E. C. (Eleanor Constance) Laurence
A Nurse's Life in War and Peace
"A Nurse's Life in War and Peace" by E. C. Laurence is a personal account written in the early 20th century. This memoir narrates the experiences of a nurse, highlighting her journey from schooling to her adventures in various hospitals, including her nursing during the Boer War and her time in South Africa. The author offers readers insight into the challenges faced by nurses in both civilian and military settings. The opening of the book introduces the author’s early aspirations to become a nurse, sparked by her desire for a meaningful career and inspired by the Royal Red Cross initiative. Set against a routine school life, Laurence expresses her longing to leave and pursue nursing, feeling that her delicate health may have made her more suited for the role of caregiver. She writes about her travels, her scientific curiosity, and her determination to train as a nurse in a general hospital, ending with her preparations for future opportunities.