Veiled Warriors: Allied Nurses of the First World War

The article discusses the challenges and complexities of caring for the wounded of the First World War, challenging the distorted image of allied nurses as self-sacrificing heroines. It highlights the nurses' significant contributions to the allied cause on both the Western and Eastern Fronts, including their work in casualty clearing stations, transports, and military hospitals. The nurses were also fighting for recognition for their profession and political rights for women.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 22 April 2021
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Caring for the wounded of the First World War was a demanding and challenging task that required extensive knowledge, technical skill, and a high level of commitment. While allied nurses were admired in their own time for their altruism and courage, their image was often distorted by popular mythology. They were often portrayed as self-sacrificing heroines, romantic foils to male combatants, and doctors' handmaidens rather than being recognized as trained professionals performing significant work in their own right.

In her book, "Veiled Warriors: The Untold Story of Allied Nursing in the First World War," Christine Hallett challenges these myths and presents a more complex and absorbing account of allied nursing in the war. Drawing upon evidence from archives across the world, Hallett offers a compelling account of the wartime experiences of nurses and their contributions to the allied cause between 1914 and 1918, on both the Western and Eastern Fronts.

Nurses believed they were involved in a multi-layered battle. Primarily, they were fighting for the lives of their patients on the "second battlefield" of casualty clearing stations, transports, and military hospitals. Beyond this, they were an integral component of the allied military machine, putting their own lives at risk in field hospitals close to the front lines, on board hospital ships vulnerable to enemy submarine attack, and in base hospitals subject to heavy bombardment.

As working women in a sometimes hostile and chauvinistic world, allied nurses were also fighting to gain recognition for their profession and political rights for their sex. They saw military nursing as a way to win not only the war itself but also a more powerful voice for women in the post-war world.

One of the key themes of "Veiled Warriors" is the bravery and resilience of allied nurses in the face of extreme adversity. Nurses worked tirelessly to care for the wounded, often under conditions that were primitive and dangerous. They faced long hours, inadequate supplies, and the constant threat of disease and injury. Despite these challenges, they remained committed to their mission and often went above and beyond the call of duty to save the lives of their patients.

Another important aspect of allied nursing in the war was the role that nurses played in promoting public health and sanitation. They worked to prevent the spread of infection and disease by cleaning wounds, administering medication, and providing basic medical care. This work was critical in reducing the mortality rate among wounded soldiers and helping to ensure that they could recover and return to their homes.

In addition to their medical duties, allied nurses also played a significant role in supporting the emotional and psychological well-being of their patients. They provided comfort and reassurance to those who had been wounded and traumatized by the war. They also acted as a source of support for their colleagues, who were often dealing with the same stress and trauma as the patients they cared for.

Despite their contributions to the war effort, allied nurses faced significant challenges and discrimination. They were often paid less than their male counterparts and had fewer opportunities for advancement and recognition. They were also subjected to sexism and chauvinism from their colleagues and superiors, who saw them as inferior to men in the field of medicine.

Despite these challenges, allied nurses continued to work tirelessly to care for the wounded and promote the cause of the allied war effort. They played a critical role in shaping the history of medicine and nursing and helped to pave the way for the recognition and respect that they deserve today.

In conclusion, caring for the wounded of the First World War was a demanding and challenging task that required extensive knowledge, technical skill, and a high level of commitment. While allied nurses were admired in their own time for their altruism and courage, their image was often distorted by popular mythology. In her book, "Veiled Warriors: The Untold Story of Allied Nursing in the First World War," Christine Hallett challenges these myths and presents a more complex and absorbing account of allied nursing in the war. Drawing upon evidence from archives across the world, Hallett offers a compelling account of the wartime experiences of nurses and their contributions to the allied cause between 1914 and 1918, on both the Western and Eastern Fronts.

Nurses believed they were involved in a multi-layered battle. Primarily, they were fighting for the lives of their patients on the "second battlefield" of casualty clearing stations, transports, and military hospitals. Beyond this, they were an integral component of the allied military machine, putting their own lives at risk in field hospitals close to the front lines, on board hospital ships vulnerable to enemy submarine attack, and in base hospitals subject to heavy bombardment.

As working women in a sometimes hostile and chauvinistic world, allied nurses were also fighting to gain recognition for their profession and political rights for their sex. They saw military nursing as a way to win not only the war itself but also a more powerful voice for women in the post-war world.

One of the key themes of "Veiled Warriors" is the bravery and resilience of allied nurses in the face of extreme adversity. Nurses worked tirelessly to care for the wounded, often under conditions that were primitive and dangerous. They faced long hours, inadequate supplies, and the constant threat of disease and injury. Despite these challenges, they remained committed to their mission and often went above and beyond the call of duty to save the lives of their patients.

Another important aspect of allied nursing in the war was the role that nurses played in promoting public health and sanitation. They worked to prevent the spread of infection and disease by cleaning wounds, administering medication, and providing basic medical care. This work was critical in reducing the mortality rate among wounded soldiers and helping to ensure that they could recover and return to their homes.

In addition to their medical duties, allied nurses also played a significant role in supporting the emotional and psychological well-being of their patients. They provided comfort and reassurance to those who had been wounded and traumatized by the war. They also acted as a source of support for their colleagues, who were often dealing with the same stress and trauma as the patients they cared for.

Despite their contributions to the war effort, allied nurses faced significant challenges and discrimination. They were often paid less than their male counterparts and had fewer opportunities for advancement and recognition. They were also subjected to sexism and chauvinism from their colleagues and superiors, who saw them as inferior to men in the field of medicine.

Despite these challenges, allied nurses continued to work tirelessly to care for the wounded and promote the cause of the allied war effort. They played a critical role in shaping the history of medicine and nursing and helped to pave the way for the recognition and respect that they deserve today.

Weight: 414g
Dimension: 136 x 217 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780198703709