Tonym Posted 5 April , 2013 Share Posted 5 April , 2013 I have an English nursing casualty who died in France in 1917. She served in the French Red Cross and a French hospital. Her classification is "INFIERE MAJOR" and I understand that the translation of Infiere is 'Nurse' so would any member know the full translation of "INFIERE MAJOR"? - ( Senior Nurse - Matron - ???). Grateful for any suggestions Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue Light Posted 5 April , 2013 Share Posted 5 April , 2013 Tony I'm certainly no French speaker/expert, but from records I have here there seems to be: Infirmière, which is the usual French word for 'nurse' Infirmière Major, which I've taken to be the Sister in charge or Matron - the senior nurse in that unit, anyway. Infirmière titulaire de troisième classe - no idea what this is exactly, but seems often to be applied to nuns, who made up a lot of the French nursing staff. Because the French system of hospitals and nurses was so different to the English (and Dominions) at that time I think perhaps the titles varied according to the type and size of the unit. Sue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonym Posted 5 April , 2013 Author Share Posted 5 April , 2013 Thanks Sue I guessed that you would be along. If no other suggestions I will opt for Senior Nurse. Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Bennitt Posted 5 April , 2013 Share Posted 5 April , 2013 I've just finished reading Paul Linier's memoirs of his time with a French 75 battery (they end only hours before he was killed in 1916) and there are quite a few references to "majors" in a medical context, which I had not encountered before. In this,case it seems to refer to a military doctor, while an infimière/infirmier major is a head nurse. See this French dictionary site, para 4, then lower down under REM. http://www.cnrtl.fr/definition/major//1 cheers Martin B , Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonym Posted 5 April , 2013 Author Share Posted 5 April , 2013 Thanks Martin 'Head Nurse' - I suppose a Matron is a Head Nurse! I will have to ponder on that one. At least my original thought was in the right direction. Thanks again. Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue Light Posted 5 April , 2013 Share Posted 5 April , 2013 Tony Perhaps it might be better to leave it in the original. I think the US uses the term 'Head Nurse' and 'Matron' is very British. So maybe 'Infirmière-Major' should stay. If you were referring to a French or German soldier, you wouldn't try to Anglicise their rank. Sue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragon Posted 5 April , 2013 Share Posted 5 April , 2013 In my view, Sue is right about leaving the title in French. I don't know whether you are aware that on the French forum there's quite an extensive section about the medical services. (Service santé) Gwyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auchonvillerssomme Posted 5 April , 2013 Share Posted 5 April , 2013 The modern Infirmiere Major is a Senior Staff Nurse/Sister, post degree, usually employed with at least 6 months experience in their specialism. So perhaps not a matron. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonym Posted 5 April , 2013 Author Share Posted 5 April , 2013 Tony Perhaps it might be better to leave it in the original. I think the US uses the term 'Head Nurse' and 'Matron' is very British. So maybe 'Infirmière-Major' should stay. If you were referring to a French or German soldier, you wouldn't try to Anglicise their rank. Sue I must agree with Sue. However, as my profile on her, when I get the final details, will be in English I have decided to use the French title and bracket (possibly Head Nurse) that way I can be excused if I am wrong, Thanks all for your efforts. Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auchonvillerssomme Posted 6 April , 2013 Share Posted 6 April , 2013 There might be no strict definition and I don't know how different nursing in France was 100 years ago, I can only go by the modern EU equivalencies by which I could recruit in the UK and from French nursing job sites, and a senior staff nurse or sister is a long way from being a head nurse or matron. I would have thought 'senior nurse' would be more appropriate until her specific duties at that time could be defined. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonym Posted 6 April , 2013 Author Share Posted 6 April , 2013 There might be no strict definition and I don't know how different nursing in France was 100 years ago, I can only go by the modern EU equivalencies by which I could recruit in the UK and from French nursing job sites, and a senior staff nurse or sister is a long way from being a head nurse or matron. I would have thought 'senior nurse' would be more appropriate until her specific duties at that time could be defined. That settles it! I will quoute her nursing status as 'Infiere Major' and let the reader decide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Bennitt Posted 6 April , 2013 Share Posted 6 April , 2013 That settles it! I will quoute her nursing status as 'Infiere Major' and let the reader decide. not infiere but infirmière (don't forget the accent) cheers Martin B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue Light Posted 6 April , 2013 Share Posted 6 April , 2013 The Royal Red Cross Register lists all French nurses who were awarded the RRC/ARRC during the Great War, together with details of their unit. For foreign nationals these awards tended to be given to the senior nurse at a unit, perhaps with a second award to a more junior member. The most senior 'rank' ever mentioned for these French awards is 'Infirmière(-)Major' and because of this I have to conclude that it was used at that time for the 'head nurse.' It needs to be remembered that during the Great War the hospitals and 'ambulances' were totally unlike hospitals today, and the system of nursing in France completely different. Sue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonym Posted 6 April , 2013 Author Share Posted 6 April , 2013 Martin I stand to be corrected but quoted it as inscribed on War Memorial, I will rectify it in my profile. Sue My lady is recorded on the memorial as 'Medaille D'Honneur'. A search on Google illustrates numerous designs according to occupation/service but nothing specific for nursing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Bennitt Posted 6 April , 2013 Share Posted 6 April , 2013 Martin I stand to be corrected but quoted it as inscribed on War Memorial, I will rectify it in my profile. Suggest that's an abbreviation to save space cheers Martin B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue Light Posted 6 April , 2013 Share Posted 6 April , 2013 Sorry Tony but I'm pretty clueless on French medals and awards other than knowing that they had them! Sue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonym Posted 6 April , 2013 Author Share Posted 6 April , 2013 OK Sue, the illustration of the medal is not important. However, I have just received more info regarding her position at the hospital. She apparantly joined the V.A.D. at the start of the war and was offered an appointment at the hospital as an 'Infirmière' in early 1915 and progressed so well that she was promoted 'Infirmière Major' in charge of the theatre and the radiograph room; so 'Senior Nurse' at least. Info building up slowly. I have had this unfortunate lady in and out of my pending file for 5 years now. Looks like I will soon be able to give her a permanent home. Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
royalredcross Posted 11 April , 2013 Share Posted 11 April , 2013 As a nurse, the French Medaille d'Honneur is most likely to ahve been the Medaille des Epidemies which was awarded in small numbers to British military nurses and also to nurses serving with the French. Those in the first category are gazetted: those in the second are not. NGG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonym Posted 12 April , 2013 Author Share Posted 12 April , 2013 Thanks Norman Grateful Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smiller Posted 12 May , 2013 Share Posted 12 May , 2013 My French teacher has spent many years teaching French to adults and moved from France to Australia 5 years ago. She gave the following: "une infirmière" = nurse "une infirmière en chef" or "une matrone" = matron "une infirmière major" = senior nursing sister "une aide-soignate" = nursing aid (unable to give medication or take blood) "un agent hospitalier" = orderly Cheers Sarah Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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