Not for Glory: A Century of Service by Medical Women to the Australian Army and its Allies

by Susan J. Neuhaus, Sharon Mascall-Dare

From the trenches of the Western Front to the ricefields and jungles of South-east Asia, Australian women have served as doctors and medical specialists from World War I until the present day.

Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Susan Neuhaus is a surgeon. She has completed a 20 year military career in both the Australian Regular Army and the Army Reserve as a clinician and a commander, serving in Cambodia, Bouganville and Afghanistan. In 2009 she was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross. She is an adjunct Associate Professor of Conflict Medicine, University of Adelaide.

Reviews

[Claire Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book Not for Glory reminds us that women have played vital and extraordinary roles in service of their country during times of war and conflict, and of trauma in peacetime as well. Their service as medical staff, doctors, nurses and as allied medical professionals should inspire us all. For more than a century, women have made their way into situations requiring courage, tenacity and determination, often without support or acknowledgement. In clear, forthright accounts, based on diaries, letters, oral interviews, Susan Neuhaus and Sharon Mascall-Dare offer a telling and moving record of remarkable service. I hope that young people might hear of these women and their stories and be inspired to contribute to their community and country without thought of self but rather of service to others.
In an equally moving and remarkable telling, the play Hallowed Ground, by Carolyn Book and Helen Hopkins, using four women characters based on the stories in Not for Glory, challenges the audience to attend to the courage medical women have shown in many theatres of war over the past century. They leave you in tears at times, while always compelling you to acknowledge what they achieved. If you get a chance to see this, do so.

[Suzesmum · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an Army veteran, and a woman, I cannot imagine a life without the care of women doctors and allied health professionals. I am privileged to know Susan Neuhaus, and many of the women whose stories are told in this book. I was completely captivated by the stories and struggles of those pioneering women doctors who served in allied an Australian armies, way back to 1865, through both world wars, Vietnam, Afghanist and many UN Peacekeeping missions. Beautifully written and impeccably researched, I am so grateful that the history of women in the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps has been recorded for perpetuity. Well done!