Canadian Women in Uniform

Prior to the First World War, few women experienced military service. Twelve women, including trained nurses and Anglican nuns, assisted government forces in nursing capacities during the North-West Resistance in 1885. During the South African War (1899-1902) twelve trained Canadian nurses were attached to the British medical services. This foreshadowed the significant contributions that Canadian women would make to the war effort in both the First and Second World Wars. Between 1914 and 1919, more than 3,200 nurses served with the Canadian Army Medical Corps (CAMC) at home and overseas. More than 1,000 also volunteered to serve in British hospitals as nurses and nursing assistants. During the Second World War, while women once again volunteered as nurses, the role of women in the military underwent a significant expansion. The Canadian Army, the Royal Canadian Air Force, and the Royal Canadian Navy created women’s divisions; as a result, about 50,000 women served in a variety of wartime occupations.