| Description | In 1859 Henry Dunant, a Swiss businessman was concerned about the volume of deaths during the Battle of Solferino. He made recommendations, and following this the predecessor to the International Committee of the Red Cross was formed in Geneva in 1863. Calls for international collaboration resulted in the 1864 Geneva Convention. Currently this is known as the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
The British Red Cross Society was founded as a result of calls during war between France and Prussia in 1870 for there to be a society based on the principles of the Geneva Convention to be established in Britain. The British National Society for Aid to the Sick and Wounded in War aided during subsequent wars. It was renamed to the British Red Cross in 1905 and granted a Royal Warrant in 1908. Voluntary Aid Detachments began being trained from 1909, and through them aid was provided both at home and abroad throughout both world wars. In the 21st century The British Red Cross continues to provide aid at home and abroad as part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement as well as helping with cost of living, mobility, emergencies and providing support to refugees.
Contents: British Red Cross Society nurse examinations, 1916-1939. |