Great War (1914-1918): The Society and Culture of the First World War discussion

(Hope I'm putting this in the right folder.)

I'm working on a reproduction WWI nurse's uniform, and there's some gaps in the uniform guidelines I've been able to find on the web. Does anyone know of good sources on everyday life of a WWI nurse? Ideally an American nurse, but I can extrapolate from any of the Western Front allies.

Nonfiction would be preferred (I've got to cite this in my documentation), but well-researched historical fiction would also work.

Thanks!

I have two books but they are British - Elsie and Mairi Go to War: Two Extraordinary Women on the Western Front by Diane Atkinson and Fanny Goes to War by Pat Beauchamp. There is also Wounded: From Battlefield to Blighty, 1914-1918 by Emily Mayhew - not sure about pictures, I have it on my kindle. I think Elsie and Mairie designed their own uniforms so that they could ride motorcycles if necessary.

Leah wrote: "I'm working on a reproduction WWI nurse's uniform, and there's some gaps in the uniform guidelines I've been able to find on the web. Does anyone know..."

Leah, it appears that Osprey Publishing "The US Army of World War I" may have some information and photos as noticed by the link below. I have their brief paperback on WWI Marines and it is quite informative.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/94318503...

by Mark R. Henry

These two books may have something for you:

The Other Anzacs: Nurses at War 1914-1918; Australian, but WorldCat says it has 48 plates, which I assume are photos.

Testament of Youth; undoubtedly mostly British and the cover will give you something; I don't know if other editions have photos - WorldCat doesn't indicate in this edition.

I have not read either of these.

Thanks everyone, I'll check those books out!

Another one you might want to look at is Lyn MacDonald's

The Roses of No Man's Land

I'd also support Elizabeth's recommendation of The Other ANZACS. I have read it and its an excellent story of nurses in the Great War. I have checked my copy and it has numerous B&W photographs of the nurses (and their uniforms) at war and off duty.

by Peter Rees

Do you want an American Nurse uniform circa WW1 or what an American nurse would wear during WW1?
American women volunteered on both sides of the conflict from the outset. Many set up hospitals in France, others helped set up Belgian hospitals. They wore the hospital uniforms of the country that allowed them to help (since the US was neutral, technically Americans weren't allowed to take sides).
If you want to read accounts of American nurses with some photos try The Forbidden Zone by Mary Borden and the Backwash of War by Ellen N La Motte. Edith Wharton wrote as a witness about Fighting France.
If you want photos try the YA book Those Extraordinary Women of World War 1 or try the US Red Cross, US Naval and US Army websites.
Lastly look up American Ambulance Corps as there are some memoirs being published that have photos (before the US entered the War) but they are primarily in France, such as Ambulance to the Front, Gentlemen Volunteers, and Ambulance No 10. NOTE: In American ambulance refers to the vehicle, to the French, English and Belgiums this refers usually to a hospital or CCS.
Wounded by Emily Mayhew is an excellent book, but doesn't contain a lot of photos. It does have many references although it is primarily about the BEF.

Wow. What a great post. Thanks--even though I didn't put in the initial request.

Jan C wrote: "I have two books but they are British - Elsie and Mairi Go to War: Two Extraordinary Women on the Western Front by Diane Atkinson and Fanny Goes to War..."
What did you think of Elsie and Mairi Go To War? I read it a year or so ago and think the story of these two women would make a great novel.

M.K. wrote: "Jan C wrote: "I have two books but they are British - Elsie and Mairi Go to War: Two Extraordinary Women on the Western Front by Diane Atkinson and [book:Fanny Goes t..."

I'm still reading it. It might make a good novel. However, I always prefer non-fiction to a fictionalized version. Give me the unvarnished truth rather than someone's imagining of it. Once I have had the truth I will occasionally look at a fiction of it but it usually just serves to drive me back to non-fiction.