs. Knowleton, Mill Miller, Margaret Pardy, Pat Garcia, Sheila Chambers, Bev McInerney, Nancy Hendry and Cheryl McKay to name but a few.
A generous donation was made by the Godson family in 1980 and a boat was purchased to provide safe travel across the inlet for the nursing staff. In previous times, nurses often traveled by rowboat in many types of weather. The Godson is still in use by the Bamfield nurse today.
A new hospital was built on the eastside of the inlet in 2001, and currently, the Vancouver Island Regional Health Authority is the service provider. The nurse at present, Donna Dunn, is still on call 24/7.

2

The Opening of the Red Cross Outpost Hospital in Bamfield
1939
Bamfield,Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada


Credits:
Sue and Bill Fullerton

3

Molly Fullerton with the twins she delivered
1950s to 1960s
Bamfield,Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
Bill and Sue Fullerton

4

Helen Isabelle Mollard
1920 approx.
Unknown
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
Sue and Bill Fullerton

5

Shoulder flashing from Red Cross Nurse Uniform - Molly Fullerton
1940s
Bamfield,Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
Sue and Bill Fullerton

6

Molly Fullerton's Red Cross Uniform Flashing
1940s
Bamfield,Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada


Credits:
Sue and Bill Fullerton

7

Molly Fullerton -Red Cross Garden Party
1963
Bamfield,Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
Sue and Bill Fullerton

8

Molly Fullerton at home in her Bamfield kitchen
Unknown
Bamfield,Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada


Credits:
Sue and Bill Fullerton

9

1st Nurse Molly Fullerton with one of her "babies" Robert Garcia in 1964
1964
Bamfield,Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada


Credits:
Bamfield Community Museum and Archives

10

The Red Cross Nurse - A Poem
11 February 1940
Bamfield,Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada


The Red Cross Nurse

Bucking the tide up Banfield Creek

With a wind and a lashing rain

And the dismal sound of the oarlocks squeak

For every foot of gain.

When the goings tough, and it's mighty rough

And sickness is getting worse

You pace the float for to meet the boat

That carries the Red Cross nurse.

She'll be there in time, you can bet a dine

Whatever the time of night.

And the worry goes for you know she knows

How to fix things up just right.

Then she's bucking the tide down Banfield Creek

In the light of the early dawn

With her work well done, and a fight well won

With knowledge, skill and brawn.

Its a job that's hard, and I tell you Pard

I'm writing this bit of verse

To a darned good sort, and a darned good sport

Hats off to the Red Cross nurse.

Faithfully Dedicated to

Mill I. Mollard (Mollie) R. N.

the

Florence Nightingale of the Banfield

Detachment

of

1st. BN. Canadian Scottish Regt. C.A.S.F.

February 11, 1940

Sidney Hill

Credits:
Sue and Bill Fullerton

11

Miss Knowlton, the Red Cross Outpost Nurse in the 1940s
1940s
Bamfield,Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada


Credits:
Bamfield Community Museum and Archives

12

Miss Miller, Bamfield Red Cross Nurse
1950s-1960s
Barkley Sound, near Bamfield, British Columbia, Canada


Credits:
Jennings Family Collection

13

Nurse Margaret Pardy at the opening of the Red Cross Clinic in 1974
1974
Bamfield Red Cross Clinic, Bamfield, British Columbia, Canada


Credits:
Jennings Family Collection

14

The Opening of the Red Cross Outpost Clinic in 1974
1974
Bamfield Red Cross Clinic, Bamfield, British Columbia, Canada
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
Jennings Family Collection