Hilda Thompson's national service began during World War I when she served as an ambulance driver. She resigned in order to begin her work with the Red Cross. During her service, Hilda held a variety of positions. At the end of World War I, she was working in France at a Canteen Service from December 1918 until June of 1919. The purpose of this station was to provide services to soldiers in the field.38
Her service continued into World War II. Around 1943 she was stationed in the northern part of Australia for twenty months and was Red Cross Club Director and Supervisor, the first woman ever to fill this position. Hilda delivered a speech about her work there to the American Red Cross back in the states. She explained what they did there, such as preparing meals; planning social affairs, such as picnics or boat trips; sending telegrams home; and mending soldiers' clothes. Hilda was sure to share numerous accounts of thanks from grateful soldiers, which demonstrated that Red Cross work there was greatly appreciated. Also included was a slogan that the Red Cross workers hung over their desks, "The impossible we do immediately; miracles take a little longer."
After this assignment Hilda would move closer to the action into New Guinea. Here she supervised 26 Red Cross workers while serving at a mobile canteen service. Their purpose was to provide care for pilots returning from flying missions over enemy territory. 40 She was also responsible for preparing for a visit from Eleanor Roosevelt. She provided a speech on this experience in which she detailed the long days, beginning as early as two or three in the morning.42 At the time she left the South Pacific from New Guinea, she'd been farther north than any other Red Cross woman. During her career, Hilda also worked with a group called the Lithuanian Displaced Persons Group in Rebsdorf, Lithuania. She was presented with a scrapbook of appreciation from the people she served because of her work there.
Her service continued into World War II. Around 1943 she was stationed in the northern part of Australia for twenty months and was Red Cross Club Director and Supervisor, the first woman ever to fill this position. Hilda delivered a speech about her work there to the American Red Cross back in the states. She explained what they did there, such as preparing meals; planning social affairs, such as picnics or boat trips; sending telegrams home; and mending soldiers' clothes. Hilda was sure to share numerous accounts of thanks from grateful soldiers, which demonstrated that Red Cross work there was greatly appreciated. Also included was a slogan that the Red Cross workers hung over their desks, "The impossible we do immediately; miracles take a little longer."
After this assignment Hilda would move closer to the action into New Guinea. Here she supervised 26 Red Cross workers while serving at a mobile canteen service. Their purpose was to provide care for pilots returning from flying missions over enemy territory. 40 She was also responsible for preparing for a visit from Eleanor Roosevelt. She provided a speech on this experience in which she detailed the long days, beginning as early as two or three in the morning.42 At the time she left the South Pacific from New Guinea, she'd been farther north than any other Red Cross woman. During her career, Hilda also worked with a group called the Lithuanian Displaced Persons Group in Rebsdorf, Lithuania. She was presented with a scrapbook of appreciation from the people she served because of her work there.
Hilda Thompson's national service began during World War I when she served as an ambulance driver. She resigned in order to begin her work with the Red Cross. During her service, Hilda held a variety of positions. At the end of World War I, she was working in France at a Canteen Service from December 1918 until June of 1919. The purpose of this station was to provide services to soldiers in the field.38
Her service continued into World War II. Around 1943 she was stationed in the northern part of Australia for twenty months and was Red Cross Club Director and Supervisor, the first woman ever to fill this position. Hilda delivered a speech about her work there to the American Red Cross back in the states. She explained what they did there, such as preparing meals; planning social affairs, such as picnics or boat trips; sending telegrams home; and mending soldiers' clothes. Hilda was sure to share numerous accounts of thanks from grateful soldiers, which demonstrated that Red Cross work there was greatly appreciated. Also included was a slogan that the Red Cross workers hung over their desks, "The impossible we do immediately; miracles take a little longer."
After this assignment Hilda would move closer to the action into New Guinea. Here she supervised 26 Red Cross workers while serving at a mobile canteen service. Their purpose was to provide care for pilots returning from flying missions over enemy territory. 40 She was also responsible for preparing for a visit from Eleanor Roosevelt. She provided a speech on this experience in which she detailed the long days, beginning as early as two or three in the morning.42 At the time she left the South Pacific from New Guinea, she'd been farther north than any other Red Cross woman. During her career, Hilda also worked with a group called the Lithuanian Displaced Persons Group in Rebsdorf, Lithuania. She was presented with a scrapbook of appreciation from the people she served because of her work there.
Her service continued into World War II. Around 1943 she was stationed in the northern part of Australia for twenty months and was Red Cross Club Director and Supervisor, the first woman ever to fill this position. Hilda delivered a speech about her work there to the American Red Cross back in the states. She explained what they did there, such as preparing meals; planning social affairs, such as picnics or boat trips; sending telegrams home; and mending soldiers' clothes. Hilda was sure to share numerous accounts of thanks from grateful soldiers, which demonstrated that Red Cross work there was greatly appreciated. Also included was a slogan that the Red Cross workers hung over their desks, "The impossible we do immediately; miracles take a little longer."
After this assignment Hilda would move closer to the action into New Guinea. Here she supervised 26 Red Cross workers while serving at a mobile canteen service. Their purpose was to provide care for pilots returning from flying missions over enemy territory. 40 She was also responsible for preparing for a visit from Eleanor Roosevelt. She provided a speech on this experience in which she detailed the long days, beginning as early as two or three in the morning.42 At the time she left the South Pacific from New Guinea, she'd been farther north than any other Red Cross woman. During her career, Hilda also worked with a group called the Lithuanian Displaced Persons Group in Rebsdorf, Lithuania. She was presented with a scrapbook of appreciation from the people she served because of her work there.
Gravesite Details
Name is inscribed on left side of concrete enclosure surrounding trees in plot.
Family Members
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