Background
Kathleen Annie Louise Best was born on August 28, 1910, in Summer Hill, Sydney, Australia. She was a daughter of Rupert Dudley Best, a commission agent, and Emily Edith (Stevenson) Best.
1944
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Lieutenant colonel Kathleen Annie Louise Best, the Royal Red Cross, assistant adjutant general, Women's Services, "A" branch, Land Headquarters (1), taking the salute from members of the Australian Women's Army Service and the Australian Army Medical Women's Service outside the main entrance to government house. Also seen is captain M. J. Watts (2). May 18, 1944. Photo by Norman Bradford Stuckey.
1944
24-88 Commercial Rd, South Yarra VIC 3141, Australia
Spectators, watching the play during the cricket match between the officers and other ranks of the Australian Women's Services. From left to right: major D. L. Madden, sitting cross-legged, wearing glasses with jacket over her shoulders; lieutenant colonel Kathleen Annie Louise Best, wearing one leg pad and sitting next to major Madden; unidentified woman, wearing sunglasses; controller lieutenant E. M. Miller, with sunglasses in mouth; colonel Sybil Howy Irving, kneeling in foreground, buckling up leg pad; lieutenant D. M. Arland, partially obscured behind and to the right of colonel Irving; captain G. V. Gehan, third from right; lieutenant M. F. Wheatland, second from right; colonel A. M. Sage, matron-in-chief, far right, wearing white. Fawkner Park, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. January 23, 1944. Photo by A. L. Fraser.
1944
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Lieutenant colonel Kathleen Annie Louise Best, the Royal Red Cross, assistant adjutant general, Women's Services, "A" branch, Land Headquarters (1), taking the salute from members of the Australian Women's Army Service and the Australian Army Medical Women's Service outside the main entrance to government house. Also seen is captain M. J. Watts (2). May 18, 1944. Photo by Norman Bradford Stuckey.
Eritrea, East Africa
Eritrea. The nursing staff of the 5th Australian General Hospital. From left: masseuse M. C. Thompson, staff-masseuse L. Knowles, masseuse J. V. R. Hoets, masseuse J. P. Tivey, staff nurse J. H. Hammond, sister R. F. McCallum, staff nurse M. J. Taylor, sister M. J. O'Hare, sister M. F. Bathgate, sister D. Tomlins, sister B. W. Hanmer, staff nurse Jolly, sister T. Wood, sister H. Hardy, sister M. Skerman, staff nurse R. I. Watterson, staff nurse M. M. Baxter, staff nurse M. Bell, masseuse D. M. S. Wilson, masseuse N. Knowlman, masseuse P. Hayken, masseuse J. M. Legh, staff nurse D. Burnett, Matron Kathleen Annie Louise Best, sister E. A. White, staff nurse I. M. Inskip, staff nurse M. McCaulay and staff nurse K. Stephenson.
24-88 Commercial Rd, South Yarra VIC 3141, Australia
Lieutenant colonel Kathleen Annie Louise Best, bowling during the cricket match between the officers and the other ranks of the Australian Women's Service. Fawkner Park, South Yarra, Victoria, Australia. Photo by A. L. Fraser.
24-88 Commercial Rd, South Yarra VIC 3141, Australia
Australian Women's Service Officers cricket team, selected for the match against the other ranks team. They are: captain F. McNab, the Australian Army Medical Women's Service (1); colonel A. M. Sage, Royal Red Cross, matron-in-chief, the Australian Army Nursing Service (2); lieutenant colonel M. S. Douglas, controller of the Australian Army Medical Women's Service (3); lieutenant colonel I. V. Murphy, the Australian Women's Army Service (4); captain W. Woolnough, the Australian Army Nursing Service (5); colonel S. H. Irving, controller of the Australian Women's Army Service (6); lieutenant colonel Kathleen Annie Louise Best, the Royal Red Cross, the Australian Women's Army Service (7); lieutenant M. J. Watts, the Australian Women's Army Nursing Service (8); major E. J. Bowe, the Australian Army Nursing Service; captain L. D. Crane, the Australian Women's Army Service (10); captain J. E. Headberry, the Australian Army Nursing Service (11); major M. J. L. Wood, the Australian Women's Army Service (12); major D. L. Madden, the Australian Women's Army Service (13). Fawkner Park, South Yarra, Victoria, Australia. Photo by A. L. Fraser.
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Mrs. F. D. Roosevelt, arriving at the port Melbourne Naval Depot. Also seen are: lieutenant colonel Kathleen Annie Louise Best, the Royal Red Cross, the Australian Army Medical Women's Service (AAMWS); acting commander F. W. Heriot, Naval Officer-in-Charge, Port Melbourne; acting commander F. P. Willett. Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Photo by Ronald Keith Monro.
24-88 Commercial Rd, South Yarra VIC 3141, Australia
Lieutenant colonel Kathleen Annie Louise Best, being stumped by corporal J. Scott during the cricket match between the officers and the other ranks of the Australian Women's Service. Fawkner Park, South Yarra, Victoria, Australia. Photo by A. L. Fraser.
24-88 Commercial Rd, South Yarra VIC 3141, Australia
Lieutenant colonel Kathleen Annie Louise Best assists captain W. Woolnough with her pads during the cricket match between teams of the officers and other ranks of the Australian Women's Service. Fawkner Park, South Yarra, Victoria, Australia. Photo by A. L. Fraser.
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Lieutenant colonel Kathleen Annie Louise Best, the Royal Red Cross, assistant adjutant general of the Australian Army Medical Women's Service (AAMWS), returns the salute during an early morning parade of the Australian Women's Army Service (AWAS) in the Domain. Photo by Herald Newspaper.
24-88 Commercial Rd, South Yarra VIC 3141, Australia
Lieutenant colonel Kathleen Annie Louise Best gets right on the ball, while corporal J. Scott waits for a catch during the cricket match between the officers and the other ranks of the Australian Women's Service. Fawkner Park, South Yarra, Victoria, Australia. Photo by A. L. Fraser.
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
On her visit to the port Melbourne Naval Depot, Mrs. F. D. Roosevelt was presented with a bouquet by lieutenant general Eichelberger (second from left) with lieutenant colonel Kathleen Annie Louise Best, the Royal Red Cross, the Australian Army Medical Women's Service. Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Photo by Ronald Keith Monro.
1940
Sydney, Australia
Matron Kathleen Annie Louise Best, who was in charge of the nurses. Army. Nurses Embarkation. October 18, 1940, Sydney.
1941
Rehovot, Israel
Australian Imperial Force in Palestine. Matron Kathleen Best and nurses of the 2/5th Australian General Hospital on parade in camp near Rehovot. Photo by F. Hurley. April, 1941.
1941
Informal portrait of colonel William Elphinstone Kay, standing alongside matron Kathleen Annie Louise Best, both of the 2/5 Australian General Hospital.
1944
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Lieutenant colonel Kathleen Annie Louise Best, the Royal Red Cross, assistant adjutant general, Women's Services, "A" branch, Land Headquarters (1), taking the salute from members of the Australian Women's Army Service and the Australian Army Medical Women's Service outside the main entrance to government house. Also seen is captain M. J. Watts (2). May 18, 1944. Photo by Norman Bradford Stuckey.
1944
24-88 Commercial Rd, South Yarra VIC 3141, Australia
Spectators, watching the play during the cricket match between the officers and other ranks of the Australian Women's Services. From left to right: major D. L. Madden, sitting cross-legged, wearing glasses with jacket over her shoulders; lieutenant colonel Kathleen Annie Louise Best, wearing one leg pad and sitting next to major Madden; unidentified woman, wearing sunglasses; controller lieutenant E. M. Miller, with sunglasses in mouth; colonel Sybil Howy Irving, kneeling in foreground, buckling up leg pad; lieutenant D. M. Arland, partially obscured behind and to the right of colonel Irving; captain G. V. Gehan, third from right; lieutenant M. F. Wheatland, second from right; colonel A. M. Sage, matron-in-chief, far right, wearing white. Fawkner Park, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. January 23, 1944. Photo by A. L. Fraser.
1944
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Lieutenant colonel Kathleen Annie Louise Best, the Royal Red Cross, assistant adjutant general, Women's Services, "A" branch, Land Headquarters (1), taking the salute from members of the Australian Women's Army Service and the Australian Army Medical Women's Service outside the main entrance to government house. Also seen is captain M. J. Watts (2). May 18, 1944. Photo by Norman Bradford Stuckey.
United Kingdom
Best was awarded the Royal Red Cross for her service in the Greek campaign.
United Kingdom
In 1956, Best was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire.
Australia
The portrait of Kathleen Best
Eritrea, East Africa
Eritrea. The nursing staff of the 5th Australian General Hospital. From left: masseuse M. C. Thompson, staff-masseuse L. Knowles, masseuse J. V. R. Hoets, masseuse J. P. Tivey, staff nurse J. H. Hammond, sister R. F. McCallum, staff nurse M. J. Taylor, sister M. J. O'Hare, sister M. F. Bathgate, sister D. Tomlins, sister B. W. Hanmer, staff nurse Jolly, sister T. Wood, sister H. Hardy, sister M. Skerman, staff nurse R. I. Watterson, staff nurse M. M. Baxter, staff nurse M. Bell, masseuse D. M. S. Wilson, masseuse N. Knowlman, masseuse P. Hayken, masseuse J. M. Legh, staff nurse D. Burnett, Matron Kathleen Annie Louise Best, sister E. A. White, staff nurse I. M. Inskip, staff nurse M. McCaulay and staff nurse K. Stephenson.
24-88 Commercial Rd, South Yarra VIC 3141, Australia
Lieutenant colonel Kathleen Annie Louise Best, bowling during the cricket match between the officers and the other ranks of the Australian Women's Service. Fawkner Park, South Yarra, Victoria, Australia. Photo by A. L. Fraser.
24-88 Commercial Rd, South Yarra VIC 3141, Australia
Australian Women's Service Officers cricket team, selected for the match against the other ranks team. They are: captain F. McNab, the Australian Army Medical Women's Service (1); colonel A. M. Sage, Royal Red Cross, matron-in-chief, the Australian Army Nursing Service (2); lieutenant colonel M. S. Douglas, controller of the Australian Army Medical Women's Service (3); lieutenant colonel I. V. Murphy, the Australian Women's Army Service (4); captain W. Woolnough, the Australian Army Nursing Service (5); colonel S. H. Irving, controller of the Australian Women's Army Service (6); lieutenant colonel Kathleen Annie Louise Best, the Royal Red Cross, the Australian Women's Army Service (7); lieutenant M. J. Watts, the Australian Women's Army Nursing Service (8); major E. J. Bowe, the Australian Army Nursing Service; captain L. D. Crane, the Australian Women's Army Service (10); captain J. E. Headberry, the Australian Army Nursing Service (11); major M. J. L. Wood, the Australian Women's Army Service (12); major D. L. Madden, the Australian Women's Army Service (13). Fawkner Park, South Yarra, Victoria, Australia. Photo by A. L. Fraser.
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Mrs. F. D. Roosevelt, arriving at the port Melbourne Naval Depot. Also seen are: lieutenant colonel Kathleen Annie Louise Best, the Royal Red Cross, the Australian Army Medical Women's Service (AAMWS); acting commander F. W. Heriot, Naval Officer-in-Charge, Port Melbourne; acting commander F. P. Willett. Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Photo by Ronald Keith Monro.
24-88 Commercial Rd, South Yarra VIC 3141, Australia
Lieutenant colonel Kathleen Annie Louise Best, being stumped by corporal J. Scott during the cricket match between the officers and the other ranks of the Australian Women's Service. Fawkner Park, South Yarra, Victoria, Australia. Photo by A. L. Fraser.
Eritrea, East Africa
Eritrea. Some of the staff on the grounds of the 5th Australian General Hospital. From left to right: Matron Kathleen Annie Louise Best, staff nurse M. F. Bell, staff nurse M. M. Baxter, staff nurse J. H. Hammond and staff nurse M. Mcaulay.
24-88 Commercial Rd, South Yarra VIC 3141, Australia
Lieutenant colonel Kathleen Annie Louise Best assists captain W. Woolnough with her pads during the cricket match between teams of the officers and other ranks of the Australian Women's Service. Fawkner Park, South Yarra, Victoria, Australia. Photo by A. L. Fraser.
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Lieutenant colonel Kathleen Annie Louise Best, the Royal Red Cross, assistant adjutant general of the Australian Army Medical Women's Service (AAMWS), returns the salute during an early morning parade of the Australian Women's Army Service (AWAS) in the Domain. Photo by Herald Newspaper.
24-88 Commercial Rd, South Yarra VIC 3141, Australia
Lieutenant colonel Kathleen Annie Louise Best gets right on the ball, while corporal J. Scott waits for a catch during the cricket match between the officers and the other ranks of the Australian Women's Service. Fawkner Park, South Yarra, Victoria, Australia. Photo by A. L. Fraser.
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
On her visit to the port Melbourne Naval Depot, Mrs. F. D. Roosevelt was presented with a bouquet by lieutenant general Eichelberger (second from left) with lieutenant colonel Kathleen Annie Louise Best, the Royal Red Cross, the Australian Army Medical Women's Service. Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Photo by Ronald Keith Monro.
Kathleen Annie Louise Best was born on August 28, 1910, in Summer Hill, Sydney, Australia. She was a daughter of Rupert Dudley Best, a commission agent, and Emily Edith (Stevenson) Best.
Educated at Bondi Public and Cleveland Street Intermediate High schools, Kathleen completed nursing training at Western Suburbs Hospital and midwifery at the Women's Hospital, Crown Street.
After completing training as a nurse in 1933, Kathleen worked in hospitals in Sydney. When World War II began, she volunteered for the Australian Army Nursing Service Reserve. In 1940 Best, the youngest matron ever to serve in the Australian Army, sailed with the Australian Imperial Force to the Middle East, where she took charge of the 2/5th Australian General Hospital. Best's leadership qualities soon emerged as she and her staff participated in the disastrous Allied attempt to prevent the German invasion of Greece and Crete. During the withdrawal, the nursing staff was under enemy fire on several occasions.
Returning to Australia in 1942, Best was placed in charge of the Voluntary Aid Detachments (VADs). In 1943, the VADs were enlisted into the new Australian Army Medical Women's Service, and Best was accorded the rank of lieutenant colonel. A number of government appointments followed, with Best advising on the reabsorption of servicewomen into civilian life in the closing stages of World War II.
In 1950, Kathleen Best was appointed founding director of the Women's Australian Army Corps (WRAAC). The prefix "Royal" was granted in June 1951. In September 1952, she reached the rank of honorary colonel. As director of WRAAC, Best confronted the difficult task of raising the new corps from scratch and of overcoming considerable opposition from senior military staff, who believed, that a women's unit would be neither necessary nor competent. Best organized the WRAAC on the lines of its wartime predecessor, the Australian Women's Army Service. She gained the respect of her corps and was regarded as an inspiring, if rather authoritarian, leader. The WRAAC quickly grew to more than 1000 members, with regular and part-time units in most capital cities. In 1954, Best became Chairman of the Red Cross Button Day committee in Melbourne.
Kathleen did not live to see her early achievements consolidated, however. She died of cancer in November 1957, aged forty-seven. The WRAAC gained permanent status in 1959 under Best's successor, Colonel Dawn Jackson.
Despite her achievements, Best has been described as a modest woman with an engaging sense of humour. Those, who served under her, considered Best an inspiring leader, who ruled with a firm hand, but who also treated her subordinates with fairness.
Physical Characteristics: Kathleen was 165 cm tall and had blue eyes and a fair complexion.