Mairi Chisholm reading in the cellar at Pervyse
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Mairi Chisholm reading in the cellar at Pervyse
Mairi Lambert Gooden-Chisholm of Chisholm, better known as Mairi Chisholm (1895-1981), Scottish nurse and ambulance driver during World War I pictured in silhouette, taking a rare, quiet moment to read in the cellar at Pervyse. Together with Elsie Knocker (known as Baroness de T Serclaes after her second marriage to a Belgian in 1916), also a nurse and ambulance driver the pair were awarded the Military Medal for their bravery and work with the wounded on the Western Front in Belgium. The pair initially joined the Voluntary Emergency Corps but then later set up their own first aid dressing station just 100 yards from the trenches at Pervyse, north of Ypres. Elsie concentrated on providing medical attention while Mairi transported injured soldiers to the base hospital fifteen miles away, often in highly dangerous conditions. Their bravery attracted journalists and photographers and they became some of the most photographed women of the war. Date: 1917
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Media ID 14157595
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
Ambulance Angels Attention Brave Bravery Cellar Chisholm Driver Elsie Heroism Knocker Nurse Nurses Nursing Quiet Read Silhouettes Mairi Pervyse
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative image captures Mairi Chisholm, a Scottish nurse and ambulance driver during World War I, taking a rare moment of respite in the dimly lit cellar at Pervyse. The silhouetted figure of Mairi, with her book in hand, stands in stark contrast to the harsh realities of the war that surrounded her. Mairi, born Mairi Lambert Gooden-Chisholm, served alongside Elsie Knocker, another brave nurse and ambulance driver, in the small Belgian village of Pervyse, located north of Ypres. Initially, the pair joined the Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD), but soon set up their own first aid dressing station just 100 yards from the trenches. Elsie focused on providing medical attention to the wounded, while Mairi bravely transported injured soldiers to the base hospital fifteen miles away, often in perilous conditions. Their unwavering dedication and courage earned them the Military Medal for their heroism on the Western Front. Their inspiring story drew the attention of journalists and photographers, making them two of the most photographed women of the war. In this moment, Mairi finds solace in the pages of a book, a testament to the resilience and determination of these remarkable women in the face of adversity. This poignant image, taken in 1917, serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by the brave men and women who served during World War I.
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