Bibliograph

Type

Label

Elsie and Mairi go to war, two extraordinary women on the Western Front, Diane Atkinson

Language

eng

Bibliography note

Includes bibliographical references (pages 257-261) and index

resource.biographical

contains biographical information

Illustrations

mapsplatesillustrations

Index

index present

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

Elsie and Mairi go to war

Nature of contents

bibliography

Oclc number

464580321

Responsibility statement

Diane Atkinson

Sub title

two extraordinary women on the Western Front

Summary

When they met at a motorcycle club in 1912, Elsie Knocker was a thirty-year-old divorcee, and Mairi Chisholm was a brilliant eighteen-year old mechanic living at home. In 1914, they roared off to London "to do their bit" for the war effort, and within a month they were in Belgium driving ambulances. Frustrated by men dying of shock in their vehicles, they set up their own first-aid post on the front line in the village of Pervyse, near Ypres, risking their lives under sniper fire and heavy bombardment. As news of their courage and expertise spread, the "Angels of Pervyse" became celebrities. Glamorous and influential, they were having the time of their lives, and for four years Elsie and Mairi and stayed in Pervyse until they were nearly killed by gas. But returning home and adjusting to peacetime life--and the role of women in British society--was to prove more challenging than the war.--From publisher description

Table Of Contents

The Shapter chapter -- The Chisholm chapter -- The cellar-house of Pervyse -- When Elsie met Harry -- The madonnas of Pervyse -- Sandbags instead of handbags -- Gas! -- Back to blighty -- After-lives -- The Second World War

Classification

Creator