Kingswood Honors Heroic Nurse Sister Dorothy Anyta Field on 80th Anniversary of Sacrifice

A poignant service was held in Kingswood, Surrey, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the tragic loss of Sister Dorothy Anyta Field, a dedicated nurse who gave her life while saving others during World War Two. Sister Field, a hero of her time, perished alongside her colleague, Sister Mollie Evershed, when the hospital ship they were aboard struck a mine off the French coast on August 7, 1944. The ceremony took place at St Andrew's Church, where attendees reflected on the bravery and selflessness exhibited by Sister Field, who was affectionately known as Anyta. Tim Richardson, a Surrey military historian and RAF veteran, spoke eloquently of her courage, noting that both nurses had opportunities to save themselves but chose instead to remain with their patients. Before the war, Sister Field had already established herself as a professional nurse and joined the Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service, putting her skills to use in the most challenging circumstances. The hospital ship was transporting wounded British and Canadian soldiers, along with German prisoners of war, from the Normandy beaches back to Southampton for critical medical care. Tragically, as the vessel maneuvered through dangerous waters, it struck a sea mine. In the chaos that ensued, Sister Field and her fellow nurses sprang into action, courageously working to save the wounded. Remarkably, they managed to evacuate 75 men from the vessel. However, their dedication to their patients ultimately cost them their lives, as they continued to return to the ship in search of more survivors until it sank, claiming a total of 106 lives, including 11 German prisoners. "They went up to the limit and beyond it, in an attempt to look after their patients, but they lost their lives in the process," Richardson stated, emphasizing the extreme bravery of the two nurses. In a touching tribute, Sister Field and Sister Evershed were included in the Standing With Giants installation at Gold Beach in Normandy, which commemorates the 80th anniversary of D-Day. This installation features 1,475 silhouettes, each representing a life lost during the war, with the displays remaining until the end of August. Notably, the silhouettes of the two nurses will stay permanently, symbolizing their sacrifice and unyielding dedication. The D-Day landings, which occurred on June 6, 1944, marked a significant turning point in the war, with 156,000 Allied troops landing on the French coast, paving the way for the liberation of Nazi-occupied Europe. The memory and legacy of Sister Field and her fellow nurses serve as a powerful reminder of the human spirit's resilience and the profound impact of selfless acts of bravery in times of conflict.