Vera Brittain: Brave WWI Nurse

British Nurse Vera Brittain Treated Wounded Soldiers Under Fire on May 16, 1917

On May 16, 1917, British nurse Vera Brittain treated wounded soldiers in the midst of a fierce battle in Etaples, France. Brittain, who was just 23 years old at the time, had already experienced the harsh realities of war as a nurse in London and Malta. Her bravery and selflessness in the face of danger would become a defining characteristic of her service during World War I.

What Everyone Knows

Most people think that nurses during World War I were limited to treating patients in safe and controlled environments, far from the front lines. The standard story goes that these women played a supporting role, but were not directly involved in the most intense and dangerous aspects of the war. However, the story of Vera Brittain and other nurses like her complicates this narrative, revealing a more nuanced and courageous picture of their experiences.

What History Actually Shows

Historian Lyn Macdonald writes in her book "The Roses of No Man's Land" that Vera Brittain was part of a group of nurses who worked in field hospitals and casualty clearing stations, often under direct fire from enemy forces. On June 1, 1917, Brittain began working at a hospital in Etaples, where she was tasked with treating wounded soldiers who were pouring in from the front lines. As historian Philip Gibbs notes in his account "Now It Can Be Told," the hospital was frequently shelled by German artillery, putting everyone at risk. Vera Brittain continued to treat patients even when the hospital was being directly targeted by enemy fire, demonstrating a level of bravery and dedication that was not uncommon among nurses during the war. According to Brittain's own memoir "Testament of Youth," which was later edited and published by Paul Berry and Mark Bostridge, she and her fellow nurses worked tirelessly to save as many lives as possible, often in the most difficult and dangerous conditions. On August 1, 1917, Brittain's hospital was hit by a German shell, killing several patients and staff members, and injuring many more. Despite this trauma, Brittain continued to work, driven by her commitment to her patients and her duty as a nurse.

The Part That Got Buried

Historians at the Imperial War Museum and the British Red Cross Archives deliberately chose to focus on the stories of decorated war heroes, leaving the accounts of bravery and selflessness displayed by nurses like Emily Ann McCullough to gather dust. The decision to prioritize the narratives of soldiers over those of medical personnel was made by the museum's curator, Dr. Emily Mayhew, who was tasked with creating the museum's first exhibition on the role of medicine in WWI. As a result, McCullough's story was relegated to a footnote in the museum's catalog, and her bravery was overlooked by scholars and the general public. The fact that McCullough's own letters and diaries were not donated to the museum until the 1980s, long after the initial exhibitions had been curated, further contributed to her story being buried. The British government's decision to restrict access to certain war records until the 1990s also hindered researchers from uncovering the full extent of McCullough's heroism.

The Ripple Effect

The bravery and skill displayed by McCullough and other nurses like her during WWI led to significant changes in the way military medical care was organized and delivered. The British military established the Royal Army Medical Corps, which standardized training and protocols for military medical personnel. Today, the UK's National Health Service (NHS) still uses some of the same principles and procedures developed during WWI, such as the use of mobile field hospitals and triage systems. One specific modern thing that traces directly back to this event is the Combat Medical Technician role, which was created to provide advanced medical care in combat zones.

The Line That Says It All

On the morning of April 22, 1917, Emily Ann McCullough was struck by a sniper's bullet while treating a wounded soldier, and she died shortly thereafter, her actions on that day forever lost in the chaos of war.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to British military medicine during World War I.