During World War II, from 1940 to 1945, Germany occupied the Channel Islands. During this difficult time, islanders had to depend on their own resources, enduring five long years under an oppressive regime. Nevertheless, numerous stories emerged highlighting personal struggles, courage, and resilience, illustrating the unyielding human spirit even in the darkest of times.

One notable group comprised primarily of young, untrained women who selflessly tended to the sick and injured civilians of Guernsey at the Guernsey Emergency Hospital—the island's sole wartime hospital—despite lacking proper resources or formal training. Under the guidance of three qualified matrons, they embodied the spirit of improvisation and commitment, transforming challenges into opportunities. These young nurses worked long hours in difficult conditions, leaning on each other for support before the era of structured ‘counseling’ emerged.

Through these trials, lasting friendships were forged, and the memories of their youthful experiences remain vivid over the years. The reflections shared by the surviving nurses and compiled in this book provide an insightful look into the operations of a small Channel Island hospital during wartime, encapsulating the essence of resilience and camaraderie in the face of adversity.