Anzac Girls: The Extraordinary Story Of Our World War 1 Nurses

by Peter Rees

By the end of the Great War, forty-five Australian and New Zealand nurses had died on overseas service and over two hundred had been decorated. These were the women who left for war looking for adventure and romance but were soon confronted with challenges for which their civilian lives could never have prepared them. Their strength and dignity were remarkable.

Using diaries and letters, Peter Rees takes us into the hospital camps and the wards, and the tent surgeries on the edge of some of the most horrific battlefronts of human history. But he also allows the friendships and loves of these courageous and compassionate women to shine through and enrich our experience.

Profoundly moving, Anzac Girls is a story of extraordinary courage and humanity shown by a group of women whose contribution to the Anzac legend has barely been recognised in our history. Peter Rees has changed that understanding forever.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, War, Historical, World War I, Audiobook, Australia

431 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Peter Rees was a journalist for more than forty years, working as federal political correspondent for the Melbourne Sun, the West Australian and the Sunday Telegraph. He is the author of The Boy from Boree Creek: The Tim Fischer Story (2001), Tim Fischer's Outback Heroes (2002), Killing Juanita: a true story of murder and corruption (2004), and The Other Anzacs: The Extraordinary story of our World War I Nurses (2008 and 2009) and Desert Boy: Australians at War from Beersheba to Tobruk to El Alamein (2011 and 2012). He is currently working on a biography of Charles Bean to be published in 2015.

Reviews

[Jennifer (JC-S) · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘It makes us feel we are helping just a bit, and the wonderful self-denial and courage of them all the time, all the time!’

In July 1917, Sister Alice Ross-King was on duty at the Second Australian Casualty Clearing Station near Armentieres in France when the Germans began bombarding the hospital. Sister Ross-King had been called to see a patient delirious with pneumonia and was following an orderly, Private John Wilson, along the duckboards when a bomb exploded near them.

In her diary, Sister Ross-King later recorded that: ‘The noise was so terrific and the concussion so great that I was thrown to the ground and had no idea where the damage was.’

She got up, and raced along the duckboards to check her patients. The tent with the pneumonia patient had collapsed and she shouted for help. Eventually she found her patient on the ground at the back of his stretcher. She leant across the stretcher to try to lift him. She thought she had her arm under his leg, but when she lifted it: ‘I found to my horror that it was a loose leg with a boot and a puttee on it.’ It was Private Wilson’s leg. The next day, his torso was found in a tree.

This incident is one of a number of memorable moments in this book. Peter Rees has drawn from the diaries and letters of some of the nurses from Australia and New Zealand who served in the First World War.

‘As nurses in Australia and New Zealand saw it, the issue in 1914 was quite simple. They wanted to be there, with their boys, when they went to war.’

By the end of the First World War, 45 Anzac nurses had died on overseas service, and more than 200 had been decorated. Among the 200 were Alice Ross-King, Clare Deacon, Dorothy Cawood and Mary-Jane Derrer who each received the Military Cross for their bravery in July 1917 during the German raid.

I was led to this book after watching the ABC TV series ‘The Anzac Girls’ earlier this year. The series, which focusses on the lives of four of the nurses (including Alice Ross-King) reminds us of the importance of the role played by nurses during this conflict. It reminds us, too, of their courage and strength, their dignity and devotion to their duty. This book provides more background and more detail of the lives and work of these women. Of the personal and professional sacrifices they made in support of Australia’s war efforts. These women were also heroes, frequently discriminated against, unrecognised and unacknowledged.

‘For all the returned nurses in this early pot-war period, it was soon clear that they remained invisible from the emerging Anzac legend, which comprised only men. This was a product of the times, when women were still regarded as dependents of men. Authorities in Australia saw the nurses’ role as secondary to that of the soldier.’

The diaries of Alice Ross-King, who died in 1968, are in the Australian War Memorial where Mr Rees had access to them in writing this book. She was a remarkable woman, and I hope that her complete diaries are published one day.

I recommend this book, to those who’ve watched ‘The Anzac Girls’ as well as to those who haven’t. This is another aspect of World War One: the very significant role played by some dedicated and courageous women. Their story deserves more attention.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

[Corinne Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

When we think of war, we generally think of soldiers. In World War I, we imagine them in the trenches, drowning in mud and the immense suffering of those who were exposed to lethal gasses. What I don't think about as much is those who eased the suffering of these soldiers. Women who weren't even particularly welcome, sometimes at all, at the front, who risked their lives to work in field hospitals, dressing stations and the countless other hospitals that saw to the unthinkable numbers of wounded.

This book tells the story of the nurses who left their comfortable homes in Australia and New Zealand and fought in a war. Fought with the same amount of courage as any other soldier. Maybe they weren't holding a gun but they were tending to wounded on the same ships that were getting torpedoed and they drowned just like any other soldier. They tended to the wounded in hospitals that got shelled and they were killed like any other soldier. They caught the Spanish flu, got shell shock and they had to don their gas masks when the gasses reached them. They lived in horrendous conditions and had to work under duress just like any other soldier.

Of course, they witnessed a horror and carnage that I can't even comprehend. Women spent actual YEARS of their lives focused on the care of "their boys." And of course it wasn't ALL completely horrible. People flirted and fell in love. Especially at the beginning of the war, there was time for exploring and sightseeing between battles and nearly all nurses saw the world for the first time. I learned a little about Australian politics and a lot about the war. Some sections moved a little slower than others but I thought that more factual history was tied in very nicely with diary entries and the personal experiences of specific nurses. It has certainly given me a much great appreciation for nursing and the role that they played for those in their care.

War is horrible. Actually and completely horrible. The numbers of lives lost in The Great War makes me feel physically ill. I think this book is important because it puts a human face on the numbers we can't even comprehend.

['Aussie Rick' · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Other Anzacs by Peter Rees offers the reader the chance to delve into the lives of those mostly forgotten heroes of the First Australian Imperial Force (AIF). This is the story of those forgotten heroines; the nurses from Australia and New Zealand who volunteered to follow our soldiers into the Great War and provide nursing support under some of the harshest conditions imaginable.

Most served on the Western Front and a number lost their lives looking after wounded Allied soldiers. This is a great book, easy to read, well researched and nicely presented. The book is full of interesting facts and touching first-hand accounts. I found the book a pleasure to read and I learnt for the first time of the sacrifices made by these marvellous nurses, which I think more people should know about.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book took me a little while to get in to, as it's a bit dry at the beginning, with all the footnotes and quotes punctuating the story. But once I got used to it I found it very interesting. The strength of these women was amazing. The death and destruction they must have seen during the war seems incomprehensible but the book gives you a good idea of the horrors of war.

[Mel Corser · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was looking forward to reading about the challenges and accomplishments of the ANZAC girls. Did not meet my expectations, the book focused on the love lives of the women, lot necessarily the hard medical task at hand in the deep way it can be. Not a re-read for me.

[Amanda - Mrs B's Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book to compliment the ABC Television series the ANZAC Girls, which this book is based on. I found this book a fine accompaniment to the Television series but also a comprehensive history of the forgotten heroines of the ANZAC legend, the hardworking nurses who served in the Great War. This book combines well an array of sources such as diary entries, personal letters, official documents, a collection of photographs and firsthand accounts of the nurses. At times, the accounts are extremely moving, the nurses faced unimaginable horrors while working in harsh conditions such as hastily erected hospital camps, tent surgeries and ill equipped hospital ships. Counteracting these horrors of the battlefield, are tales of mateship and love, these are the parts which I enjoyed reading the most. This is a well researched book that does a good job of opening the reader’s eyes to the sacrifices made by these courageous women.

[Linda Conaghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly powerful book. I've seen a couple of reviews of the TV miniseries and would recommend reading the book instead.

[Karen Strong · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw the TV series first and was impressed by this remarkable picture of the dedication and competence of Australian and New Zealand nurses in WWI. Their willingness to persevere in great danger and horrendous conditions as medical professionals is astonishing. There’s no “what’s in it for me” in their letters and memoirs, or the historical reports. The book is well done and provides a window into the experiences of the nurses and the grim realities of the so-called Great War. And it’s humbling to think of the service they gave.

I’ll never think of Anzac Day the same again. (Ok, truth be told, I never really thought of it before—ignorant American that I am.)

[Janelle Varlow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly taken with this book. Cannot use the word “enjoyment “ to describe my feelings but I found it difficult to put down. Peter Rees wove together the letters and diary entries of the nurses with such skill that you felt a personal affinity with each one. The blunders of the military leadership were described but not overly emphasised but the discrimination experienced by the nurses was clearly explained. The stark descriptions of the scenes at the front were in great contrast to the periodic descriptions of the times spent on leave by the nurses. Cannot recommend this book highly enough.

[Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really found this book both informative and entertaining, the deeds that these girls performed was both inspiring and courageous under trying circumstances. This book really give a really good look at what they endured, plus what they achieved in equal measure. I recommend this book highly!!

[Belinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book.

[Ross Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just Fantastic !!!
What an absolute eye opener.
After reading heaps of military books, finally… I get to read an excellent account of Nursing in and around the battles fields, front lines, casualty clearing stations (CCS) and the various in country and out of country support teams.
Reliving WW1 battles via the retelling of first-hand personal letters of the ANZAC Nurses. ✅
Detailing supreme Nursing & Medical Corps efforts, thru a well documented chronological account.✅

[Jenny Cook · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting read in terms of highlighting the very important yet underestimated role that nurses played in WW1. The book largely focuses on the contribution of Australian and New Zealand nurses. It is an interesting read in that it focuses on a few women and provides background of their lives before, during and after WW1. It is also fascinating as geographical context is provided moving between the hospitals established in Cairo, hospital ships off Gallipoli and the Greek islands. It is moving to read how these nurses cared for their patients in awful conditions with limited medical supplies and the appreciative response of the badly wounded and maimed soldiers.

The only negative I have for this book is that unfortunately my attention wandered after half way
through the book and I had to plod along through to the end. I ascribe this to the writing style as being quite dry and frankly I got bored. But it is an interesting read about a little known contribution made by nurses to the WW1 effort.

[Lianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book really opened my eyes to the remarkable, nay astonishing, feats of endurance and achievement of our nurses during wartime. These women didn't have to go to war, they weren't given white feathers, or anything like that. They wanted to go and look after 'our boys'. And what a job they did under truly hellish conditions that are part and parcel of that first horrible global conflict. They went, they suffered, they endured, they did marvellous work that did all us Aussies and New Zealanders proud. They all deserved medals, but decorated or no, this book will ensure that, once read, these women will never be forgotten.

[Teagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

After falling in love with the mini series this book became a must read for me.

At first I thought that the book wasn't for me and was going to be a bit boring. I was wrong. Rees narrates the horrific and factual events of war whilst weaving in the diary entries of countless nurses who served in various parts of the world.

Their struggle is real in every page of the book and it becomes clear that the diggers are not the only ones responsible for forming the Australian identity.

I now appreciate their sacrafice even more so and I hope that if I lived during this time of history I would have had their strength and courage.

A must read for any Australian.

[Michael Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anzac Girls by Peter Rees is an excellent work of non-fiction following the lives of Australian and New Zealand nurses as they deal with the relentless horror and stress of treating soldiers who had been wounded, physically and mentally, during WW1.
We often read about the impact of war on the combatants, but Rees was able to illustrate, and in some way, bring to light, the horrors nurses endured under incredibly difficult circumstances. The thorough research of historical records and personal correspondence was used very well in this book. It
I would reccommend this book without hesitation.

[Maggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very detailed account of the mostly Aust & NZ nurses who served overseas during WW1. I've read numerous accounts of this time, diaries of those who served and so on, and found this less absorbing than I would have had I not had previous knowledge. Well written, just didn't grab me. And unlike other reviewers who enjoyed the romantic angle I found it annoying. Think I've read enough of these times. I do recommend "Just wanted to be there: Australian service nurses 1899-1999" as a much shorter but very interesting book.

[Leigh Deeks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book although I had already seen the mini series on tv. Parts of it were very sad especially those that drowned while waiting 12 hours to be rescued after the ship was torpedoed. I think it was very realistic and brought home to us living in the 21st century the things that they went without during the time of this war.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Based on letters and journals of women who served as nurses in WW1, and source for the recent TV series of the same name. I was surprised to learn that much of the action and romance of the TV version was true to life!

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This incredible journey and experiences were so interesting - but the story is told in a very academic way which made it a hard slog. The TV series felt like it gave more of a sense of the actual characters of these women.

[Penne Moschetti · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an eye opener for anyone to read. There are no living survivors of that nightmare so we can only read with awe and admiration of the stoicism, heroism and basic decency of these women working living and dying in such horrendous times.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the miniseries and the book supports the miniseries by providing more background and depth.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

These women really were the unsung heroes of World War I. The things they endured and wrote about were hard to read at times but I am so glad I did.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Because of this book and the mini series based on this book I now appreciate what these amazing heroic woman did. Without doubt one of the best books ever read.

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very impactful, and revealing read about Australian history, and our part in the World Wars.

[Jim Gallen · Rating 5 out of 5]

“ANZAC Girls” is a personal account of the World War I service of nurses from Australia and New Zealand. Drawn from the nurses’ diaries and accounts, author Peter Rees has crafted a narrative that relates their stories in an attention holding style. The photographs bring the written words into a visual context.
At the outset of the war the English-speaking world had adopted the nursing reforms promoted by Florence Nightingale more so than other countries, thereby enhancing the value of the ANZACs’ services. As one might expect, the nurses ranks, pay and status were generally lower than those of the men of the armies.
ANZAC forces fought at Gallipoli and the Western front. This volume presents summaries of the battles including Vimy Ridge, Passchendaele and Cambrai whose wounded the nurses treated and provides insights into the lives of the nurses themselves.
The ANZAC girls’ first station was Egypt during the build-up for Gallipoli, the unsuccessful 1915 campaign to seize the Bosporus. In the company of officers, the Girls went “sphinxing” on camels and picnics in the desert or enjoyed the opportunity of a lifetime to shop in a Cairo bazaar.
After the withdrawal from Gallipoli, the scene moved to the Western Front where the soldiers took their places in the lines and the nurses in there’s the field hospitals. Not limiting themselves to their own nationals, the nurses treated ANZACs, British, Canadians, French and even German POWs during the remainder of the war.
The nurses’ lives were not sheltered. They came under fire, drown in torpedo attacks, treated horrific wounds and suffered the mental traumas of the men for whom they cared. Whether they followed their boyfriends to the War or found romance behind the front, the lucky ones returned with their lovers while the star-crossed left their hearts in the desert or the mud. Some succumbed to “shell shock” or in modern terms, post-traumatic stress disorder.
When peace came most of the nurses retraced their route to the Antipodes. They remembered by the monuments to the troops and clapped for the ANZAC Day parades and were commemorated in song:

There’s a Rose that grows in No Man’s Land,
And it’s wonderful to see.
Tho’ it’s sprayed with tears,
It will live for years
In the garden of memory
It’s the one red rose
The solider knows,
It’s the work of the Master’s Hand;
In the War’s great curse stands the Red Cross Nurse,
She’s the Rose of No Man’s Land.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A non fiction book I will never ever forget!!

I was duly impressed by the stories of all the Australian and New-Zealander nurses who were detailed in Egypt and on the Western front during the first World War. They had to fight against prejudices because they were women (yes!), but not by the soldiers! The ones on top of the countries had problems with it, and not only the during the war but also in its aftermath!
Through numerous letters sent home and men at the front, the narrator shows how important their work was. As nurses of course, but also as human beings who brought so much comfort to the injured men, sometimes mothering them, always with unbelievable courage and will! Many pictures of those nurses whom we get to know through their letters as well make their lifes very real indeed. The tension builds up through the book as the nurses get closer and closer to the enemy. I learned a lot about WWI too, as the nurses were right on the front....... My respect for these nurses naturally does not stop at their nationality! They all proved very impressive in front of the horrors of the wars!

[Sharryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book.
What an amazing, honest but heartbreaking insight into WW1. The conditions the Australian, New Zealand, British and other sisters/nurses and medical staff had to endure while caring for the wounded and sick was nothing short of abhorrent.
In hospitals on ships, clearing stations and makeshift operating theatres in tents, for years on end and while sometimes that close to the front line the ground shook beneath them.
I found this book a wealth of information not only for the sisters but also the soldiers.
Battle fields, trenches, towns, men and women were all brought to life. Although a non fiction book the manner of which the author relates to his readers gives it an almost fiction style feel.
I found this to be one of the most descriptive books of conditions relating to WW1 I’ve read.
Easy to read, yet very informative.
A great tribute to the wonderful women who served our country and nursed our soldiers. Brave, staunch and loyal.
For those interested in Australian history and the ANZACs I highly recommend you read this book.

[Joy Norman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book . I didn't realise the type of conditions that the nurses had to live with and were not even treated equal to the men in the army. Shame on men that they could and often still give very little support encouragement and tremendous value theses women were. They often worked longer hours in similar conditions and saw the ravages of ar just as keenly as the other troops. I am surprised that not more women in the nursing profession didn't have more breakdowns and all the illness emotional physical spiritual and mental issues that occurred. It is amazing what people can do when forced to and so willingly. I'm sure that not all nurses were grea however that would the same today it's easy to see why so many people in the war married an had romances as I'm sure it was a way of being normal for a little while. Great book and would recommend any body read it and you can't fail to be amazed Great

[Lee McKerracher · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent moving account of the experiences of Australian nurses in World War I. We so often hear of the battles in the trenches, which were horrific, but the view of the nurse is a voice not often heard.

Nurses had to deal with shortages of supplies and equipment, shocking injuries to the soldiers, if they were at Casualty Clearing Stations they could at times be under fire.

From the Australian General Hospitals and Stationary Hospitals in Cairo and on Lemnos, to the hospital ships at Gallipoli, these nurses performed above and beyond to provide the best care they possibly could for their patients.

It was not all horror though and many made the most of their posting to get out and about viewing the pyramids, the Sphinx and enjoying the nearby beaches. A tiny bit of a respite from the brutality of war.