Move to honour nurses who put their lives on front line

THEY are the forgotten women who gave their lives saving wounded soldiers during the two world wars.

But despite playing an essential part in the war effort their sacrifices have yet to be immortalised in stone.

However, thanks to research carried out by Edinburgh University, that could be about to change.

Yvonne McEwen, honorary fellow at the university's Centre for the Study of Two World Wars, has uncovered the lost stories of about 2000 nurses who served for the UK and who died on the battlefields while trying to save the lives of others.

After being presented with her findings, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has decided to campaign for a national memorial to these forgotten nurses.

The women who died suffered the same kind of "traumatic" deaths as the frontline soldiers, for example dying as a result of shrapnel injuries or from illnesses such as typhoid, malaria and cholera.

They also included a "disproportionate number" of Scottish women, due to Scotland's rapid response to mobilising nurses to send out to the battlefields.

Amongst those who died were Edinburgh nurses Madge Neill Fraser, above, and Jessie Jamieson. Nursing orderly Madge, from Grange Road, was born in the Capital in 1880 and held certificates in first aid and sick nursing from St Andrew's Ambulance Association.

She was a renowned golfer, who played for Scotland every year from 1905 until 1914.

Madge joined Dr Elsie Inglis, then a leading Suffragist, who had formed an all-female medical unit - which became The Scottish Women's Hospital - and saw active service in Serbia.

When Madge joined the Scottish Women's Hospital as an orderly it caused great publicity as she was captain of the Scottish ladies' golf team at the time and was described as "perhaps the most popular woman golfer in Great Britain".

Madge died of typhus on March 8, 1915, at the age of 36. She is buried in Chela Kula Military Cemetery, Nish, the ancient capital of Serbia.

Staff nurse Jessie Jamieson, who is buried in Dalry Road Cemetery, died in 1918, aged 30, after contracting pneumonia during the flu pandemic.

Dr McEwen said: "Last November, I presented to the RCN in London two rolls of honour for the nurses who had died serving two world wars.

"The rolls of honour uncover a history of fortitude, valour, self-sacrifice and dedication.

"The nature of the deaths tells us a lot about the kind of women who were prepared to sacrifice their lives for humanity and their profession. Tragically, their sacrifices have never been properly recognised.

"To my surprise, the RCN said they were going to get behind this idea for a national memorial to be erected and they have started an online petition."

The RCN is calling on members of the public to sign the petition to show their support for all the nurses who have provided care during conflicts.

It is asking for the government to support the campaign for a national memorial "recognising the remarkable service of nursing staff in conflict zones".

Dr Peter Carter, RCN chief executive and general secretary, said: "We believe that the brave and tireless work that all nurses have carried out in service of their country should be honoured on the national stage.

"From the work of Florence Nightingale on the Crimean battlefields to the modern day service of nurses in Afghanistan and other regions, nurses have served with fortitude for generations."

The petition can be found at www.gopetition.com/petition/43705.html