Nurses had a reputation back then which was that they had no greater skills or were more qualified than a first aid worker. This image was proved wrong for the Australian nurses saved many thousands of dying soldiers with the limited and improvised equipment. Statistics show that 2139 nurses served overseas and 423 served in hospitals in Australia. Only 25 died out of this large amount which is incredible considering the condition they were forced to live and work in. Sister Jessie Tomlins quotes “I believe it to be awful in India. English nurses could not stand the heat and cholera…that is why they have sent Australians.”
The hospitals in which the nurses operated in were not on the battle field itself however behind the lines. The other was hospitals were located either on ships or trains. There were a range of different hospitals set up that spanned over the war or neighboring countries such as: Britain, India, Mediterranean, France, Egypt, Belgium and the Middle East.
The conditions these nurses had to face were horrendous. They experienced everything any soldiers would have under the circumstances; shock, terror, fear, depression and exhaustion. No matter what they felt on the inside the outside of the nurse was always caring, comforting, understanding and doctoring. Just imagine some of the gruesome sights they would have seen when men were rushed to them for immediate attention. The nurses were also at high risk of catching any of the contagious diseases the sick soldiers endured such as influenza. The amount of supplies such as medications and bandages weren’t abundant therefore the nurses had to improvise in order to continue to save those near to death. An addition to the many hardships already mentioned is space. The soldiers were crowded in the hospital tents and had to live like this until they were sent home and for the nurses, until the war had finally finished.
During the time of World War 1 various Medals were created and were given to the nurses and decoration of bravery, honour, devotion and gratitude. The Royal Red Cross was established by Queen Victoria. It was to be awarded to the nursing women who displayed great capability and skill in their work. The Military Medal was awarded to those who showed bravery and devotion under fire. Only 3 nurses were awarded this and Australian Dorothy Cawood was one of those due her bravery in evacuating the patients of her hospital, the 2nd casualty clearing station, which was under bombing. The other Medal awarded to the nurses were the Medal of the Florence Nightingale by the Red Cross. This was for exceptional work in caring for the sick and injured.
The hospitals in which the nurses operated in were not on the battle field itself however behind the lines. The other was hospitals were located either on ships or trains. There were a range of different hospitals set up that spanned over the war or neighboring countries such as: Britain, India, Mediterranean, France, Egypt, Belgium and the Middle East.
The conditions these nurses had to face were horrendous. They experienced everything any soldiers would have under the circumstances; shock, terror, fear, depression and exhaustion. No matter what they felt on the inside the outside of the nurse was always caring, comforting, understanding and doctoring. Just imagine some of the gruesome sights they would have seen when men were rushed to them for immediate attention. The nurses were also at high risk of catching any of the contagious diseases the sick soldiers endured such as influenza. The amount of supplies such as medications and bandages weren’t abundant therefore the nurses had to improvise in order to continue to save those near to death. An addition to the many hardships already mentioned is space. The soldiers were crowded in the hospital tents and had to live like this until they were sent home and for the nurses, until the war had finally finished.
During the time of World War 1 various Medals were created and were given to the nurses and decoration of bravery, honour, devotion and gratitude. The Royal Red Cross was established by Queen Victoria. It was to be awarded to the nursing women who displayed great capability and skill in their work. The Military Medal was awarded to those who showed bravery and devotion under fire. Only 3 nurses were awarded this and Australian Dorothy Cawood was one of those due her bravery in evacuating the patients of her hospital, the 2nd casualty clearing station, which was under bombing. The other Medal awarded to the nurses were the Medal of the Florence Nightingale by the Red Cross. This was for exceptional work in caring for the sick and injured.