Bluebirds (Australian nurses)

The "Bluebirds" were a group of twenty Australian civilian nurses and a masseuse who volunteered for service in France during World War I.

Recruited through the Australian Red Cross Society, the group's nickname referred to the colours of their specially-designed uniforms.

Following the outbreak of World War I the Australian Red Cross Society contacted the French Government offering to provide a team of nurses.

[1] The Red Cross Society subsequently placed an advertisement in the Australian press seeking medically qualified nurses who were able to speak French.

[1] The department store chain David Jones donated the nurses' distinctive uniforms, which were made from dark blue material.