Scottish Women's Hospitals Collection and Dr. Elsie Inglis
At the outbreak of the First World War, The Scottish Federation of the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies, at the suggestion of Dr Elsie Inglis, put forward the idea of female medical units to serve on the front line.
Dr Inglis had studied medicine at the (then) revolutionary Edinburgh School of Medicine for Women and qualified as a doctor in 1892.
The War Office completely rejected the idea of these female units, but through private fundraising The Scottish Women’s Hospitals for Foreign Service was set up. This organisation eventually financed a number of units which were staffed entirely by women.
The organisation's headquarters were in Edinburgh, with committees also in Glasgow and London. The first unit was established at Royaumont Abbey (France) in December 1914. In April 1915, Dr Inglis herself was at the head of a unit based in Serbia. By the end of the war there were 14 Scottish Women's Hospitals in France, Serbia, Russia, Salonica and Macedonia.
Dr. Inglis was diagnosed with cancer by 1917 while working in Russia. She and her unit were part of the retreat of forces to Archangel and she was evacuated to Newcastle on the 25th November of that year, only to die the following day.
By the end of the war, The Scottish Women's Hospitals' had sent over 1000 women doctors, nurses, radiologists, orderlies and drivers to work in war zones in 6 different countries.
This unique record of women's service during the First World War was donated by Mrs. Lawrie of Helensburgh who for many years was the Treasurer of the organisation. The bulk of the material consists of cash books, circulated letters, financial statements, subscriptions, expenses and accounts. Of particular interest is a collection of lantern slides.
The Scottish Women's Hospitals for Foreign Service, 1914-1922
A View from Greenock
A talk about the unique archive at The Mitchell Library of the Scottish Women's Hospitals organisation.
Tuesday 11 November 2008
6pm
Level 2
The Mitchell
Admission Free
Place limited; please book in person at Granville Street desk at The Mitchell or phone 0141 287 2999