Phase 6: Women and WWII Flashcards
What did the QAIMNS do during WWII?
Nurses continued to serve in every area where there were soldiers
After 1941, nurses were given ranks that fitted with the army
Nurses served on the front line and were captured and killed
Between 1939 to 1945, members served everywhere from Burma to China to France to Iceland.
Some became prisoners of war
What did FANY do during WWII?
The FANY became involved with Free Poles (Poles that had escaped from Poland in 1939). They were supply drivers, cooks, clerks and admirastive helpers.
Free FANYs were recruited as wireless operators for the Home Guard
Free FANYs were attached to the British Red Cross, the American Ambluance Corps GB and the Committee for the French Red Cross from 1940-45
Others worked as radio officers, encryption specialists, wireless operators and drivers
What did volunteers do during WWII
The medical service were helped by voluntary organisations. For example, the Red Cross set up first aid posts and mobile first aid units
Women served as ambulance drivers, and first aiders treating civilians who had been bombed.
What did medical students do during WWII
During the 1920s, many medical schools discouraged women from entering training but WWII opened opportunities again
The number of women medical students increased from 2,000 in 1938 to 2,900 in 1946
What did women do on the Home Front?
Fewer men were called up to serve the armed forces in WWII
Women were still more likely to work in hospitals at Home than on the Front Line and many worked within the Emergency Medical Service which coordinated hospitals during the war
They were also sent to smaller hospitals rather than working in large city centre hospitals
What did women do on the front line?
In WWII, some women worked closer to battle lines than every before.
They provided faster care to the wounded
The RAMC saw women serve as doctors for the first time
Dr Constance Ross, is an example of someone that ended the war as a medical officer.
It was still unusual for women to be doctors in the 1940s and Dr Constance Ross’ achievement was even rarer.
