Never-before-seen photos of heroic nurse Minnie Hodgson revealed

A treasure trove of photos and information about a heroic wartime nurse — who recently had a park named in her honour — have been unearthed.

Minnie Hodgson enlisted in 1941 and was treating wounded warriors in Singapore when it came under siege from the Japanese Empire.

She escaped to Bangka Island in modern day Indonesia on a Red Cross ship but was one of 21 captured nurses brutally massacred by the Japanese on February 16, 1942.

The volunteer-run WA Medical Museum in Subiaco recently donated a significant number of items relating to the heroic nurse to Presbyterian Ladies College Archives, which will soon be revealed to the public for the first time.

PLC archivist and historian Shannon Lovelady said the nurse came to PLC for senior schooling in 1923 and 1924 before finishing her final year of schooling at Methodist Ladies’ College.

Ms Lovelady said the items included Ms Hodgson’s baptismal and confirmation certificates, Junior Certificate, her passport, letters and a telegram from her brother Bill.

Photos of the nurse have also emerged, including with her graduating class of nurses and holding what appears to be a dingo puppy in her nurses uniform.

Ms Lovelady said the donations were “extremely significant items” that would soon be collated and displayed in what will be known as the Minnie Hodgson Collection.

A park in West Leederville — nicknamed Beer Park due to its proximity to a liquor store — was recently renamed the Minnie Hodgson Park in honour of her sacrifice and inspiring story of service.

Ms Lovelady said Ms Hodgson attended West Leederville Primary School and the park was close to her Tate Street home.