December - RAAMC Assn. Home Page

Care, comfort, courage
A new exhibition at the Australian War Memorial looks at the history of Australian military
nursing.
Australian nurses have been going to war for well over 100 years.
A new exhibition at the Australian War Memorial draws on its rich collection to explore the
service of military nurses, from the first known Australian in the Zulu War of 1879 right up to the
experiences of the male and female nurses serving in recent conflicts and peacekeeping
operations.
More than 3,000 Australian civilian nurses volunteered for active service during the First World
War. As well as being involved in the war effort, nursing also provided opportunities for
independence and travel, sometimes with the hope of being closer to loved ones overseas. The
women worked in hospitals, on hospital ships and trains, or in casualty clearing stations closer
to the front line. They served in locations from Britain to India, taking in France and Belgium,
the Mediterranean, and the Middle East.
When the Second World War broke out, nurses again volunteered,
motivated by a sense of duty and a desire to “do their bit”.
Eventually, some 5,000 Australian nurses served in a variety of
locations, including the Middle East, the Mediterranean, Britain, Asia,
the Pacific, and Australia. Seventy-eight died, some through accident
or illness, but most as a result of enemy action or while prisoners of
war.
At first, the Australian Army Nursing Service (AANS) was the only
women’s service. The Royal Australian Air Force Nursing Service
(RAAFNS) was formed in 1940, and the Royal Australian Navy
Nursing Service (RANNS) in 1942. But the AANS remained by far
the largest, and also made up the bulk of those who served
overseas.
Today, both male and female nurses are officers in the Australian
Defence Force. With a high level of specialist training and the benefit
of improved technology, these men and women continue to work in
remote and dangerous places, often under difficult conditions. They
share a spirit of adventure, a desire to make a difference, and the
discipline required to work in a military team. But
most of all, like yesterday’s nurses they remain
committed to putting their patients first, come what
may.
Watch the YouTube video:
Nurses: from Zululand to Afghanistan.
On display until 17 October 2012
Australian War Memorial
Treloar Crescent, Campbell
10 am – 5 pm – Free entry
02 6243 4211
awm.gov.au
AWM H16062:
Sister Nellie Morrice
from Sutton Forest
NSW treated patients
from Gallipoli in 1915.
AWM OG3345:
Sister Elizabeth Bray
and a nursing orderly attend to
their patients before a flight
between New Guinea and
Australia, c. 1944.
20050119ran8097690:
RAN reserve nurse Commander
Terrence Slader checks the
pulse of a baby in Banda Aceh
hospital after the Boxing Day
tsunami in 2004.
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