Glimpses of Canadian History, one vibrant moment at a time
  • Home
  • Admin
  • About me

Canadian Nurses in World War One

  • By Susanna McLeod
  • Feb-21-2013
  • Fascinating Canadian History, Those Canadian Women, they got this
  • Comments Off on Canadian Nurses in World War One

Canadian Nursing Sisters in WWI – courageous women provided soldiers emergency medical care in the field, and security and comfort that only caring women could provide.

Through earsplitting, thunderous explosions and fearful eerie flashes in the distance, the nurses of the Canadian Army Nursing Service in WWI waited for the inevitable arrival of wounded soldiers. At the Casualty Clearing Houses, they worked at a feverish pace to give emergency care for bleeding gashes, broken and missing limbs, and devastating injuries of war. Using injury assessment, the wounded were evaluated and prioritized, helping to save lives. The nurses gave the soldiers hope and security in a bleak time, providing kindness, a maternal touch and the comfort that only caring women could provide.

SuiteNsgSistersWWI

Veterans Affairs Canada stated that from 1914 to 1918, some 3,141 single Canadian women volunteered to join the war effort for Canada. Most of these modern, independent women were high school graduates (a rare commodity for the time) and carried nursing diplomas to certify their valuable skills. An average age of 24 years old, many were sent overseas to areas such as Britain, France, Egypt and Greece.

Under the Canadian military, the women were rewarded with the rank of Lieutenant – though this meant authority in the medical field only. They were given the title of Nursing Sisters, reminiscent of the title religious nurses used, but had no connection. As Lieutenants, the women received generous pay, vacations and good jobs until the end of the war. While overseas, many traveled and explored the world, some to find husbands. Nurses from other countries were envious; their compensation and status were not nearly as liberal.

But, working conditions were grueling. Nursing Sisters worked in hospitals far from the action, others were stationed at Casualty Clearing Stations near the front, living in rough shacks or tents. The possibility of attacks and bombs was a brutal, terrifying reality for the nurses.

Rushed to the stations during battle, there often was not enough space for the massive influx of wounded men. Lying on stretchers, lying on the ground, the nurses stepped over and around patients to perform their duties. The nurses also had to guard the men against infestations of insects, fleas and rats. Hungry, the rats were fearless in their quest for food, even attacking the wounded soldiers.

A shortage of clean water forced the nurses to cope with the spread of infectious diseases. (Along with unpotable water, the supply was occasionally poisoned by the enemy.) Death was always waiting nearby. The nurses were required to make desperate, unwanted choices, “such as deciding to leave a dying patient alone to see to the pressing needs of those who had a chance to survive,” as told on Collections Canada. The war was a severe jolt to the women who had never before experienced such horrifying destruction.

However, because of the immediate care given to the injured soldiers near the field, many more soldiers survived the Great War. Transferred to stationary hospitals, some needed months to recover from their injuries; the nurses became attached to their charges and shared the emotional ups and downs of recovery along with them.

The diligent, courageous women earned respect and honours for their selfless work, their chief concern being the health and safety of their patients. For their bravery, commendations and medals were awarded. As with the soldiers, a number of Nursing Sisters gave their lives during the War. Six nurses were killed in hospital bombings, another 15 were killed when their hospital ship, the Llandovery Castle, was sunk, and 15 nurses died of disease. Several others died on returning home.

In recognition of the great sacrifices made by Canadian Nursing Sisters during World War One, a monument of sculptured marble was installed in 1926 in the Hall of Honour on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario.

This article was originally published on Suite101.com.  Copyright Susanna McLeod

 

Comments

← Previous Post Next Post →

Categories

  • Fascinating Canadian History
  • Those Canadian Women, they got this

Search:

Archives

  • June 2025
  • May 2025
  • April 2025
  • March 2025
  • February 2025
  • January 2025
  • November 2024
  • October 2024
  • September 2024
  • August 2024
  • July 2024
  • June 2024
  • May 2024
  • April 2024
  • March 2024
  • February 2024
  • January 2024
  • December 2023
  • November 2023
  • October 2023
  • September 2023
  • August 2023
  • July 2023
  • June 2023
  • May 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • November 2017
  • April 2017
  • February 2017
  • November 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
About This Site

A cras tincidunt, ut tellus et. Gravida scel ipsum sed iaculis, nunc non nam. Placerat sed phase llus, purus purus elit.

Archives Widget
  • January 2010
  • December 2009
  • November 2009
  • October 2009
Categories
  • Entertainment
  • Technology
  • Sports & Recreation
  • Jobs & Lifestyle
Search

Powered by WordPress  |  Business Directory by InkThemes.