The first NZ nurses deployed in WW1 left Wellington on the 1st April 1915. They initially served in Cairo with the Australian Army Nursing Corps until the first members of the NZ Army Nursing Service arrived. From the outset nurses of the NZANS were accorded officer status and this lead to many instances of disbelief in the military that woman were to be treated as officers.
Eddie, our wonderful host had already researched relevant locations and with the skill of a practiced local he shepharded the Bazflyers around the chaotic streets of Heliopolis. A century ago Heliopolis was a newly constructed 'grand-scale' town outside of Cairo. It was here NZ nurses worked tending to the many injured New Zealand soldiers evacuated from Gallipoli and elsewhere. The ANZAC's operated two hospitals in Heliopolis, Australia had set up a hospital in the Palace Hotel which became known as the Palace Hospital. New Zealand used money donated from Wanganui residents to equip a nearby house that became known as the 'Aotea' Convalescence Hospital.
The tremendous difficulties which beset these nurses in Egypt during the summer of 1915 can not be underestimated. New Zealanders, who by their enthusiasm and devotion to duty established and built up an organisation that proved to be then and again in WW2, of inestimable benefit to our sick and wounded soldiers.
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