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Australian Nurses In The First World War Essay

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For eras women have been involved in every type of war and conflict imaginable their main role was being a trained nurse. Australian nurses have dealt with many types of issues in the war, including the wounded, the dead and the sick (see appendix 1). They have aided in Australia, war zones throughout the world, on hospital ships/transports and buildings. When the Second World War started, nurses again volunteered to be a part of it (see appendix 2). They did this as they were motivated by an appreciation of duty and a desire to “do their bit” In the war. Eventually, a few of the 5,000 Australian nurses served in a diversity of locations, involving the Middle East (see appendix 3) “On duty 6.30 pm to find the place v. busy & as night went on it got worse. 23rd Batt. Mach-gunned & patients poured in, theatre going all night. By morning all v. tired.” (1) the Mediterranean, Asia “We knew we were living on a knife edge... we were starving and we were sick... if the Japs didn’t kill us, disease probably would.” (2), The UK, the Pacific, and their home country Australia. …show more content…

For most of this Word War, nurses were the only females to attend outside of Australia in any capacity, except for the Australian Women's Army Service. During this war the losses of nurses was much higher than the las war. Over 3,477 Australian Army Nurse Service (AANS) nurses served, and out of that only 71 never returned, which means they lost their lives during operating services while overseas. During World War II, many women serving as AANS nurses, including Vivian Bullwinkel, were taken captive of war by the Japanese forces in Japan. They experienced severe suffering, withdrawal, and illness helped to make this unpleasant war-time experience for themselves and also friends/family. Friendships, trustworthiness and mutual support attempted to help in these trying environments, but not all of the women survived. (see appendix

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