It is hoped that you will find the materials contained in this teaching pack a useful addition to your resources. Many of the items are copied from the originals, which are to be found in the Regimental Archive of The Sherwood Foresters Museum, while others originated from contemporary sources. Our Museum Archive is a collection which has been assembled over many years and which seeks to preserve and present the history of the Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derbys) Regiment throughout its long and distinguished existence. Every attempt has been made to relate the contents of the various stages of the National Curriculum and this particular theme may be of use to both Primary staff at Key Stage 2 and Secondary staff at Key Stage 3. Teachers may use their own discretion in the selection of suitable items.
Florence Nightingale has long been recognised as an outstanding figure of British history during the nineteenth century. Her famous mercy mission during the Crimean War and her later contribution both to nursing and hospital administration at home and abroad have earned her world wide recognition. Norman Keen�s short book on her life, published in the Derbyshire Heritage Series, covers the main points of her life but there are a variety of accounts given more details about her remarkable life which came to an end in 1910, with a simple funeral and burial in the village churchyard at Wellow, near the family home of Embley House, Hampshire. Keen�s book also outlines Florence Nightingale�s strong links with Derbyshire.
The 95th Regiment (the forerunner of the 2nd Battalion of the Sherwood Foresters) fought throughout the Crimean War of 1854-56. The Regimental Archives contain some fascinating reminders of that campaign, some of which are reproduced in this teaching pack. In view of Florence Nightingale�s contribution to modern medical care, not least within the armed forces, it is appropriate to include information and items which bring the story through to the present day. It is not the purpose of this teaching pack to propose detailed teaching plans but the following suggestions for classroom activities may be of some help.
Make up a parcel of useful items to send to a soldier in the Crimean winter.
A famous engineer, Isamabard Brunel, designed the first ever prefabricated hospital for use in the Crimea. Imagine you are Brunel and make a plan of your hospital using six buildings to provide all facilities.
Florence Nightingale discovered a shortage of all kinds of items when she and her nurses arrived in the Crimea. Compose a letter she might have written home to the local newspaper, asking for help.
Florence Nightingale encouraged other people to take an interest in first aid, caring for the sick and supporting medical care. As a project make a report or a scrapbook of an organisation or charity that carries out these aims today.
What do the letters RAMC, RADC, QARANC stand for? Each is associated with a particular badge or symbol. Find out what each is and make a drawing of it
. These are various people near your school who are trained in medical skills of different kinds. See if you can find out about one of them. They might even visit you to talk about their work!
Florence Nightingale was asked to choose a small group of young women to train as nurses to work with her in the Crimea. Plan a play in which Florence interviews candidates who explain why they want to do nursing.
Using material from the teaching pack, together with other items you can find, make a display in your classroom or school about nursing through the ages.
You are encouraged to use the material provided within this pack to the best advantage of your class. However, some of the items are protected by the law of copyright and are provided here for educational purposes only. They may not be photographed or reproduced by any other means or used for financial gain. In some instances the copyright restrictions have been removed and where this is applicable the notes on the items are clearly marked giving permission to copy.
The Crimean War marked a significant development in media coverage of important events. News of the war was covered by war correspondents, one of the most well known being William Howard Russell of the �Times� newspaper. His reports revealed the dreadful conditions which the troops were forced to endure and, in particular, the almost total lack of adequate medical facilities. Russell�s reporting was one of the factors which led to Florence Nightingale and her volunteer nurses.
This master sheet is suitable for copying, it identifies the main areas referred to in the account of the Crimean War. It also illustrates the travelling distances which affected communications, supplies and the evacuation of the wounded, especially as the Black Sea was subject to violent storms during the winter.
We are fortunate that by the mid-nineteenth century cameras were providing a visual record of events for the first time. Illustrations from engravings were also widely used in magazines and newspapers. Florence Nightingale was not entirely happy at all, with publicity she received and was embarrassed by, the international acclaim and awards which were showered on her. After her return to Britain she played an important role in hospital development, including consultations with the Derby Consultant Dr. Ogle, which led to the building of the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary and the creation of a nursing school. People such as Sir John Simon, Dr. William Farr, and Sir John McNeill all worked with Florence Nightingale in creating a comprehensive Public Health and Hygiene Service.
Mary Seacole deserves a special mention as a reminder that there were other nurses working in the Crimea. Born in Jamaica, her first contact with the British Army was through regiments stationed in the Caribbean and was highly regarded by General Sir Colin Campbell, who later served in the Crimea. When Mary Seacole read about the Crimean War she felt her nursing experience with the Army could be of use and at her own expense she came to Britain. However, in common with other black women she was rejected as being unsuitable on grounds of her colour and the Nightingale Nursing Mission left without her. Undeterred, she made her way to the Crimea and chose to work at the British Military Depot at Balaclava in the Crimea, where she nursed battlefield casualties, rather than at the Scutari Hospital. William Howard Russell spoke very highly of her.
There is a great deal of dispute as to what exactly Florence Nightingale�s famous lamp looks like. Contemporary illustrations show her with a candle lamp or even a traditional candle- holder.
The lead musket ball was the principal cause of the horrific battle wounds, which the soldiers of both sides suffered.
Disease, especially cholera and dysentery, killed as many men as did shot, many being affected when in the unhygienic hospitals.
The collection of owls represents an earlier part of Florence Nightingale�s life. As a young girl at Holloway in Derbyshire she had an owl which she rescued and kept as a pet. Her early nursing skills were practised caring for animals in the area, and later in visiting sick villagers.
The original hand written poem, �Miss Nightingale�, written by a wounded soldier of the 95th Derbyshire Regiment, shows the enormous affection shown by ordinary people for Florence Nightingale throughout her life.
The items of uniform and clothing provide some background detail to the period studied.
The Scutari nurses dress with its distinctive sash, was designed by Florence Nightingale.
The modern QARANC officers nursing uniform reflects the tradition of Army Nursing which, under recent re-organisation is staffed by men as well as women.
The RAMC retain responsibility for doctors and support staff.
The display includes a variety of badges and insignia illustrating various branches of the Army Medical Services during the past 100 years.
Enlarged cigarette cards illustrating the introduction of mechanised transport for the medical services 1914-18.
Nursing and First Aid manuals are a reminder of the Voluntary Services, The Red Cross Society, St Johns Ambulance Association and St Andrews (Scotland).
Nursing and medical schools also developed in the late 19th century.
The remarkable quality of the Victorian photographs record some of the veterans of the 95th Derbyshire Regiment who served with distinction in the Crimean War, especially at the Battle of Alma (20th September 1854) and at Inkerman (5th November 1854). By the end of the war injury and disease had reduced the regiment to less than 100 men but the Light Division said of them , �There may be a few of the 95th left but they are as Hard as Nails�, earning them the nickname �The Nails�. The group photograph shows the bearded, weather-beaten figures of Sergeant Geary, Private Onslow and Lance Corporal Cattray of the Light Company of the 95th , proudly wearing their Crimean Campaign Medals and indicates by what quality of man the nickname �The Nails� was earned.