'The Plague of Women', 1900

Colour photolithograph after Rowland Hill ('RIP'), published in 'Truth Christmas Number', 25 December 1900.

Caricature related to the Army Nursing Service and the Boer War (1899-1902), showing elegant volunteer nurses in civilian clothing, preening themselves and sipping tea in a ward full of wounded soldiers who lie neglected in their beds.

Women on campaign were often viewed unfavourably, even by Queen Victoria, and those travelling to South Africa as volunteers or members of the Army Nursing Services were mocked as 'heartless society butterflies' by contemporary journalist Mortimer Menpes.

Their work however was vital and they consistently pushed to go closer to the front line. One regimental medical officer remarked 'They have simply proved their right to attend to the wounded wherever they may be found'. As the Boer War continued, there was soon a desperate need for more nurses. British, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand women responded to the call to duty, showing what they could achieve at the heart of the action. At the beginning of the war, there had been 80 nursing sisters with the troops. By the end, there were 1,400.