Australian Army Nursing Service
Pledge of Service
I pledge myself loyally to serve my King and Country and to maintain the honour and efficiency of the Australian Army Nursing Service.
I pledge myself loyally to serve my King and Country and to maintain the honour and efficiency of the Australian Army Nursing Service.
I will do all in my power to alleviate the suffering of the sick and wounded, sparing no effort to bring them comfort of body and peace of mind.
I will work in unity and comradeship with my fellow nurses.
I will be ready to give assistance to those in need of my help, and will abstain from any action which may bring sorrow and suffering to others.
At all times I will endeavour to uphold the highest traditions of Womanhood and of the Profession of which I am Part.
On the hospital ships off Gallipoli, Australian nurses came face to face for the first time with the reality of the wounded. It made some of them confront the limitations of their nursing skills and the notion of the glory of war. Working on the hospital ship Sicilia Sister Lydia King confided to her diary:
'I shall never forget the awful feeling of hopelessness on night duty. It was dreadful. I had two wards downstairs, each over 100 patients and then I had small wards upstairs — altogether about 250 patients to look after, and one orderly and one Indian sweeper. Shall not describe their wounds, they were too awful. One loses sight of all the honour and the glory in the work we are doing.'
LEST WE FORGET
.png)
Oh Millie this is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWe have just got home from the dawn service at the Shrine of Remembrance and one of the most moving things is that each year, there are more and more younger faces appearing in the ever~growing silent crowd. My own children wouldn't miss it for anything.
But it is wonderful to also remember the nurses, the things they would have had to have seen while remaining brave for the wounded, they are true heroes too.
Hi Millie,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the beautiful post.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.
Happy Monday
Hugs
Carolyn
Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI cannot imagine myself doing that job - in those times or these. It truly does take a special person who in the face of so many adverse conditions can make suffering seem easier. Lovely post - thank you.
ReplyDeleteAll nurses are angels, then and now. Thanks for a beautiful tribute. My mother was a nurse and she's the most selfless person I know.
ReplyDeleteWhat heroic souls these women were! Have a great week, Millie! xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely tribute, Millie! xo
ReplyDelete