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The Call to Duty: Canada's Nursing Sisters

The First World War saw a major mobilization of soldiers, equipment, supplies and medical staff. Between 1914 and 1918, 2,003 women enlisted with the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) and went overseas. The war was perceived as exclusively male, but the presence of nursing sisters near the front and close to the line of fire has shattered this misperception and highlighted the importance of female caregivers during the war. These women looked after almost 540,000 soldiers and worked near the battlefields under difficult conditions.

Check out the letters, diaries and photographs of Canadian nursing sisters who served during the Great War. Follow these nurses as they witness the destruction of war, participate in social events, and help patients, as you transcribe, translate, tag and/or describe their writings and photographs.

Sophie Hoerner

Born in Montréal, Quebec, on August 21, 1877, and trained at McGill University, Sophie Hoerner volunteered as a nurse on April 15, 1915. During the First World War, Sophie served in France, first with the No. 1 Canadian General Hospital in early 1915, then with the No. 3 Canadian General Hospital; later, Sophie was home sister and finally assistant matron with the No. 3 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station.

During her first year of service, Sophie wrote extensively to family and friends back home. Share what she went through as you transcribe, translate, tag and/or describe 51 letters. Gain insight into her experiences of war and military life, her social activities, and her work and patients.

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