Eighteen months in the war zone : the record of a woman's work on the western front

In this vivid first‑hand account, a young woman volunteers on the Western Front, detailing her daily duties amid the bustling makeshift town of Boulogne. She describes the rapid transformation of a quiet fishing port into a sprawling network of tents, corrugated‑iron huts, and hurriedly assembled hospitals, all set against the backdrop of distant artillery and the ever‑present threat of enemy fire. Her observations capture the mixture of hope and exhaustion that defines life for the countless nurses, orderlies, and support staff who kept the wounded afloat.

The narrative balances stark, graphic scenes of injury and loss with moments of unexpected humanity—shared meals in cramped mess halls, the quiet solidarity of soldiers and civilians, and the resilient spirit of those rebuilding a town under siege. Through clear, unembellished prose, she offers listeners an intimate glimpse of wartime medical work, the logistical challenges of a frontline base, and the personal sacrifices that underpinned the broader conflict. This diary invites you to walk the narrow streets of Boulogne and feel the pulse of a world at war, seen through the eyes of one determined to bear witness.