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Nurses: On the Go

What do we see when we look closely?

Examine this image of district nurses. District nursing services begin in Liverpool, England in 1858; by the 1880s, services extend to rural communities. Later, nurses use motorbikes to reach remote areas.
Roll over different areas of the postcard to discover answers to the questions below.

    • Q1Can you identify a Queen's nurse?
    • A1Queen Victoria establishes the Jubilee Institute for Nurses in 1887, centralizing training for district nurses (Queen's Nurses) and supporting community-based nurses' homes around the United Kingdom.
    • Q2Can you identify the means of transport?
    • A2Motorbikes with side-cars become a popular means of transportation for rural Queen's nurses and were used to reach remote areas.
    • Q3Why do you think these nurses are wearing their hospital uniforms?
    • A3During World War I, Queen's Nurses staffed territorial hospitals at home and abroad. The Royal Enfield Cycle Company supplied the British government forces with motorcycles.
Two White female nurses in a motorcycle with sidecar. Both wear white uniforms under their cloaks.
1 2 3

In the United Kingdom, district nurses sometimes use motorbikes to reach people in remote areas, early 20th century

    • Q1Can you identify a Queen's nurse?
    • A1Queen Victoria establishes the Jubilee Institute for Nurses in 1887, centralizing training for district nurses (Queen's Nurses) and supporting community-based nurses' homes around the United Kingdom.
    • Q2Can you identify the means of transport?
    • A2Motorbikes with side-cars become a popular means of transportation for rural Queen's nurses and were used to reach remote areas.
    • Q3Why do you think these nurses are wearing their hospital uniforms?
    • A3During World War I, Queen's Nurses staffed territorial hospitals at home and abroad. The Royal Enfield Cycle Company supplied the British government forces with motorcycles.
  • 1Can you identify a Queen's nurse?
  • 2Can you identify the means of transport?
  • 3Why do you think these nurses are wearing their hospital uniforms?