National memorial for nurses who gave their lives in conflict

Last November the RCN hosted a special event at its London headquarters to honour nurses who gave their lives in conflicts.
The event marked the presentation to the RCN of two volumes containing the names of nurses who died as a direct result of war.
These Rolls of Honour are the work of Dr Yvonne McEwen, from the Centre for the Study of the Two World Wars, at the University of Edinburgh, who has spent several years collecting the names of more than 2,000 nurses. Dr McEwen is writing the official history for Army Nursing Service.

At the event, which was attended by representatives of the different services, Dr McEwen described some of the conditions under which nurses served and died in previous conflicts. She called for a memorial for these nurses at the National Arboretum in Staffordshire. Her appeal was taken up by Dr Peter Carter, RCN Chief Executive and General Secretary.

The RCN has launched an online petition in support of the memorial. If you would like to add your name visit www.rcn.org.uk/warheroes