New Zealand Army Nursing Service

[1] In 1911 Hester Maclean had been given the title of 'matron-in-chief' of a proposed military nursing reserve, but despite her efforts (and those of Janet Gillies before her) no service existed by the time New Zealand entered the First World War.

Her daughters too, are all for helping.” The New Zealand Defence Minister, James Allen was however reluctant, stating that "until the Mother Country asks us to provide nurses, it would be a presumption to send them.

By August 1915 Waikato Hospital was struggling to cope with the number of applicants it was receiving for nurse training and had a waiting list of over 100.

On 8 April 1915 the 50 nurses led by Hester Maclean departed on the SS Rotorua , from Glasgow Wharf in Wellington.

[5] The nurses were farewelled by a large crowd with the nearby buildings were decorated with bunting, parting gifts were given to them, while a band played popular tunes such as “The Girl I Left Behind Me”.

Ten nurses lost their lives when the troopship Marquette was torpedoed and sank in the Aegean Sea on 23 October 1915.

[9] As the need for a lighter uniform became evident when the women were serving in Egypt this led towards the end of the war to the skirt length becoming shorter.

[9] The official badge of the NZANS consisted of a red cross enclosed within a silver fern, surmounted by a crown.

This photograph dated 1906-1923 depicts Hester Maclean during the period when she was Assistant Inspector of Hospitals for New Zealand. MacLean was also Matron in Chief of the New Zealand Army Nursing Service. In 1917 MacLean was awarded the Royal Red Cross (first class) for her work.
This photographs dated 1906-1923 depicts Hester Maclean during the period when she was Assistant Inspector of Hospitals for New Zealand. Maclean was also Matron in Chief of the New Zealand Army Nursing Service. In 1917 Maclean was awarded the Royal Red Cross (first class) for her work.
"The Homecoming from Gallipoli" by Walter Armiger Bowring. Painted in 1916, it shows the return of the first group of wounded soldiers from Gallipoli in 1915. Note the scarlet capes and grey uniforms of the NZANS nurses, assisting the men.
Group portrait of the first 69 nurses and 11 staff to leave for World War I. Taken on the steps of the General Assembly Library, Wellington, by an unidentified photographer for The Press newspaper of Christchurch.
Group portrait of the first 69 nurses and 11 staff to leave for World War I. Taken on the steps of the General Assembly Library, Wellington, by an unidentified photographer for The Press newspaper of Christchurch.