World War I was a brutal conflict.

Australia, at the time of the 1914-1918 war, had a population of fewer than 5 million.

More than 416,000 men put on the nation’s uniform.

More than 60,000 were killed and 156,000 were wounded, gassed, or taken prisoner.

Diggers from WA fought in numbers on the rocky hills of Gallipoli, the sands of the Middle East, and in the muddy trenches of Western Europe.

WA historian Geoffrey Bolton, in Land Of Vision And Mirage, Western Australia Since 1826, wrote that when war broke out, WA had more single men of military age than the Australian average, more recent British migrants, and more farmers and rural workers experiencing difficulty or unemployment because of a severe drought.

As a result, it was not surprising WA’s rate of recruitment was higher than in the rest of Australia.

“Almost 10 per cent of the total population — 32,231 in all — were to enlist during World War I,” he wrote.

While many did not return, there were thousands who did make it back to WA who lived with the terrible consequences.

Some were left with physical wounds which needed ongoing treatment.

Others were left with shattered mental health — shell shock, or what today would be known as post-traumatic stress disorder.

Many took a long time to heal. Some never did.

But in those most desperate of times, there were people willing to help ease the pain.

People like Sister Ruth Victoria Jones, who is to be honoured by a new display at the Royal Perth Hospital Museum.

Her extraordinary devotion to returned servicemen earned her the enduring title “Our Sister Nightingale”.

Material prepared by RPH says Ruth was born in Victoria in 1889, one of 12 siblings.

The family moved to Dowerin in 1904, when Ruth was a teenager.

She later began her nursing training at Perth Hospital — forerunner of Royal Perth Hospital — before the outbreak of WWI.

In May 1917, she enlisted in the Australian Army Nursing Service.

She served at the Fremantle Base Hospital and overseas, in Egypt and India, sailing for WA again in late 1919.

Soon afterwards she began her commitment to caring for returned servicemen at Perth Hospital.

The West Australian of June 8, 1936, which carried news of her funeral, said on returning from the war she completed a course at the King Edward Memorial Hospital in Subiaco and served as a sister at the Fremantle Base Hospital, from which she was transferred with the repatriation patients to Perth Hospital.

“A period was spent subsequently as sister in charge of the convalescent home at Kalamunda, after which she returned to the Repatriation Ward at the Perth Hospital,” the paper said.

During her time in charge of the repatriation ward, thousands of grateful Diggers received her care.

“In that period more than 6000 men passed through her hands as patients,” The West reported.

“She was noted for devotion to duty and for her capacity always to go the second mile.

“Hours of duty did not seem to count at all with her. Her life was definitely one of self-sacrificing service.

“She regarded her profession not as a means of making a living, but quite definitely as a vocation to which she was devoting her life; and her health, energy and physical strength were undermined as a result.

“She was beloved, not only by every Digger to whom she administered but by the Diggers’ relatives, to whom she was uniformly kind.”

RPH said Sister Jones cared for men living with the lasting effects of war, including shrapnel and gunshot wounds; assisted with amputations; and supported those suffering from shell shock and chronic illnesses.

The hospital was at the forefront of X-ray technology, helping doctors find bullets and shrapnel lodged deep in patients’ bodies, RPH said.

“She was known to be on call around the clock for her ‘boys’ and is said to have given away as much as 80 per cent of her wages to support soldiers and their families,” RPH said.

Sister Jones took ill in late May 1936, and died on June 6.

The Daily News of that day carried news of her death on the front page under the headline “Diggers’ Faithful Nurse Died Today”.

“Grave anxiety began to be felt by medical men concerning Sister Jones’ condition about a week ago, following which she became gradually worse,” the paper reported.

“Throughout the day and night telephone calls were received at the Perth Hospital inquiring about the condition of the much-beloved sister, particularly from ex-soldiers.

The West Australian reported her funeral at Karrakatta was attended by more than 2000 people, including more than 1000 former Diggers, and dozens of dignitaries.

“Over 100 floral tributes were brought, covering the top of the hearse, and nearly concealing the coffin, which was draped with the Union Jack, as well as filling a car following the hearse,” The West said.

Eight cars carried Sister Jones’ relatives and sick and wounded Diggers from the hospital.

“In the service at the graveside, the Rev. E. H. O. Nye (ex-chaplain in the A.I.F.) extolled the loyal and unstinting service which the late Sister Jones had rendered to ex-service men,” the paper said.

“ ‘I feel,’ said Mr Nye, ‘that every one of us who hold in high honour those who served overseas will agree that among those who were most deserving of honour were the nurses who went overseas to serve during the war.’ ”

The tremendous crowd at her funeral was proof of the esteem in which Sister Jones was held by all sections of the community who came in contact with her, particularly the soldiers, he said.

“When one remembers that the immense crowd here today must be but a small portion of the total number of people who will remember her and her kindness and service it is to know that a wonderful woman has passed away.”

Many of Sister Jones’ family also took up nursing, including great-niece Vicki Ramsay.

Ms Ramsay told Agenda that as well as her medical skills, Sister Jones also offered the sick soldiers the precious gift of time by their side.

Another great-niece, Deb Oliver, who also took up nursing, said the family had always spoken about how special Sister Jones had been.

The RPH display, featuring Sister Jones’ newly framed portrait, will be opened by three of her great-nieces on October 29.

The RPH Museum on Murray Street is open on Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 9am-2pm. Entry is free.