A Tribute to Sister Anthony. 1900 - 1952.
(Bridget Anne Timbers)

To all the veterans who served in the Suez Canal Zone in the crisis years of 1951 to 1954, the name of Sister Anthony is one we all remember even though the events of her tragic death took place over 50 years ago.  In the early years of the troubles, before the service dependants were evacuated, she taught the children of servicemen.  Not only did she administer to the needs of the Christian fraternity, but also to other creeds.  She was loved by the children and respected by all who came in contact with her.  The grief that was felt by her death echoed around the Zone and this was reflected in the manner of her funeral, which was attended by so many people of different denominations and race. She was given a Military funeral, which we believe was the first time it has been accorded to a non-Military person, or if not so, certainly an extremely rare occurrence.

The story of Sister Anthony is not generally known, so during the last four months we have been researching for more information of her, all we had were two old newspaper cuttings printed soon after her death, one was headed: ‘Sister Anthony died as children sang’, the other: ‘Children of the British Army honour her memory'.  It was Suez Veteran Cyril Blackburn who was able to furnish us with her identity, Order, a photo of her grave and photos of the old Convent as it is today.  With this knowledge we were able to widen our enquiries. The Order to which she belonged was the ‘Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul’ and SV Tony Tolan’s request to them resulted in him receiving copies of letters, written in French, which have been kept in their archives.  At the same time, SV John Dodd in Australia contacted the Vatican and although they were unable to give any information, did say that the Vatican newspaper expressed an interest in this story.  John has come across some films of the time and has made up a video of a number of old newsreels reporting her death.  Other bodies were contacted but unfortunately resulted in very little information.  We have now managed to piece together something of this remarkable lady who loved to help others, including those who in the end took her life.

Born in 1900 in New York, USA, to an Irish mother and Canadian father, she was christened Bridget Anne and had the family name of Timbers.  Sadly she was orphaned whilst still very young and was raised in California by an Aunt who later sent her to finish her education in Belgium.  Some time later she went to England where she trained as a teacher.  The first teaching post Bridget held was at the Sisters of Charity School for Deaf Children in Tollcross, Glasgow, where her work was very much appreciated both by the Sisters and the children.  Whilst there she felt drawn towards a religious life, she applied and was accepted to train at Saint Vincent’s, Mill Hill, London.  In 1926 Bridget received the Habit and then returned to the school at Tollcross where she spent the next four years.  Having volunteered at some earlier point for work with Foreign Missions, she went to Ismailia in 1930 where she taught children from the British Military Garrison at Moascar who attended the Convent school in Ismailia.   Sadly she developed health problems and after one year had to return to England.  Sister Anthony then taught at schools in London and Liverpool after which she returned to the mother house of St Vincent de Paul at Mill Hill in London and it was there she remained throughout the war years inspiring all with her courage during the dark years of the Blitz.

Sister Anthony had a longing to return to her work with the Missions and in 1947 went again to St Vincent’s College in Ismailia where she lived and taught until her tragic death at the hands of terrorists.  We can now relate some of the events of the day she died, and shortly afterwards, from accounts given by sister Nuns who served with her.  Sister Cherest wrote to the Convent from the hospital in Ismailia, - “I fear you will have heard the news of the terrible death of our dear Sister Anthony on the wireless.  As Sister Morin and I are cut off, I do not know if she will be able to send any news.”  Another report from the Convent reads, - “Yesterday a bomb was thrown on the Marine.  The English retorted immediately and the surrounding zone was then invaded by many persons.  The gardens of St. Vincent’s College were part of this zone.  Sister Morin at last persuaded the men to leave the house, Sister Anthony insisted on this and was killed outright. There was a deadly struggle from two o’clock until six in the evening.  Everything is now calm again, but blockaded.  All means of communication is cut off and the telephone only works occasionally.  Even when we went to Sister Calviac’s funeral, stones were thrown at us for going to the cemetery.”  A telegram from Sister Lavallee and another from the United States Ambassador confirmed this sad news.  On the 24th and 25th of January Sister Morin was able to give a few more details. – “For the last three months there has been so much skirmishing on both sides that the death of our Sister Anthony has proved to be the drop of water that has caused the vase to overflow.  In spite of the sorrow we feel on account of it, everyone is quite sure that this is a stroke of providence to put an end to the situation, which was becoming ever more unbearable each day for the Christians scattered throughout the district.  Heaven grant that things will soon return to normal and this sacrifice of Sister Anthony’s death will weigh down the scales of the justice of God.  The English wireless van was installed on the right bank of the Sweetwater Canal opposite the college, this is what the bomb hit before the skirmish in which our dear Sister was killed.  Our Sisters have been wonderful, I would go even as far to say heroic.  On several occasions they did not hesitate to face, at peril of their lives, men armed with bombs in both hands.  I was with them too, but kept going from one place to another to calm and encourage the children and teachers who had taken refuge in the cellars.”  Sister Morin continued, - “We are now not in any danger at the moment, we cannot reopen the school as the streets are either barred or unsafe for the children.”
 

The Sister has written her description of the funeral, which is quite moving. – “The funeral rites took place in the Parish first of all, his Lordship Bishop Collins came from Port Said expressly for the High Mass and Pontifical Absolution.  The whole of Ismailia was present, and the body was enthusiastically born aloft by men of every rite including Muslim friends of ours.  At the end of the ceremony it was brought back here in the same manner.  You would not believe the number of people who were present.  At three o’clock in the afternoon the poor Sister left accompanied by a most respectful and impressive cortege, her coffin surmounted by a machine gun.  Two priests in a Military vehicle went in front, the body was carried by eight Officers with the most profound recollection.  On the 22nd there was High Mass at the Military camp at nine o’clock, a great crowd including several priests, several Generals etc.  The senior Military Chaplain gave a very sincere and true talk.  Everyone loved her, and the servicemen were indebted to her for having braved the danger in order to continue and doing acts of charity for them or their families.  Then followed the burial in the cemetery and the beautiful prayers accompanying it.

All the priests were present and the ‘Last Post’ was sounded, in fact it was a real triumph and an unforgettable ceremony due to the circumstances.  The Military authorities, the Consuls and the Clergy could not have been kinder and better disposed towards us. Dear Sister Anthony Timbers of American origin had been five years in St Vincent’s college where she had spent herself without counting the cost.  God took her in His arms on the battlefield of charity.”

General Sir George Erskine saluted as the ‘Last Post’ was sounded and six Warrant Offices of the British Army lowered her coffin into the grave.   Among the many wreaths was one with the simple inscription, - ‘In loving memory of a very dear friend and teacher, from the children of the British Forces.'  One former student of the St. Vincent College relates, - “I was given Religious Instruction by Sister Anthony in the school at Moascar and it was there we heard she had been murdered in her Convent.  You can imagine we all felt very sad and there were more than just a few tears shed at that news, and also later when we attended her funeral in the Catholic Church in Moascar Garrison.  I will never forget her.”   (See: ‘Egypt Remembered’ by Glen Edgeley-Long, also on this Website.)

That is the story, from the information we have been able to obtain, of a brave and much loved lady.  When you think about those colleagues who lost their lives serving in the Suez Canal Zone of Egypt, spare a thought and a prayer for this remarkable friend.   Our thanks to Cyril Blackburn for supplying the primary information required by us to proceed further, and for the photos.

Tony Tolan, Richard Woolley, John Dodd and John Marrs.
November 2003.