Photograph, Gladys Cockroft, 1918

Photograph, Nurse Gladys Cockroft, 1918

Collected in 2003

Black and white photograph, landscape orientation of a woman in First World War military nursing uniform standing in a garden. The uniform includes a white pinafore and wimple.

Gladys Cockcroft of Knottingley was a nurse who served in the First World War.

Gladys trained in Hull between 1912 and 1916. In 1918, she joined the Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service (QAIMNS) as a staff nurse at York military hospital.

QAIMNS was formed in 1902 as the nursing service for the British Army. In 1908 it introduced a small Reserves force. QAIMNS restricted who could join its ranks. Nurses had to be single, over 25 and of high social standing. They were all well-educated with at least 3 years' training.

Silver coloured circular metal badge, the design features a large capital R with a crown on top in the centre, there is raised lettering around the edge of the circle.

Badge showing Gladys’ membership of the QAIMNS Reserves

During the First World War, QAIMNS lifted its restrictions. They need more women to join up to help treat the high number of wounded soldiers. Over 10,000 women joined the nursing Reserves, including married women and women from all levels of society.

Wartime Reserves nurses signed yearly contracts. This meant they could be easily demobbed when the war ended.

Nurses like Gladys were vital to the war effort. They served at home and overseas. Their contributions earned them respect and professional status.

In 1919 the government established the General Nursing Council (GNC). They guaranteed a minimum level of training and kept a register of qualified nurses. Gladys was among this first group of professional nurses.