In 1854 the decision was taken to create an all-male nursing service ashore, similar to what there was afloat.

[4] In 1883, a committee determined that improvements were needed in medical and nursing care in the Royal Navy.

[6] She invited Eva Luckes, Matron of The London Hospital to help her establish the new service, and supplied staff for it.

[9][8] Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service Reserve was established on 13 October 1910.

[10] In 1914, with the outbreak of the First World War, QARNNS was significantly expanded, with many volunteers from the British Red Cross and civilian hospitals.

[6] The first man to join was Senior Nursing Officer Rajendrasen Purusrum, who was commissioned on 1 March 1983.

In 1995 the QARNNS adopted Royal Navy ranks, although the head of the Nursing Service was no longer a one-star equivalent, the senior Captain of the QARNNS was appointed Director Naval Nursing Service (DNNS) and styled with the historic post of Matron-in-Chief.