Sisters in Arms by Nicola Tyrer is a fascinating account of the Queen Alexandra Imperial Military Nursing Service (QAs), as told within the context of World War II. The QAs were founded in 1902, but this is largely a story of their service in the second world conflict. It’s an account in their own words: first-hand descriptions of life for these nurses on the frontline, on troop ships, in makeshift ‘hospitals’, casualty clearing stations and the dessert and the jungle. The individual accounts are overdue, and it’s great that Tyrer has been able to help tell their story and give voice to an almost forgotten part of the war. While I gained much from this perspective, I think that the heavy emphasis on the firsthand accounts is one of the book’s strengths, but also one of its weaknesses.

It is impossible not to be moved by some of the most harrowing and painful accounts of the nurses concerned, particularly those women who were taken prisoner by the Japanese after being stationed in Hong Kong, Singapore and Burma. The stoical and matter-of-fact way in which these brave women served their country and then recounted their dreadful ordeals is quite remarkable. I was also struck by how the abuse and disservice is perpetuated after the conflicts are over; the failure by any of the Allied powers to even acknowledge the death of nearly 2000 troops in Italy in 1943 after an explosion of mustard gas from a US relief ship is a case in point. At the time, nobody knew that mustard gas was even part of the theatre of war, consequently the nursing and medical staff didn’t know how to treat the horrific injuries; the War Office in London didn’t even respond to requests for advice. In fact, they have never responded, as it was only once the official records were declassified 50 years later that the true story emerged. As ever, the military imperative took precedence.

The book is largely structured chronologically and geographically. On the downside, there’s relatively little analysis or attempt to interrogate the information provided by these informants, and I was frustrated by the limited analysis of the professional and nursing processes that were used. Well known examples are repeated (such as the early use of penicillin and the delegation of previously medical-only tasks) but I didn't get a comprehensive sense of the professional nursing activities, techniques and practices that were used. The exceptions to this are, of course, nursing’s continued obsession with female uniforms (even more stark in the military, than in civilian settings) and rank and hierarchy.

These criticisms aside, this is still a remarkable book and is an enjoyable, if a sad and sometimes grim, read.

© Koplowitz 2013 ( )

Interestingly blended to both history and fiction alike. Due to the fact that some "sources" presented are untraceable in nature. It was nice to see the letters, written by Women themselves, it gives the book a better, more in depth angle... But all in all some where in the middle it becomes all too grouse (as it should be with the theme like this) and it is hard to read to the very end. ( )

The africans are exuberant, the australians free-wheeling, americans brash, japanese cruel and the english, wait for it, dogged.

An exjournalist with daily mail and daily telegraph, Tyrer is not afraid of the sweeping stereotype. Nor is she afraid to kill a noun by applying the most numbingly predictable adjective.

The way she writes in cliches and generalisations infuriates because the story she has deserves better; astonishingly sheltered upper class gels pitched into an ordeal no-one could have anticipated, and how the stiff upper lip patriotism of that era sustained them through it.

The passages where the nurses own words are quoted, from interviews and autobiographies, are where the book is best. ( )