Scottish Women's Hospital - All Scottish?

[alf mcm]

I'm currently reading about the Scottish Women's Hospital at Royaumont, and wondered if all the women were actually Scottish? I'm thinking about those in Serbia and other places, including Royaumont.

Regards,

Alf McM

[Sandie Hayes]

I don't think so, well at least one of them wasn't. Mary Frances Ivens was part of the Scottish Women's Hospitals, she was from Liverpool.

[alf mcm]

You're right Sandie.

Mary, her parents and grandparents, were all born in England.I wonder if she was the exception, or if anyone of any nationality could join the SWH?

Regards,

Alf

[rolt968]

I'm at the beginning of some research on the Scottish Women's Hospitals myself, having found mention of two sisters who served in it.

I have found a "History of the Scottish Women's Hospitals" on the archive site:

http://archive.org/details/cihm_65037

I have only glanced through it but I think I understand a section on page 21 discussing their pride in their uniform (with Gordon tartan facings) to indicate that there were English and Welsh members of staff.

Edit: "Miss Ivens of Liverpool" is mentioned on the same page.

Roger.

[frev]

In my database of Australian women who served in WW1, I have 13 ladies that were with the SWH at some stage. These include 5 Doctors – one of whom, Elsie Jean Dalyell (OBE) was at Royaumont from May – Oct 1916. There was also the well-known Aussie, Miles Franklin (VAD), & Olive King, an ambulance driver who actually went on to serve with the Serbian Army.

Spooky coincidence, my book on the SWH at Royaumont just arrived in the mail this morning!!

And having a quick look through the index, I see mentions of Elsie Dalyell, & also Millicent Armstrong – another Aussie.

Cheers, Frev

[alf mcm]

Thanks to you all.

Obviously, you didn't have to be Scottish to join the SWH. I've just read about Marjorie Starr, a Canadian Orderly, complaining about her grey uniform [with tartan collar], and looking like a Scotswoman!

Regards,

Alf

[Don]

Hi Alf,

I came across an advertisement for a Book called " The Scottish Hospital at Royanmount" by Antonio de Navarro.This advertisement

was in March 1918.I wonder is it the same book as yours translated

regards

Gerry

[Sue Light]

The Antonio de Navarro book (1917) is available via archive.org:

The Scottish Women's Hospital at the French Abbey of Royaumont

Unless you want to pay £16 for a reprint via Amazon

Sue

[Don]

Many thanks Sue

Gerry

[alf mcm]

Sue,

Many thanks for the link to the book by Antonio de Navarro. It looks extremely interesting..

Regards,

Alf

[zoritsam]

I am currently researching a story for a documentary on Olive King who served in the Serbian Army. Please help with any details.

Many thansk in advance.

[frev]

I am currently researching a story for a documentary on Olive King who served in the Serbian Army. Please help with any details.

Many thansk in advance.

No doubt you've seen these links: http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/king-olive-may-6962

http://www.awm.gov.au/exhibitions/fiftyaustralians/27.asp

But your best source of information (if you don't already have it) would be to get your hands on a copy of "One Woman at War" - Letters of Olive King 1915-1920 - edited by Hazel King - published by Melbourne University Press 1986 (ISBN 0 522 84316 6).

A truly fascinating look into an amazing woman!

Cheers, Frev

[zoritsam]

Thanks, Frev. There's more to it - my grand dad could have been rescued by her before being taken to Salonika. Other fascinating WW1 hero was Milunka Savić, recognised as the most-decorated female combatant in the entire history of warfare who I would also like to feature in the doco.

Cheers Zee