Nursing & Midwifery

The Flying Nightingales, 1939-1945

Display No. 48

Named after Florence Nightingale, the Flying Nightingales were a group of 200 nurses who made up the Royal Air Force (RAF) Air Ambulance Unit, to save wounded soldiers during the Second World War.

By plane, they would carry supplies to Allied troops fighting in Europe and return with casualties. Surviving members of the Flying Nightingales were honoured with a lifetime achievement award presented by the Duchess of Cornwall in 2008.

Associated Newspapers /​Shutterstock

Exhibits from ‘Nursing & Midwifery’.

Discover the 200 Exhibits

Nightingale is respected worldwide for her pioneering role in developing the nursing profession, her statistical work, and her evidence-based approach to healthcare. In honour of her bicentenary the World Health Organisation have named 2020 the Year of the Nurse and Midwife.

In our special exhibition, you will find out about objects, people and places which tell interesting stories about Florence’s life and legacy. You’ll discover artefacts from her life, people she both inspired and challenged, and places she helped to shape. There’s many more insights too!

Please click on the different sections of her famous coxcomb diagram to explore various aspects of her life and legacy. We hope you enjoy exploring!