Emmeline Wellard was born in North-West Tasmania in 1877. In 1916, Emmeline enlisted in the Australian Army Nursing Service and set sail for India. She was posted to British hospitals in Bombay and Deolali, caring for wounded soldiers from the campaigns in the Middle East.
In 1918, Emmeline was one of five Australian nurses posted to the British hospital at Bushire, Persia.
On her way home, in May 1919, Emmeline volunteered to serve in the North-West Frontier region of India, just as the Afghan tribes began a revolt against British rule. Only seven Australian nurses served in what became known as the Third Afghan War.
Emmeline was commended for her “gallant and distinguished services in the field” and was awarded the Royal Red Cross, an imperial decoration received by only a few Tasmanian nurses. She also received the British War Medal, Victory Medal, British General Service Medal and the India General Service Medal. Emmeline was one of the most highly awarded Tasmanian nurses to serve in the Great War.