New Zealand Military Nursing
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New Zealand Military Nursing |
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New Zealand Army Nursing Service - Royal New Zealand Nursing Corps |
1899 - 1902 |
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With the declaration of war against South Africa, there was an enormous patriotic response and the nurses of New Zealand were no exception. Offers came from many trained nurses. Initially the offer to send nurses from New Zealand to the war in South Africa was declined but the vocal insistence of the nurses and pressure from the New Zealand Government resulted in permission being granted by the Imperial War Department. Nurses had to be first class nurses (this meant a nurse had to have trained in a reputable hospital for at least 2-3 years) and be aged between 25 years and 45 years. Also, they had to be prepared to serve in any military hospital. They were not issued with any distinctive uniform, were paid by public subscription. On arrival in South Africa, nurses were attached to the Princess Christian's Army Nursing Service Reserve. A group of six nurses was approved and were the first to represent New Zealand in a military campaign, becoming the forerunners of the NZANS. They were not issued with any distinctive uniform, were paid by public subscription and in South Africa were attached to the Princess Christian's Army Nursing Service Reserve. Another group to leave New Zealand was announced in the newspaper, the Otago Witness, January 18, 1900. They duly sailed aboard the steamer Lincolnshire from Christchurch and arrived safely in Durban early in March 1900. Their safe arrival was announced in the Otago Witness, March 14, 1900. It is interesting to note that the produce had priority. THE NURSES - Durban, March 5, Each nurse who served during the Boer War was awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal without clasps. The King's South Africa medal was awarded for an additional year of military service in South Africa and was given to 587 nurses of whom 6 were New Zealanders. Two New Zealand nurses were decorated by the British Government for their services. Janet Williamson: Royal Red Cross (RRC),27 September 1901; Mentioned in Dispatches - Lord Roberts, 4 Sept 1901.Dora Peiper: Mentioned in Despatches - Lord Kitchener, 23 June 1902. Approximately 29 NZ Nurses served in the Boer war, these nurses were: |
| Surname (Married Name) | First Name(s) | Surname (Married Name) | First Name(s) | ||
| Atkinson (Popple) | Mabel | Morris | Winifred Grace | ||
| Brooke-Smith | Mabel Ethelind | Peiper | Dora | ||
| Campbell | Isabella | Peter | Emily Jane | ||
| Carston | Margaret | Redstone | Nellie Dean | ||
| Clarke | Jessie Ann | Ross | Miss Sarah Jane | ||
| Eagle | Maud Campbell | Rowley | Emily Marianne | ||
| Godfray | Eva F | Speed (Gillies) | Janet | ||
| Griffith s | Frances Helen | Stevens | Nora | ||
| Harris (MacGregor) | Dora Louisa | Teape | Elizabeth | ||
| Hay (McKenzie) | Elizabeth Rennie | Vere-Hodge | Leila | ||
| Hiatt | Annie | Warmington | Mary E | ||
| Jeffrey s | Geraldine Constance | Webster | Grace Henderson | ||
| Littlecott | Gertrude | Williamson | Janet Wyse Mackie | ||
| Matson | Sister | Woollcombe | Laura R | ||
| Monson | Ellen M (Nellie) | ||||
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The group photo was taken prior to leaving NZ.
The group was led by Janet Williamson seated 2nd from left who was
decorated for her services. Back row: (l-r)Nurses Harris, Peiper & Hay.
Front row: (l-r) Nurses Monson, Williamson (in charge) Ross & Campell
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Bibliography: Sheila Grey – The South African War 1899-1902 - Service Records of British and Colonial Women - published 1993 Sherayl Kendall and David Corbett - New Zealand Military Nursing - A History of the Royal New Zealand Nursing Corps Boer War to the Present Day - published 1990 |
This web site is dedicated to those nurses who have served and continue to serve our country