Queen Alexandria of Denmark
(1844-1925)
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In 1899 the onset of the Boer War served as a great testing ground for this service. Great strides forward were made in the treating of the sick and injured and the War Office quickly recognised that the number of causalities that were returned to duty quickly had increased due to the work of this service easily justified its cost. On 27th March 1902 The Queen Alexandra's Imperial Nursing service was formally established and a Royal Warrent issued. Queen Alexandra consented to become the first President and selected the insignia and motto. As she came from the Royal House of Denmark she choose a white cross taken from the Danish flag and the motto "Sub-Crucia Candida" meaning "Under the White Cross". During the First World War some 100,000 Nurses served in France , Italy , Salonika, Egypt, Palestine, Mesopotamia, India, East Africa and Russia. This gallant record of service in all theatres of war continued during the Second World War. In 1941 badges of rank were introduced for members of the QAIMNS as before this they had been granted officer status but not been allowed to wear rank. Nurses served throughout the war in most areas including the Japanese concentration camps of Hong Kong and Malaya and carried ranks from Lieutenant to Brigadier. The QAs are still a vital part of the British Army today and although are trained nurses all complete standard basic military training before going on to specialist training and can be recognised by their distinctive blue/grey beret.