Kathleen Best OBE RRC (1910–1957), nurse and officer, grew up in Sydney where she completed nursing and midwifery training. Having worked with increasing responsibilities at Wyong Hospital, the Rachel Forster Hospital for Women and Children, Sydney, and the Masonic Hospital, Ashfield, she was appointed to the Australian Army Nursing Service, AIF, and posted as matron of the 2nd/5th Australian General Hospital. She embarked for the Middle East in October 1940. The hospital opened at Rehovot, Palestine in December but in April 1941 moved to Greece where the Anzacs were weathering a German assault and there were constant air-raids. Most nurses and physiotherapists were soon evacuated to Crete. Although Best and others volunteered to stay, they, too, were ordered to Crete. For courage and efficiency during this hazardous period, Best received the Royal Red Cross in 1942. On her return to Palestine she reorganised the hospital; she spent time in Suez, Egypt, and in Eritrea, Ethiopia before returning to Australia in March 1942. In Melbourne, from July 1942 to February 1943 she was controller of full-time voluntary aid detachments. Promoted lieutenant colonel and posted as assistant adjutant-general (women's services), in September 1944 she accepted the assistant-directorship of women's re-establishment and training in the Department of Postwar Reconstruction. On 12 February 1951 she was appointed founding director of the Australian Women's Army Corps (Women's Royal Australian Army Corps). She was promoted to honorary colonel in late 1952 and appointed OBE in 1956. After her death at the age of 47 she was given a military funeral in Toorak.
