Revealed: The feminist story of the women who set up First World War hospital in Russia

This article originally appeared on Culture24.

"Underlying message of feminism" in story of Scottish Women's Hospital as part of new World War I anthologyClick on the picture to launch a gallery from the book

If illustrated novels are perhaps seen as a particularly accessible presentation of well-known war stories, Selina Lock, whose narrative is included in a Graphic Anthology of the First World War, is stylishly revealing a Russian tale few written accounts have reflected.

Lock’s work, Go Home and Sit Still – named after the army’s instructions to her heroine – features a female surgeon, Dr Inglis, who sees the services of her Scottish Women’s Hospital turned down during World War I. Rather than returning to Britain, Inglis created a hospital to look after troops in Russia.

“When I started researching women in the First World War I came across several accounts from women who had been involved in the Scottish Women's Hospitals. I thought they were an inspiring group,” says Lock.

“One of the editors, John 'Brick' Stuart Clark, a political cartoonist from Nottingham, contacted me about the anthology as he knew me and my previous comic strip work.

“They were a few months into the project and realised they didn't have any strips looking at the experiences of women during the First World War and asked if I'd be interested in pitching some ideas.

“There is an underlying message of feminism to the story because the Hospital evolved from the suffrage movement.

“They wanted to support the war effort, while showing that women could contribute many different skills. But mainly I wanted to tell their story because I had no idea there were British women out in Russia running hospitals during World War I. I thought other people would also find that interesting.”

One of 26 short graphic stories compiled, Lock’s work has been animated to dramatic, often disquieting effect by illustrator Arthur Goodman.

“I'm thrilled that my story was included because it's a high quality collection of comic strips, inspired by true stories,” she says.

“I feel it does a good job of showcasing a wide range of experiences from different people and different cultures rather than just focusing on the most familiar aspects of the war.”

Bookseller Jane Anger says the anthology “has important stories to tell.”

“It is a rebellious book and a book to be celebrated for the questions it raises,” she feels.

“There is a huge appetite for comic interpretations of war and conflict.

“It both challenges our attitudes to war and humanises the costs of conflict.”

Writers and artists from 13 countries are represented in the book.

• To End All Wars: the Graphic Anthology of the First World War is published by Soaring Penguin Press, priced £18.99. £2 from each sale goes to Medecines Sans Frontieres. Visit toendallwarscomic.wordpress.com for more.

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Source: http://www.culture24.org.uk//history-and-heritage/military-history/first-world-war/art506720-revealed-the-feminist-story-of-the-women-who-set-up-first-world-war-hospital-in-Russia