42896: Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service

Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service, or QAIMNS, was officially formed in 1902 under Royal Warrant, although nursing duties had been carried out by the Army Nursing Service and the Indian Nursing Service. Queen Alexandra was asked to become president, an office she held until her death in 1925. She was succeeded by Queen Mary. During the First World War there were over 100,000 nurses on active service; QAIMNS nurses also served during the Second World War.

In 1949 the organisation was renamed Queen Alexandra’s Royal Nursing Corps.