Lieutenant Jean Elizabeth Sword

1. Lieutenant (Army). 1917-11-21 to 1918-07-25
2. Lieutenant (Army). 1917-10-04 to 1917-11-20
3. Lieutenant (Army). 1917-06-19 to 1917-10-04
4. Lieutenant (Army). 1917-02-19 to 1917-06-18
5. Lieutenant (Army). 1914-09-25 to 1917-02-19

Royal Red Cross 2nd Class (not stated)
Date of award: 1918-06-21
Date of award: 1918-06-21
Source: London Gazette 30758

Resigned her appointment on July 25, 1918 at Bramshott Camp.

Wife of John Pollands Girvan, Major. She and Major Girvan both went overseas as part of the First Canadian Contingent. Although not married at that time, a husband and wife who were both part of the First Contingent must make them a very unique couple.

She mobilized with the CAMC Nursing Service at Quebec City, Quebec on September 19, 1914.

Sailed with the Nursing Sisters Draft of the First Contingent aboard SS Franconia from Quebec city to Devonport, October 03-14, 1914. (Note that the nursing sisters contingent sailed separately from their units) The 2nd General Hospital was assigned to West Down, Salisbury Plain on arrival in england.

She was admitted to Bulford Manor Hospital with Appendicitis from December 29, 1915 to January 17, 1915, and sent on medical furlough until January 29. She did not proceed to France with the 2nd GH, but appears to have been attached to the Duchess of Connaught's Red Cross Hospital at Cliveden, Taplow. Her file noted that she was working there by April 10, 1915. She joined the 2nd GH at Le Treport, France on May 13, 1915.

On October 24, 1916 she reported ill with general debility and was granted a medical furlough to Canada. Three days later she was attached to the Canadian Training Division in England for administrative purposes. The following day, October 28, she sailed to Canada aboard SS Scandinavian. It it possible that she met John Girvan, her future husband, while onboard.

On November 02 she was attached to the Directorate of Medical Services in Canada while on furlough. On February 03, 1917 she returned to England. The ship, dates and ports are not noted on file. On February 13 she was attached to the CAMC Training School pending a duty assignment.

On April 22, 1918 she acted as a blood donor for a transfusion. due to general weakness and an irregular heart beat, she was hospitalized following the transfusion, until April 26. She was then granted sick furlough until May 06.

Awarded the Royal Red Cross, Second Class on June 21, (reference London Gazette 30758).

She was granted leave from July 03 to July 25. While on leave, she married Major JP Girvan, second in Command of the 15th Battalion. On July 18 she was granted permission to resign her appointment on return from leave.