Nurses On the Western Front

[andigger]

Does any one have information (or can point me in a direction where I might do some research) on American nurses on the western front? I have a friend whose grandmother wrote several letters about her experiences in support of the French lines between late 1916 and late 1918. She has extensive detail about what she sees, and mentions several towns (Vasseny, Brenelle, Chavonne, Ostel) however there is little information about why she was in this particular area, what group/organization she was with, etc. Since her involvement was prior to the US getting involved we do know she volunteered of her own accord, but whether that was through the Red Cross we are not sure. Also it is not clear why she was with the French rather than the British.

Any help others can offer would be greatly appreciated. Also feel free to contact me off line. Thanks, Andy

[Terry Denham]

Try contacting Jim Strawbridge - he is a member of this Forum.

He is our female expert but I am not sure what info he has on American nurses.

[paul guthrie]

I saw an exhibit at the Historial in Peronne on American involvement in reconstruction, lots about women, and I think they will also have information on this. Something related that may bring you somewhere that helps is the American Friends of France, the volunteer ambulance service which was prior to US entry. By the way they have a monument at Meaux which has to be seen to be believed.

Also try posting in forum of US Branch, WFA.

[Sue Light]

Andy

There are lots of books written about the American Army Nurses Corps - perhaps it would be helpful to get hold of one of the following and then have a look at the bibliography, which would hopefully lead on to other sources:

History of the U.S. Army Nurse Corps

Mary Sonnecky

The Army Nurse Corps: Yesterday and Today

Mary Roberts

War Nurses

Shaaron Cosner

Nurses in Action: The Story of the Army Nurses Corps

Julia Flikke

Highlights in the History of the Army Nurses Corps

Carolyn Feller

Some are much heavier on WW2, but may help.

Also there is a book called 'Mademoiselle Miss' - published anonymously I think, and edited by Richard Cabot. It is a series of letters from an American Nurse working in a French Army Hospital in WW1.

Regards - Sue