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War heroes honoured
06/06/2008
The courageous and selfless work of the Scottish Women's Hospital for Foreign Service (SWHFS) was honoured today at a memorial event in Paris.
Communities Minister Stewart Maxwell observed the laying of a memorial monument at the Abbaye de Royaumont to the endeavours of the SWHFS, founded by Edinburgh medic Dr Elsie Inglis.
Mr Maxwell said:
"It is a great pleasure to help mark the selflessness and dedication shown by the women of the Scottish Women's Hospital for Foreign Service.
"Dr Elsie Inglis founded the Scottish Women's Hospital for Foreign Service in 1914 and opened its first Auxiliary hospital at Abbaye de Royaumont in Paris. Through the First World War the SWHFS arranged 14 medical units to serve not only in France, but Malta, Romania, Russia, Salonika and Serbia, helping to save the lives of those on the front line.
"The courage, valour and sacrifice of Dr Inglis, her colleagues, and Scottish service men and women is appropriately recognised and celebrated by this fine memorial to their great deeds."