South African War 1880-1881
Production date
1881
Description
Correspondence and notes relating to the South African War and the sending of nurses to the front.
Collection Type
Archives
Level of Current Record
sub-fonds
History
In April 1877, the Transvaal was annexed to the British Crown but on 15 December 1880 the Transvaal Boers met to reject this annexation and proclaimed a republic on the 18 December. The Boers invaded Natal and inflicted a severe defeat on the British leading to an armistice, which granted the Transvaal self-government.
As with the Zulu War, the main assistance given on the front lines was to provide additional luxuries to the wounded. However, during this time the National Society also embarked on some peacetime work and used part of its interest to initiate training a small number of female nurses who could be available for service in a future emergency. The National Society agreed to take on responsibility for salaries, board and uniform with the War Office bearing the rest of the costs. Each nurse would spend two years in a military hospital and afterwards would be at the disposal of the National Society.
As with the Zulu War, the main assistance given on the front lines was to provide additional luxuries to the wounded. However, during this time the National Society also embarked on some peacetime work and used part of its interest to initiate training a small number of female nurses who could be available for service in a future emergency. The National Society agreed to take on responsibility for salaries, board and uniform with the War Office bearing the rest of the costs. Each nurse would spend two years in a military hospital and afterwards would be at the disposal of the National Society.
Catalogue Number
WAN/5