The Icelandic connection - 01.06.2014, Qupperneq 38

180
ICELANDIC CONNECTION
Vol. 66 #4
Bara Isabell Solmundson
by Helga Malis
Bara Isabelle Solmundson, a Gimli
girl, was already a proficient nurse
when the Second World War began. She
was adventurous and had already nursed
in Vancouver, Rochester, Edmonton and
Winnipeg by that time. Both her brothers
had signed up and she was anxious to be of
help too. Bara’s first posting was in Debert,
Nova Scotia. She and 79 other Canadian
nurses were sent overseas to South Africa
to a hospital for the wounded, who were
flown there from the Front. There was less
fear of danger in South Africa
as it was far from the action.
Bara loved her work; of
caring for the wounded soldiers,
encouraging them to be strong
and to fight for life. She was a
happy, entertaining person and
she lifted the spirits of many of
the wounded. They loved her
and called her their “beautiful
gal.’’Bara wrote letters home for
“the boys” and read letters that
came from home for them. For
those that were mortally ill, she
stayed with them, comforted
and consoled them on their
journey. She felt privileged to
be able to nurse these brave
men.
When the nurses had any
days off, if they had a day off
at all, they would go to the city
to have “some fun,” and Bara
took longer trips if she was on
a pass. She spent most of her
wages on beautiful handmade
African wares that she brought home to
Gimli.
Bara received a medal from Britain
for her dedication to the wounded. When
she came home, she received a scroll from
H.E. Sellers to recognize her part in the
raising of 114,400,000 for Winnipeg’s
Victory Eoan Campaign.
Adventurous Bara then nursed in
Montreal, the Yukon Territory, Hawaii,
England, Halifax, and then finally back
in Winnipeg.
PHOTO COURTESY OF HELGA MALIS