Findmypast.co.uk reveals new records of wartime nurses from 1856-1945

Findmypast.co.uk has announced that images of military nurses during the Great War & WW II and their never before released records from 1856-1945 are now available online for the first time ever.

The British military nurses records, never before released, are now available at findmypast.co.uk, a leading family history site. The set contains references to those who served at some point between c.1856 and 1945, covering both World Wars.

The set of military records contains references to just over 4,000 military nurses who served at some point between approximately 1856 and 1945.  The collection includes records of WWII military nurses, which uncovers details of 1,244 nurses who served in France with either Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service, or Queen Alexandra’s Reserve, or the Territorial Army Nursing Service, during WWII. Details recorded include title, rank, any promotions, date of embarkation to France, unit at which served and sundry notes. The information is taken from The National Archives’ record series WO177, pieces 14, 1157 and 1199.

Also included are records form the army nursing service, a small but interesting set of 238 nurses of often quite genteel origin, born in the 19th century (between 1823 and 1875), mostly extracted from The National Archives’ record series WO25 piece 3955. These records also contain supplementary information from additional sources, such as army lists and the London Gazette.

Entries usually give date of birth and a combination of one or more of: father’s occupation, training hospital, date of appointment to the Army Nursing Service (between 1869 and 1891), and notes on retirement or resignation from the service.

Debra Chatfield, family historian at findmypast.co.uk commented: "Remembrance Day is a time we honour the brave heroes who fought, served and died for our country. For many, the military nurses who attended the sick and injured soldiers during wartime Britain will certainly be considered heroes as well.

"These wonderful images commemorate their efforts and commitment, and recognise their crucial role within the military. As without their enormous bravery and skill many soldiers’ fates could have been quite different.  

“If you have a relative who served as a military nurse, our new online records will help you complete the picture of their life and career, with details such as their title, position, station, dates of service and training.”

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About findmypast.co.uk:
Leading UK family history website findmypast.co.uk (formerly 1837online.com) was the first company to make the complete birth, marriage and death indexes for England & Wales available online in April 2003.
 
Following the transcription, scanning and indexing of over two million images, the company launched the first website to allow the public easy and fast access to the complete indexes, which until then had only been available on microfiche film in specialist archives and libraries. The launch was instrumental in creating the widespread and growing interest in genealogy seen in the UK today.
 
Findmypast.co.uk has subsequently digitised many more family history records and now offers access to over 750 million records dating as far back as 1200. This allows family historians and novice genealogists to search for their ancestors among comprehensive collections of military records (including WWII Prisoners of War records), census, migration, occupation directories, and current electoral roll data, as well as the original comprehensive birth, marriage and death records.
 
In November 2006 findmypast.co.uk launched the ancestorsonboard.com microsite in association with The National Archives to publish outbound passenger lists for long-distance voyages departing all British ports between 1890 and 1960.

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