Sisters of the Somme: True Stories from a First World War Field Hospital by Penny Starns

by Penny Starns

Following the outbreak WWI, the British Red Cross appealed for volunteers to train as frontline medical staff, and a major volunteer field hospital was built at Etaples in France. Women volunteered for a variety of reasons. Some believed that they were responding to a vocational or religious calling, others were following a sweetheart to the front, whereas others had been carried away on the wave of jingoistic patriotism that had gripped the nation in 1914. One such volunteer was Lily Fielding. Despite her training, however, Lily and the young friends she was to make at the Somme were ill-prepared for the stench of gangrene and trench foot. Isolated as they were from friends and family at home, they forged new and close relationships with one another, establishing a camaraderie that was to last the entire war and beyond. This book is a heartwarming account of life in one field hospital at the Somme, based on the true stories of the nurses who were there.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, World War I, Military History, British Literature, 20th Century

Paperback

Published January 1, 1660

Reviews

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this informative read. I would have preferred more extracts of actual diaries from the people involved not just the authors take on events.

[Emma Dargue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting look at nursing in World War 1.This book interested me because having read Vera Brittain's Testament Of Youth and really found it interesting when I found this in my local bookshop couldn't resist picking this up. Really loved the way the narrative was set out in slice of life snapshots showing the highs and lows of working and living in a war zone as these brave men and women did during this time. You really get a sense of the pain, trauma and desolation of WW1 life but also the moments of joy and happiness that are shot through this book. Well worth a read and would especially recommend to those interested in World War One history with those especially interested in the history of wartime nursing.

[M Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing account of amazing people

Well written fact based though nice to have personal stories as well as facts. A part of the war that is often overlooked.

[Kazimiera pendrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really great read it is about a hospital which is set up in France during the First World War for the soldiers serving on the Western Front . The book itself was very well written and well researched , I have read other books by this author which are just as good I would recommend this boo to anyone who has an interest in History

[Gillian Norgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting book about the nurses of the Order of St John who cared for the wounded in France during the First World War. I bought this book when I visited the Museum of the Order of St John in September, the book is based on records kept by the Order and shows the tremendously difficult job that nurses and medical staff had during the fighting in France when they were caring for large numbers of wounded brought directly from the battlefields. It’s a hard read in places, the tragedy of the terrible wounds, loss of life and the strain on mental health is very real and moving.

An enjoyable read and educational too.

[Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written. I thought that because of its brevity it could be used as a more or less introduction to nursing during WW1. I thought it was too short and could have been more comprehensive. All in all a worthwhile read.

[Tony Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good read even if you're not that interested in the Great War. Think Call the Midwife with shelling!

[Katie Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this telling of history. It's always nice to see the often forgotten women of way being recognised for their efforts and bravery.

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This book took my breath away. It tells the story of one WWI field hospital and the nurses that worked there based on archive material belonging to the Museum of the Order of St John and some other historical documents. It isn't a hard facts snooze fest but a touching glimpse into the lives of these incredible people.

I don't think I've read a book like this. At times it reads almost like a novel, in a good way, but then you remember that this was real and that these people actually lived. Seriously humbled. Amazing that some of the staff were pretty much on-call, working almost non-stop for months without leave, or that lots of the women volunteered from a comfortable English countryside life, immediately thrown into the hectic pace of not only hospital life in France, but battlefield hospital life.

I'm not sure exactly how much of the details are down to the author's creative license and the style of the book or if it's all based on specifics from diaries and letters. The introduction gives a good overview of the source material but I do wish there had been more extracts from diaries, letters, reports etc. or at least more footnotes or references to point to the origin of certain information. This book isn't about numbers and statistics although there are plenty of those throughout. It's more about the reality of life for these people 100 years ago.

There are plenty of soldier's stories out there and those are obviously incredibly important but it's amazing to read another perspective especially one still so close to the trenches. These nurses saw the horrible results of war, the men now not fighting on the battlefield but fighting for their lives. The quickly evolving weapons of WWI meant quickly evolving medical techniques, which was fascinating to read about. Also the evolution of the nursing profession along with women's fight for rights. Life was so different back then, one example I'd never even thought about is the fact that women had to give up work when they married. One nurse had the opportunity to marry but postponed till the end of the war so she could keep working at the hospital.

This book brings this other world to life. I now have a whole new meaning for the word brave and am so thankful I read it. Inspiring stuff, would love to read again. Highly recommend.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting take on the First World War. Was hoping to read more first hand accounts of the First World War. Nevertheless, I think this work adds another perspective to the First World War, and I think it is an important one especially since there were so many casualties in the war. A definite read for anyone wanting to know more about the First World War.

[Jackie O'sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

great little book. Not as detailed or as long as Anzac sisters but very similar issues covered and done detailing the personal experiences of a select few.