Armistice Day

[wilfb]

Hi.

The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month - the guns fell silent across Europe, marking the end of one of the greatest carnages known in modern history - WW1....

I watched on TV this morning the remembrance service at Verdun, scene of one of the greatest battles of that war.  Followed shortly afterwards by the remembrance service at the Cenotaph in London - attended by the last three surviving members of the Great War, which ended 90 years ago today.  It struck me how little of my collection of memorabilia comes from nurses involved in that war, not only from our armed services but also the innumerable civilian nurses who must have been involved.

I found that I do possess some priceless pieces - photographs from of named nurses, one of whom we are finding in our first 'Nurse history' project here on SoN.  I have posted a photo of her during WWI at: http://www.schoolsofnursing.co.uk/gallery/displayimage.php?album=34&pos=0. Also photographs of the RRC Medal (awarded to members of the QARANC) can be found at http://www.schoolsofnursing.co.uk/gallery/displayimage.php?album=31&pos=1 and a gold RAMC badge which belonged to Captain William Ernest Fitgerald - who served in the trenches during WWI. He later became MOH to Southport, Lancashire. His wife was one time Matron of New Hall Isolation Hospital at Southport. http://www.schoolsofnursing.co.uk/gallery/displayimage.php?album=38&pos=10

I think that many of us must have badges and other memorabilia which came from the period of WWI. Perhaps it is right that we bring them out into the daylight at least once a year as a mark of respect and rememberance.... today seems an appropriate day. We seem to have so little about this aspect of nursing history on the forum, or other areas of the site, right now. Something which I for one hope, with your help, to put right.

WB.

NB.. Only members will be able to gain access to the photographs linked herein.