Book review: Compassion and dignity in the Second World War

A book for anyone interested in nursing history, A very private diary: A nurse in wartime, uses extracts from the diary of a nurse who served for seven years during the Second World War. Mary Morris was 18 when she arrived in London from a rural area of Ireland to begin her training as a nurse. Shortly after she arrived, the war broke out. Her diary provides an insight into the thoughts and experiences of a frontline nurse who treated victims of the Blitz and casualties of the war in Europe.

The book is beautifully written, fully conveying the often horrific experiences of Ms Morris. I found the passage where she describes treating children who had been mortally wounded during a bombing raid especially moving. I found Ms Morris' quiet determination and stoicism to continue to perform her role to the best of her ability inspiring. Her attitude is an inspiration to anyone in a caring profession, as she frequently risked her life to continue to look after the people around her.