Bandaging the Blitz

by Phyll Macdonald-Ross, I.D. Roberts

In 1938, 18-year-old Phyllis Ellsworth packs her bags, says goodbye to her anxious parents and sets off from her quiet seaside home for the Hackney Hospital in London's bustling East End, where she is to fulfill her dream to train as a nurse. At first, it is a whirlwind of long days, hard work, new friends and plenty of mischief, but just 10 months later Britain declares war on Germany and life at the hospital is transformed. Phyll's days become an endless cycle of air-raid sirens, injured servicemen, and anxiously waiting for news of loved ones. And when she falls in love with a handsome young soldier, Alistair, Phyll's work provides the only distraction from worrying about his safety. Bandaging the Blitz is a true story of coming-of-age in terrible times, of the blossoming of first romance into a life-long love affair, and of a young woman whose eagerness to do good in the world brought her suddenly face-to-face with death and drama in all its many guises.

Genres: Nursing, Historical Fiction

325 pages, Paperback

First published August 27, 2015

Reviews

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read. It gives you an idea about the way people coped in the Blitz. Although I was expecting more from this side of it. I would also have liked an epilogue with information about Eddie and Mac and what happened to them. I'm sure they stayed in touch and it would have been nice to know their outcome.

[Alison Boniface · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was utterly wonderful from start to finish
I laughed, I cried and I almost felt at times like I was there with them.
Such a beautiful story so well written
An absolute must for any fan of war time books especially anyone with an interest in nursing
This book totally reminded me of every reason I chose to be a nurse too

[Maryann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book, although it was more about life as a student nurse than about the blitz. I also thought there could have been more examples the types of cases she treated. However, it gave one a glimpse into another time and another life and I always enjoy that.

[Lucy Anne Holland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a stunning read! It was another book I found at the local book fair and what a fantastic discovery. It was a shot in the dark - I had never heard of this book before. However, it was not a disappointment!
As a book co-written by someone who actually lived through these things, it had a beautiful authentic atmosphere. It was like each time I picked up this book, I stepped through a portal into the 1940s. Many historical novels miss this touch of authenticity so this was a treat.
The characters were quite charming. I loved watching Phyll grow from a girl into a woman and nurse. Oh, and of course Mac and Eddie! Their antics often left me with a smile on my face. Alistair was charming and sweet and Phyll and Alistair’s romance warmed my heart. But what a rollercoaster! At times it was like everything was against them, yet despite this, they didn’t become bitter or angry with each other; on the contrary, it brought them closer together.
Again, the writing style had a personal and authentic feel to it. Although, at times the present tense threw me off.
This was also a relatively clean read. There are a few questionable words, but there was no sex.
Altogether, I definitely recommend this book. Give it a read. You will be blown away! I wish there was a second novel so that I could continue following Phyll through her journey as a nurse.

[Vanessa Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read.

Being a former frontline nurse in Afghanistan and currently a trauma nurse, I could really relate to Phyll's story. I found it so captivating and interesting. It's definitely hard work to train but so very rewarding at the same time. What a lovely group of friends she had. It's definitely worth a read. It was wonderful to be able to read from her perspective, her experiences and emotions during her time during ww2. As an era, it absolutely fascinates me. She sounds like such a wonderful and brave lady.

[Mae Leveson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story of the life of a student nurse in wartime London. I agree with previous reviewers that it is more about nursing than the Blitz but, as someone who went through nurse training myself, I could relate to many of the incidents described. I felt admiration for this young woman who coped with the trials and tribulations of life as a nursing student, as well as the drama of daily life during some of the darkest days in British history.

[Tiffany Johnstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing story. Phyll is an amazing strong willed woman. Very dedicated and Stuck to her guns about becoming a nurse. And just got on with the job, very rarely moaning about it. It was a shock to her system to start with, but once she got into the rhythm of things, Phyll did incredible, in the midst of such horrors as the Blitz. It is a very riveting biography, The story really comes to life, it is such a well written biography.

[Tkjtwmr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Always love historical fiction. Gives one insight into the life and times of the characters. In this case, this a memoir written by the main character, edited by her grandson. She wanted others interested in nursing to see how great a profession it was. Not sure if that was what I took away from it but I did enjoy reading about her time in London during the Blitz.

[Roy Burrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would like a follow up! How did Scotland go? What happened to Mac and Eddie? Extremely well put together

We have four nurses in our family will recommend this to them.
Brought home the conditions I remember I'm sure young people cannot put themselves in these situations
and hopefully should not

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice read but not outstanding. It is more of a love story than a memoir of working as a nurse in the blitz. I enjoyed it but thought it would have more history of the blitz. I liked the descriptions of the rationing etc as I remember that. I enjoyed reliving the memories of Britain in those times.

[B P MALEY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marvellous throughout.

So real you could be there experiencing the whole story, the lyons corner house brings back happy memories of college days ,with the break between daytime and evening classes.

[Lindsey Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Brilliant read from start to finish. A must for any fan of The nightingale series of books as this is similar. As all true stories this one contains happy and sad parts, along with some amusing ones too. Would recommend to any avid reader of this genre of books

[Amiee Steel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book you cannot put down! If you are a one for a warming heartfelt war time book this is definitely one of them! However I would have loved to know a bit of her time up in Scotland when she got there!

[Susan Brennan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

A story from someone who actually was a nurse at the hospitals in the book a really good book to read

[sally sayers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

Really enjoyed this book, couldn't turn the pages quick enough. Really needed something like this at these mad times brilliant

[Angela Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic read

What a wonderful book. Touched everything and at times emotional. Thanks to her family for making the telling of this life story possible. Wish there was more.

[Anneke Guns · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great read!

[Sarah Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a slow start for me. I wasn't sure if I wanted to finish it but I continued on. Finished in about 2 weeks.

[Kristi Beirne · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good book. I can see how it really appealed to my sister who is a retired nurse!

[A R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely story of the strife of a student nurse and the chaos that carried on around them.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. The only thing that bothered me was the seemingly random switching between the present and past tense.

[Tracey Terrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolutely brilliant book. Brings to,life the nurses who helped throughout the war and what they went through. From the training to their final exams. Friendships that stayed strong. We could all learn a thing or 2 from reading this

[Hilary Tesh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although an interesting read, the title is a bit of a misnomer - the Blitz only starts half way through the book and there is very little about the author's actual nursing experiences or much about the patients she dealt with. Having recently re-read "No Time For Romance" by Lucilla Andrews, I was surprised there was not more about the air raid precautions in the hospital and how nurses coped with working after nights disturbed by the bombing, etc. Instead, the memoir is more about the process of training as a nurse before and during the Second World War, hospital life, both professional and social, and Phyll's personal life, as she falls in love with her beloved Alistair. This is not to detract from the book's value as a record of wartime life - it shows vividly how people just made the best of things and "carried on regardless" with life.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won a copy of this book via Goodreads First Reads.

This true story of the life of a student nurse takes the reader also through WWII in London mostly as she trains.

It was a fascinating read and showed Phyllis (Ellsworth as was) was a strong character and a talented nurse. The fate of her love, later husband in the war is quite nail biting stuff.

We would love to read a sequel to see what happens next to Phyllis and Alistair.

[Joanna Warrens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and cherished every page. This memoir reads like a novel and describes her nursing career during the blitz along with her friends and future husband. One of the best ww2 books I have read. I hope there is a sequel!

[LoLo · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really sweet story with excellent narration. Phyl and her friends are really likeable and the story was fun. I really enjoyed the first hand experience of life during the Blitz but I would have liked a little more detail about the actual nursing of patients etc as well.

[Sam Floyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book, gives you a real feel for life in London at such a perilous, terrible time. I read the book in a day, it is such a page turner! A very enjoyable read, I highly recommend it.

[Mr A. Rapado · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brill

Who'd be a nurse? Always have wanted to be one and now more than ever. Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Bravo!

[Michelle Kirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put this down. Absolutely brilliant

[Bloss ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a wonderful read. The women were so likeable and genuine - I'd loved to have known what happened to everyone later on in life.