Women In War

June 28 1916

Dear Ada,

I never thought I’d see women involved in war. And although most aren’t directly in the fighting, they are an integral part of the war. Especially as nurses, women play a vital role, as I am sure many soldiers would not have made it without them. They serve as part of the Canadian Army Medical Corps and we call them bluebirds, because of their white veils and blue uniforms. Not only are they nurses, but ambulance drivers, and mighty dandy ones at that. 

I’d estimate they’re all between the ages of twenty-one and thirty-eight, and all single too. From the wee bit of time I spent in the hospital, the bluebird who took care of me told me stories about her own brothers fighting in the war.

A chum of mine has been in the hospital for quite some time now, after getting his arm blown apart during combat a while ago. He is now recovering and was sent off to Blighty yesterday on a Red Cross train, with the help of a couple of bluebirds. 

Well, I think this is all for now. Will write again soon.

Love from your brother,

Grant

 

“Nurses.” Canadian War Museum. Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation, n.d. Web. 28 Nov. 2010. <http://www.warmuseum.ca/‌cwm/‌exhibitions/‌guerre/‌nurses-e.aspx#2.C>.

Off to Blighty. N.d. George Metcalf Archival Collection . Canadian War Museum. Web. 28 Nov. 2010. <http://www.warmuseum.ca/‌cwm/‌exhibitions/‌guerre/‌photo-e.aspx?PageId=2.E.1.b&photo=3.E.3.co&f=%2fcwm%2fexhibitions%2fguerre%2fnurses-e.aspx&p=1>.