Original British WWI Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service Uniform Grouping Circa 1915 Original Items

Original Items: Only One Grouping Available. This is a wonderful, rare uniform grouping that was once worn by a Nurse in Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service, the Nursing Branch of the British Army Medical Services. Although an “official” nursing service was not established until 1881, the corps traces its heritage to Florence Nightingale, who was instrumental in lobbying for the support of female military nurses. The Army Nursing Service, which had been established in 1881, and which from 1889 provided Sisters for all Army hospitals with at least 100 beds, had only a small number of nurses in its employ. In 1897, in an effort to have nurses available if needed for war, the service was supplemented by Princess Christian’s Army Nursing Service Reserve. Nurses registered for the service and by the beginning of the First Boer War the reserve had around 100 members, but swelled its membership to over 1400 during the conflict. PCANSR eventually became the Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service. On 27 March 1902, Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service (QAIMNS) was established by Royal Warrant, and was named after Queen Alexandra, who became its president.

The regulation uniform of Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service had been virtually unchanged since 1881 and their gray dresses were of a similar style to those worn in many civil hospitals, the red shoulder cape or ‘tippet’ was a unique feature that clearly identified them as part of the British Army. In 1904 it was decided that the solid red cape should be confined to the permanent staff of QAIMNS with members of the Army Nursing Service Reserve wearing a similar style in gray serge with a scarlet border, a pattern that then continued through more than five decades. When the Territorial Force Nursing Service was formed in 1908 their uniform followed the same style with minor changes to the cape which was described as ‘blue-gray’ but with the same scarlet border.

At the beginning of World War One, about 3,000 were in service as nurses. By the end of the War, the number had grown to nearly 23,000 including the territorial Force Nursing Service. These nurses rendered invaluable service to Great Britain both near the front lines and at the hospitals at home.

The uniform set here dates from 1915. The color was selected because of the difficulty in keeping white uniforms white during field conditions. The white sleeve covers are detachable and easily cleaned or replaced, an improvement over having to constantly clean your sleeves from blood as a nurse. The whole set is in fantastic condition and even includes a pair of wonderful black leather boots. All items are British in origin though the beige Red Cross bag does appear to be American.

A wonderful and rare grouping that comes more than ready for further research and display.

Approximate Measurements:
Collar to shoulder: 7.5″
Shoulder to sleeve: 20.5”
Shoulder to shoulder: 13”
Chest width: 16″
Waist width: 17.5″
Hip width: 27.5″
Front length: 43.5″