BRITAIN'S MINISTERING ANGELS.
In the time of peace (says "The Queen") it is: difficult to realise that one's country is prepared for war and there are people who are fond of declaring that England is not fully equipped in all the branches of her Army and Navy. The awful suddenness with which this war has descended upon us has put to the test all the services of the country, and they have not been found wanting. Throughout the whole day on August 4 there was one continuous stream of men and women passing through the portals of the War Office and of the Admiralty. Crowds stood about on the pavement in the hope of seeing and recognising any of the Ministers, and many of the officials at both offices had not been to bed all night, nor had had time to get any food in the day. Yet they were calm and courteous, and answered all inquiries promptly. Men and women offering their services were told exactly what procedure to follow, and other inquirers were given answers as far as possible. The interior of the War Office is impressive, with its great marble staircases, up which one is led bv a courteous official to a room where all is quiet whatever tumult there may be outside, whatever the awful rush of work which has devolved on each person's head, there is no appearance of hurry.
In reply to the question as to what special preparations were being made for the nursing of the wounded came the calm reply, "None, because we are always ready. Our military hospitals and their staffs are in full working order; Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service and the Territorial Force Nursing Service are both absolutely ready for any emergency, and in the event of war will be able to cope with the work of tending the sick and wounded."
Hundreds of fully-qualified nurses have offered their services, and of course, it is possible they may be required, as no one can predict what is going to happen; but for the moment the War Office is able to meet all demands. The members of both branches of these nursing services are under matrons-in-chief, who have the entire organisation at their finger-tips and know precisely what they can do with the women who are under them.
The Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service is a splendid organisation, which has been extremely busy this last week. The members of the service have to be of British parentage, and possess certificates of three years' training and service in medical and surgical nursing in a civil hospital, and they also have to have an excellent education, a certain social status, and be of high character.
Comparatively few of the general public realise what is the Territorial Force Nursing Service, but it forms a very important arm of the Army nursing service. There are twenty three general hospitals of the Territorial Force in the kingdom, all fully equipped with nursing staffs. The full numbers of nurses forming these staffs would not be called up at the same time. The fully-trained nurse who applies for an appointment in this service must sign a declaration of willingness, in the event of the embodiment of the Territorial Force, to serve if called on in any hospital to which she has been allocated. This service is for home defence.
These nurses have had long years of experience both in civil and military work, and have imbibed the spirit of the Army. They have learned discipline, they have learned self control, they are prepared to face hardships, to endure with fortitude and calmness whatsoever may be before them. Whilst our men will be fighting at the front, our nurses will be doing strenuous work in the base hospitals.
Across the road from the War Office to the Admiralty, and once again one is being courteously guided along long corridors and up many stairs. The interior of the building presents a vast contrast with its narrow, somewhat dark passages to the light and airy spaciousness of the War Office. But the same air of calm, combined with a tremendous sense of work, prevailed. No useless word was uttered, but facts, bare but splendidly impressive and encouraging, were given out in a quiet, authoritative manner.
For the Navy there is a special branch of nursing, the members of which form Queen Alexandra's Royal Navy Nursing Service. The members are obliged to be fully trained (three years) nurses. Foreign service is obligatory. The members have to show not only the usual certificate of training, but also several favorable reports from matrons; they must have some administrative capacity, and also show a general fitness to take charge of wards in Naval hospitals immediately under the medical officers. In the time of peace the number on this reserve is 250. There are three divisions, known as the A Division, B Division, and C Division. The A Division is called up first, and already those who belong to it are in their billets in the various Naval hospitals. These billets are all settled during the time of peace, so that directly there is an emergency they are called upon and sent straight away to their destinations. Probably a fort night after the calling-up of the first division, the second is called, and the third is called out later as required. What will probably be done is that nurses on the regular staffs of the Naval hospitals will be put on our hospital ships, and the Naval Reserve nurses will fill their places. The wounded will be brought back to our home hospitals as fast as possible, so that the work here at home is likely to be very heavy, if the entire number of reserve nurses is inadequate to the needs, the Admiralty already holds dozens of promises from fully, qualified nurses who are now in the great hospitals all over Great Britain,but willing nay, eager-to go to the assistance of their countrymen. These are the three nursing services attached to the Army. Then we come to the Volunteer branches, where the majority, of members are not fully trained nurses, but who all underhand first-aid and home-nursing, invalid cookery, laundry and hygiene. The British Red Cross can raise something like 55,000 men and women if need be. The special work of both the St. John Ambulance Brigade Voluntary Aid Detachment, and the British Red Cross Society is improvisation, and on this account they may prove to be of inestimable value in war-time, when it is quite impossible for enough stores or all kinds to be forthcoming.
Another voluntary body of women who are fully prepared to go to the seat, of the trouble if necessary is the
First Aid Nursing Yeomanry Corps, which has about fifty mounted nurses. They have not only trained in first aid nursing, mid all necessary field sanitation, but can do everything for their horses. They have had some experience of military manoeuvres with our troops at Aldershot, and stood the fatigues of a field day spent in the
saddle without a break with admirable sang-froid.
The British Red Cross Society has shown rapid and splendid development in the last year, and is now fully
prepared to carry out the work forwinch it was formed. Originally, Red Cross Societies were only used in foreign service, but its scope has widened, and now the society has two definite branches of work. The one is to be an auxiliary force to the Territorial Army, and the other the sending relief to foreign countries in the event of war. They would fill in the communicating lines in home defence between the 'front' and the base hospitals. It is said with full assurance as we have already shown, that the Army authorities have made arrangements to provide plenty of people fully skilled in nursing to go with any expeditionary force that may be sent abroad. But these nurses must of course move with the Army wherever the battle takes place. Then comes a long march and another fight occurs, the wounded from the former engagement must be left uncared for or only very barely provided with nurses. It is there that the British Red Cross would find its work, for it would come provided to care for those left behind in the movement of the filed forces.
Tungamah & Lake Rowan Express and St. James Gazette (Vic) Thursday 19 November 1914 page 5
In the time of peace (says "The Queen") it is: difficult to realise that one's country is prepared for war and there are people who are fond of declaring that England is not fully equipped in all the branches of her Army and Navy. The awful suddenness with which this war has descended upon us has put to the test all the services of the country, and they have not been found wanting. Throughout the whole day on August 4 there was one continuous stream of men and women passing through the portals of the War Office and of the Admiralty. Crowds stood about on the pavement in the hope of seeing and recognising any of the Ministers, and many of the officials at both offices had not been to bed all night, nor had had time to get any food in the day. Yet they were calm and courteous, and answered all inquiries promptly. Men and women offering their services were told exactly what procedure to follow, and other inquirers were given answers as far as possible. The interior of the War Office is impressive, with its great marble staircases, up which one is led bv a courteous official to a room where all is quiet whatever tumult there may be outside, whatever the awful rush of work which has devolved on each person's head, there is no appearance of hurry.
In reply to the question as to what special preparations were being made for the nursing of the wounded came the calm reply, "None, because we are always ready. Our military hospitals and their staffs are in full working order; Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service and the Territorial Force Nursing Service are both absolutely ready for any emergency, and in the event of war will be able to cope with the work of tending the sick and wounded."
Hundreds of fully-qualified nurses have offered their services, and of course, it is possible they may be required, as no one can predict what is going to happen; but for the moment the War Office is able to meet all demands. The members of both branches of these nursing services are under matrons-in-chief, who have the entire organisation at their finger-tips and know precisely what they can do with the women who are under them.
The Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service is a splendid organisation, which has been extremely busy this last week. The members of the service have to be of British parentage, and possess certificates of three years' training and service in medical and surgical nursing in a civil hospital, and they also have to have an excellent education, a certain social status, and be of high character.
Comparatively few of the general public realise what is the Territorial Force Nursing Service, but it forms a very important arm of the Army nursing service. There are twenty three general hospitals of the Territorial Force in the kingdom, all fully equipped with nursing staffs. The full numbers of nurses forming these staffs would not be called up at the same time. The fully-trained nurse who applies for an appointment in this service must sign a declaration of willingness, in the event of the embodiment of the Territorial Force, to serve if called on in any hospital to which she has been allocated. This service is for home defence.
These nurses have had long years of experience both in civil and military work, and have imbibed the spirit of the Army. They have learned discipline, they have learned self control, they are prepared to face hardships, to endure with fortitude and calmness whatsoever may be before them. Whilst our men will be fighting at the front, our nurses will be doing strenuous work in the base hospitals.
Across the road from the War Office to the Admiralty, and once again one is being courteously guided along long corridors and up many stairs. The interior of the building presents a vast contrast with its narrow, somewhat dark passages to the light and airy spaciousness of the War Office. But the same air of calm, combined with a tremendous sense of work, prevailed. No useless word was uttered, but facts, bare but splendidly impressive and encouraging, were given out in a quiet, authoritative manner.
For the Navy there is a special branch of nursing, the members of which form Queen Alexandra's Royal Navy Nursing Service. The members are obliged to be fully trained (three years) nurses. Foreign service is obligatory. The members have to show not only the usual certificate of training, but also several favorable reports from matrons; they must have some administrative capacity, and also show a general fitness to take charge of wards in Naval hospitals immediately under the medical officers. In the time of peace the number on this reserve is 250. There are three divisions, known as the A Division, B Division, and C Division. The A Division is called up first, and already those who belong to it are in their billets in the various Naval hospitals. These billets are all settled during the time of peace, so that directly there is an emergency they are called upon and sent straight away to their destinations. Probably a fort night after the calling-up of the first division, the second is called, and the third is called out later as required. What will probably be done is that nurses on the regular staffs of the Naval hospitals will be put on our hospital ships, and the Naval Reserve nurses will fill their places. The wounded will be brought back to our home hospitals as fast as possible, so that the work here at home is likely to be very heavy, if the entire number of reserve nurses is inadequate to the needs, the Admiralty already holds dozens of promises from fully, qualified nurses who are now in the great hospitals all over Great Britain,but willing nay, eager-to go to the assistance of their countrymen. These are the three nursing services attached to the Army. Then we come to the Volunteer branches, where the majority, of members are not fully trained nurses, but who all underhand first-aid and home-nursing, invalid cookery, laundry and hygiene. The British Red Cross can raise something like 55,000 men and women if need be. The special work of both the St. John Ambulance Brigade Voluntary Aid Detachment, and the British Red Cross Society is improvisation, and on this account they may prove to be of inestimable value in war-time, when it is quite impossible for enough stores or all kinds to be forthcoming.
Another voluntary body of women who are fully prepared to go to the seat, of the trouble if necessary is the
First Aid Nursing Yeomanry Corps, which has about fifty mounted nurses. They have not only trained in first aid nursing, mid all necessary field sanitation, but can do everything for their horses. They have had some experience of military manoeuvres with our troops at Aldershot, and stood the fatigues of a field day spent in the
saddle without a break with admirable sang-froid.
The British Red Cross Society has shown rapid and splendid development in the last year, and is now fully
prepared to carry out the work forwinch it was formed. Originally, Red Cross Societies were only used in foreign service, but its scope has widened, and now the society has two definite branches of work. The one is to be an auxiliary force to the Territorial Army, and the other the sending relief to foreign countries in the event of war. They would fill in the communicating lines in home defence between the 'front' and the base hospitals. It is said with full assurance as we have already shown, that the Army authorities have made arrangements to provide plenty of people fully skilled in nursing to go with any expeditionary force that may be sent abroad. But these nurses must of course move with the Army wherever the battle takes place. Then comes a long march and another fight occurs, the wounded from the former engagement must be left uncared for or only very barely provided with nurses. It is there that the British Red Cross would find its work, for it would come provided to care for those left behind in the movement of the filed forces.
Tungamah & Lake Rowan Express and St. James Gazette (Vic) Thursday 19 November 1914 page 5
QUEEN ALEXANDRA NURSES.
Gratuity to be Paid.
A short statement was made by the Acting Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Cook) in the House of Representatives yesterday regarding a proposal by the Ministry to extend to Australian nurses who served in the war under the Queen Alexandra nursing scheme, the same treatment in the payment of a war gratuity us to nurses who enlisted for service with the Australian Imperial Force.
Sir Joseph Cook explained that there were 126 nurses who had gone away under the Queen Alexandra scheme. They had volunteered for service with the A.I.F., but because they had been sent away in support of the Queen Alexandra scheme, they had not participated in the benefits and any privileges which the AIF nurses had received, although they had gone to the front and done their nursing under exactly the same conditions as A.I.F.nurses. Nearly 1,000 nurses had been sent away to serve under the A.I.F., thus setting up a distinction between two sets of nurses rendering exact]) the same class of service. In it's very nature this was in equitable and unfair the Ministry had therefore decided to put all the nurses on the same footing. If a Queen Alexandra nurse had received a gratuity from the Imperial Government she would be given the difference between what she had received and the amount paid by way of gratuity to AIF nurses in the shape of a gratuity bond. This proposal involved the expenditure of a fairly large amount, which would be required to be authorised by act of Parliament. He intended to assume that he might give effect to the proposal in anticipation of the approval of Parliament at once, and on that understanding he would see that justice was done (Hear, hear )
The Argus (Melbourne) Saturday 23 July 1921 page 18
Gratuity to be Paid.
A short statement was made by the Acting Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Cook) in the House of Representatives yesterday regarding a proposal by the Ministry to extend to Australian nurses who served in the war under the Queen Alexandra nursing scheme, the same treatment in the payment of a war gratuity us to nurses who enlisted for service with the Australian Imperial Force.
Sir Joseph Cook explained that there were 126 nurses who had gone away under the Queen Alexandra scheme. They had volunteered for service with the A.I.F., but because they had been sent away in support of the Queen Alexandra scheme, they had not participated in the benefits and any privileges which the AIF nurses had received, although they had gone to the front and done their nursing under exactly the same conditions as A.I.F.nurses. Nearly 1,000 nurses had been sent away to serve under the A.I.F., thus setting up a distinction between two sets of nurses rendering exact]) the same class of service. In it's very nature this was in equitable and unfair the Ministry had therefore decided to put all the nurses on the same footing. If a Queen Alexandra nurse had received a gratuity from the Imperial Government she would be given the difference between what she had received and the amount paid by way of gratuity to AIF nurses in the shape of a gratuity bond. This proposal involved the expenditure of a fairly large amount, which would be required to be authorised by act of Parliament. He intended to assume that he might give effect to the proposal in anticipation of the approval of Parliament at once, and on that understanding he would see that justice was done (Hear, hear )
The Argus (Melbourne) Saturday 23 July 1921 page 18
