VAD nurses
were encouraged by their Commander in Chief to 'set an example of discipline
and perfect steadiness of character, but also to maintain the most courteous
relations with those whom you are helping in this great struggle'.
The vast majority
of women and girls who volunteered as VADs and FANYs had no nursing experience
or experience of war. Many would never have spent time away from their homes
and yet they provided care and compassion to the many thousands of men who
were wounded in battle.They played a crucial role in the treatment of war
injuries, offered compassion to men who were alone and in many cases dying
and played a major role in the war effort.