2008.20.10
British No. 13 Gen [General Hospital, Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service sisters, British soldiers and patients.] Campagne 1914-1915 Boulogne-sur-Mer – Interieur d’un Hopital Anglais.
The Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service (QAIMNS) was founded in 1902, with Queen Alexandra as president and patron. Prior to this time, Britain did not have a recognized military nursing service and the creation of the QAIMNS was in response to the many men who died during the Boer War due to inadequate nursing care. Members of the QAIMNS were trained nurses employed by the British Army; however, unlike the Canadian nursing sisters, they did not have an official rank or status.

2010.4.21
[Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve badge belonging to Ruby Dickie.]
In 1914, at the start of the war, membership of the QAIMNS was under 300 members – the nursing service was not equipped to deal with the large numbers of wounded that required care and rehabilitation.  However, there was a “reserve” of 800 nurses who were immediately drafted for active service. Many were sent directly to field hospitals in France to support the British Expeditionary Force. Members also served in England, Egypt, Salonika, India, East Africa, Italy, Mesopotamia and Russia.

From 1914-1919 at least 21 known Winnipeg General Hospital and Children’s Hospital School of Nursing graduates served during World I with the QAIMNS.  Although there was no direct relationship between the CAMC and QAIMNS, many of the nursing sisters went on to enlist in the CAMC after their service with the QAIMNS.

Winnipeg General Hospital and Children’s Hospital School of Nursing Graduates that Served with the QAIMNS

Photo of Rosalind Long taken in 1916 while in England with the Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve, Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley, Hants. Credit: Provincial Archives of Manitoba N5626. Credit: Provincial Archives of Manitoba (N5626)
Irene Sharpe [Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service]
Ruby Dickie, July 1919.
  • Edith Macey (1908)
  • Evelyn Hall (1912)
  • Jean MacDonald (1912)
  • Janet McClung (1912)
  • Margaret Rinn (1912)
  • Jean Cowie (1912)
  • Rosalind Long (1913)
  • Emily Parker (1913)
  • Mary Scott (1913)
  • Evelyn Aston (1914)
  • Ethel Carter (1914)
  • Bertha Thorsteinson (1914)
  • Ethel Bayliss (1915)
  • Hilda Beeston (1915)
  • Ethel Stewart (1915)
  • Irene Sharpe (1915)
  • Ruby Dickie (1916)
  • Ainslie St. Clair Dagg (1916)
  • Mary Houston (1916)
  • Margaret Taylor (1916)
  • Alice Torr (1916)