Photograph of Nelle Robertson courtesy of Dale Robertson, whose great-grandfather was a first-cousin to Nelle. Used with permission.
This story of Nelle Robertson is part of a continuing series to honor those women of WWI who died in service. Sometimes called “Gold Star” Women they served as yeomen, nurses, telephone operators, Red Cross volunteers and as YMCA/YWCA canteen workers.
It is this latter work that Nelle Robertson was involved with. She was well educated, had a supportive family, and died far away from home while serving her country.
When we think of non-military service during WWI many jobs come to mind. I’ve written about the nurses, telephone operators, ambulance drivers, Red Cross and other ancillary workers who provided essential but often dangerous tasks in Europe and on the home front. Not mentioned before (in my stories) were the services that the YMCA and YWCA canteen workers provided. And so I mention them now. Continue reading
