For over 25 years the RCN Northern Ireland History of Nursing Network has been collecting oral histories from nurses willing to share their professional work experience. Collectively, these provide a rich, first-hand archive of nurse training and professional development in Northern Ireland.
Against this background and the many demands on nurses brought about by the 30 years of conflict in Northern Ireland, the network was supported by the RCN in publishing Nurses’ Voices from the Northern Ireland Troubles (2013), a book of narratives written by nurses recalling their experiences of nursing through this traumatic period. This book inspired the BBC documentary, Nurses on the Front Line (2015).
When First World War (1914-1919) commemorations gathered momentum, the Northern Ireland History of Nursing Network realised the importance of gathering the nursing history of nurses who had volunteered to serve with the armed forces in the Great War. With Heritage Lottery Funding secured, the network published a book in 2018 highlighting the contribution of nurses connected with Northern Ireland who had served on the front line.
In 2020, commemorations began to mark the 75th anniversaries of VE and VJ Day, marking the end of the Second World War. The network, led by Chair Margaret Graham, began to identify those who had served in that war in order to publish a book commemorating the bravery of those nurses.
As names and stories were gathered it became evident that many nurses, mostly women, from across Ireland continued to apply to train in British hospitals and when qualified applied to enlist with the Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Nursing Service Reserve (QAIMNSR) to support the war effort. The information therefore also includes those names gathered from the Republic of Ireland. It was well known that many from across Ireland welcomed the opportunity to train as nurses in Great Britain where hospitals often struggled to reach sufficient staffing levels. What was particularly surprising was the large number who had done so.
The book was launched in November at an event in Belfast City Hall, which was attended by the Lord Mayor of Belfast and various dignitaries. The names the network gathered have been listed in the final chapter of the book and are presented as a Roll of Honour. A more complete database of information gathered to date including place of birth, training school and service history has been donated to the Public Records Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) and the Northern Ireland War Memorial in Belfast. A copy is also held in the RCN Northern Ireland Library in Belfast.
Commenting on the project, Rita Devlin, Director of the RCN in Northern Ireland said: “I am delighted that the RCN NI History of Nursing Network has undertaken this project and in doing so has gathered so much of our undocumented nursing history. To read that many nurses from across Ireland made such a significant contribution to the Second World War, which is a story largely undiscovered, is of great professional pride. It is harrowing to learn that many died in very tragic circumstances, at sea and as prisoners of war.
“Those who returned to assist with the establishment of the National Health Service brought back many of the skills gained from the battlefront. Like many veterans, these nurses did not speak of their war-time experiences and few left a written record so their bravery has been largely unrecognised.
“These nurses worked under extreme conditions such as weather, enemy attack, food shortage and patient influx during heavy battle. Their fortitude and selflessness should be acknowledged and applauded. It is hoped that this publication will in some way shine a light on this overlooked group of nurses who were dedicated to caring for their patients despite the risk to themselves.”
The book is available from the RCN NI library with a suggested donation of £5 to support the RCN Foundation.
