Mairi Chisholm (1896-1981) and Elsie Knocker (1884-1978) where nurses and ambulance drivers on the Western Front in the First World War. They also were unique in the fact that as British women, they had a camera and access to the frontline where they photographed their work and lives as well as disturbing images of the dead and wounded. The two women were champion motorcyclists and met at Bournemouth Motorcycle club. When the First World War broke out they went to London to offer their services.

Known as the ‘Madonna’s of Pervyse’ they were recruited by Dr Hector Munro’s ‘Women’s Emergency Corp’ and were in Belgium by September where they would drive the wounded and dead to the hospital. By November they left the Corps & set up their own dressing station in Pervyes - just 100 yards from the front.

Both Chisholm and Knocker took photos of their time in Belgium and offer a unique perspective of life on the frontline as women and nurses.

Elsie Knocker by Mairi Chisholm (National Library of Scotland).