Barrack Gallery

Florence Nightingales carriage at the seat of war

Born in Italy in 1820, she moved to England with her wealthy family and was educated at home by her father. Although it was not deemed suitable for ladies of Florence's social standing to become nurses, she believed that it was God's chosen path for her. She trained in Kaiserswerth, near Dusseldorf and then returned to England to take a post at a Harley Street surgery. Florence Nightingale was sent along with 38 nurses to the Barrack Hospital in Scutari to assist with medical support. As she cared for the troops she gained much respect, writing letters home on the soldiers behalf and fighting to improve the sanitary conditions of the field hospitals. When Florence returned from the Crimea she received a hero's welcome. She published two books about her opinions on hospital reforms and campaigned for better quality nursing training until her death in August 1910

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans

The Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh, Scotland

The Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh, Scotland (interior, the entrance to the shrine) - housed in a re-developed barrack block in Crown Square, at the heart of Edinburgh castle. Proposals for a Scottish National War Memorial were put forward in 1917, during the First World War, by John Stewart-Murray, 8th Duke of Atholl, and Capt George Swinton of Kimmerghame (from who's Estate the stone originated). Sir Robert Lorimer, one of the architects involved in the Imperial War Graves Commission, was appointed in 1919, but opposition to a large-scale monument arose from the Cockburn Association and others concerned with the castle's heritage. A more modest scheme to remodel the North Barrack Block was finally agreed in 1923, and the memorial was formally opened on 14 July 1927 by the Prince of Wales. Date: circa late 1920s

© Mary Evans / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection

The Curragh Camp, County Kildare, Ireland

The Curragh Camp, County Kildare, Ireland - Viewed from the Clock Tower. An army base and military college - the main training centre for the Irish Army. Date: circa 1910s

© Mary Evans / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection

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