Nurses in the field during South African War

New Zealand nurses were anxious to serve in the war. The first group left for South Africa in early 1900, and by the end of the war, at least 35 had served.

The four women pictured here were from the Christchurch Public Hospital, and were based at No. 4 General Hospital of the Mooi River Camp in Natal. Nurse Emily Peter, seated first from the left, described this hospital as:

...the largest field hospital that has ever been known ... all under canvas... We have to wear gumboots and macintoshes as we go about our work from tent to tent.