Nursing Sisters Departing

During the Boer War, many women travelled over to South Africa as nurses to assist in the military and civilian hospitals. Their participation was rarely officially endorsed with only the New South Wales government actually paying their wages and transport. Other contingents of nurses were assisted by private subscriptions. Some paid their own way.

The work of the nurses was often treated as human interest stories in the local media rather than as a serious section of the war effort. And despite this, nurses were always in peril and some died as a consequence of this danger. Many worked excessive hours bringing comfort to the injured and diseased troops. It was almost a silent service. Occasionally their work was brought into public notice.

This album attempts to redress this situation. Every known Australian nurse who served in South Africa will be represented. If a photograph is not available, a blank space will be inserted with the hope that one will be found.