Last night Sheila Zerr and Nan Nartin, members of the BC Nursing History Society, spoke about the role of the Nursing Sisters during WWI. Zerr showed us a stained glass window in Vancouver that features an image of a "bluebird". Her skirt is well above her ankles and she is wearing sturdy boots. The story is that the skirts used to be longer, but they trailed in the mud of the battlefield so the sisters cut them and hemmed them shorter. In this way they are credited for introducing the shorter length of the flapper dresses in the 1920's.
Martin showed us an original cuff from a WWI uniform that is white and goes from the wrist to the elbow. It is detachable so it can be removed and cleaned, in fact it is still faintly blood-stained.
One of the mysteries of the uniform is this white rose at the back of the cape. Does anyone know the story behind this detail? According to Canadian author Gabriele Wills, there is an excellent book about nurses in WWI called The Roses of No Man's Land by Lyn MacDonald. Maybe that book tells the tale. Be sure to check out Gabriele's fantastic page about WWI, including facts about the medical front. You'll see the fabulous photo of Gabriele at the Vimy Memorial which I reproduced in the show in the gallery.More than 2,800 Canadian Nursing Sisters served with the Canadian Army Medical Corps during the First World War, often close to the front lines of Europe and within range of enemy attack. With their blue dresses and white veils, they were nicknamed the “bluebirds” and were greatly respected because of their compassion and courage.
WWI
• 6 nurses killed in hospital bombings
• 15 killed when their hospital ship, the Llandovery Castle was sunk
• 15 died of contagious diseases such tuberculosis, which killed several other nurses when they returned home
• bluebirds were the first women allowed to vote legally in Canada in a federal election
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