In 1942 she joined the Australian Army Nursing Service with the rank of Lieutenant, serving in varying places including a six-month period at Torokina in the Solomon Islands.
The Chiefs of Torokina district, who represented the Tsiamalili family as well as the people of Amun, Tokoro, Konua, Kerika and Torokina, expressed disgust over the incident and demanded an explanation from the Bougainvillean autonomous government with 48 hours.