Angels of Mercy

The Scottish Women Who Served on the Front Lines

Yvonne McEwen on Scotland's wartime nurses

About the Ebook

They may have been angels of mercy. But they were also angels with attitude – real women, with real guts.This is the little-known story of the gritty and free-spirited women who, in 1914, put aside their fight for the vote to set up a hospital in an abandoned French abbey to treat the appalling injuries sustained on the Western Front.

Uniquely in that theatre, the hospital was staffed entirely by women – doctors, surgeons, nurses, bateriologists, radiographers, orderlies and ambulance drivers.In the face of opposition from the military and medical establishments, and in the teeth of many hardships, they succeeded in establishing one of the most effective and longest-serving frontline military hospitals of the First World War.

Why You'll Love This Ebook

• Discover the courageous Scottish women who served in two World Wars
• Learn about the often-overlooked contributions of military nurses
• Engage with vital social history that restores forgotten voices
• Read another celebrated title from Birlinn Ltd - Independent Scottish Publisher

Reviews

'A remarkable story of women's achievement – The heroic efforts of those critical days have now finally been given their true record.' The Times Literary Supplement

'Rich as it is in first-hand anecdote, Eileen Crofton's account is as remarkable for its humour as for its horror . . . inspiring.' The Scotsman

'Beautifully written ... informed, accessible and finely crafted.' The Herald

About the Author

Eileen Crofton studied medicine at Somerville College, Oxford. She joined the Royal Medical Corps in 1944 and was posted to County Down where she met her husband. She was appointed county medical officer of the Midlothian branch of the British Red Cross Society in 1963, later being awarded life membership for exceptional service. In 1971 she helped to establish Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) and was awarded an MBE on her retirement from ASH Scotland. She died in 2010.

Publication Details

Publisher: Birlinn Ltd

Publication Date: 04 July 2013

Print Length: 320 pages (Ebook edition)

ISBN (Ebook): 9780857906168

Format: Ebook

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I access my ebook?

Download The Grey Hill App and log in using the same email you used at checkout. Your ebook will appear instantly in your library.

Can I read it online?

Yes — you can also access your purchases via our online reader at reader.thegreyhill.com.

I can't see my ebook — what should I do?

Tap the refresh button in the app or online reader. If it still doesn't appear, ensure you're logged in with the same email used at checkout. If issues continue, contact us and we'll help right away.

Can I gift this ebook?

Yes — you can purchase a Grey Hill Gift Card here: Buy a Gift Card. The recipient can redeem it on our store, and the ebook will appear in The Grey Hill App.