On the occasion of commemorating the 110th anniversary of the death of Dr. Elizabeth Ross, a Scottish humanitarian and member of the British Medical Mission, the City of Kragujevac and the Kragujevac Red Cross organized a formal reception attended by H.E. British Ambassador Edward Ferguson, the representatives of the embassies of Australia and Canada, State Secretary in the Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veterans and Social Affairs Mr. Zoran Rajović, the representatives of the Serbian Armed Forces, health institutions, the Red Cross. On behalf of the City of Kragujevac, the audience was addressed by Dr. Gordana Damnjanović, Assistant Mayor for health and social protection, human and minority rights.
Kragujevac is an important city for us, important for our relations with Serbia. Today we are commemorating the 110th anniversary of the death of Dr. Elizabeth Ross, who came as a Scottish doctor during the First World War to help the Serbian people and the army - said the Ambassador of Great Britain, Mr. Edward Ferguson, pointing out that he is very glad that the citizens and the leadership of the City of Kragujevac still cherish the memory of the brave women of the British medical mission who came to Serbia to help during the typhus epidemic.
Dr. Gordana Damnjanović said that Dr. Elizabeth Ross was a woman who was loved and respected by the people of Kragujevac.One hundred and ten years is longer than the average human age, but it is also a pledge for the future, for new generations who remember and glorify her heroic sacrifice and oblige us to send message of peace and humanity from our freedom-loving city - said Dr. Damnjanović.
By helping the Serbian people in the most difficult moments of our history, Dr. Elizabeth Ross obligated our nation to cherish her memory and to pay her due respect - said Minister Zoran Rajović, pointing out that the Ministry of Labour, Veterans and Social Affairs has placed this date high on its agenda and that it participates in commemorating Dr. Ross every year.
In memory of this friendship, Red Cross volunteers donated an apple to the museum of the town of Tain, where Dr. Ross spent most of her life, as a symbol of love, friendship and good health, which was symbolically given to H.E. British Ambassador Edward Ferguson.
After the reception at the City Hall, a memorial service of the clergy of the Šumadija eparchy was held at the cemetery, near the monuments of Dr. Elizabeth Ross and the members of the British medical mission.
