Final answer:
British Secretary of War Sidney Herbert sent Florence Nightingale to the Crimea, where her work in nursing would lead to significant advances in military medical care and the foundation of modern epidemiology.
Step-by-step explanation:
British Secretary of War Sidney Herbert sent Florence Nightingale to the Crimea. Florence Nightingale is renowned for her work in nursing during the Crimean War. She kept meticulous records of the causes of illness and death among soldiers, her recordkeeping and analysis contributing significantly to the early science of epidemiology. In addition to laying the groundwork for modern nursing, her efforts led to substantial reforms in military medical care.
Nightingale's deployment to Crimea and subsequent work in improving hygiene and sanitation in military hospitals also serves as a notable historical example of women's contributions to warfare, similar to other heroines such as Joan of Arc and Edith Cavell. Although the text provided observes the service and sacrifice of many Canadian women, including Grace Morris and Elizabeth Smellie, it was Florence Nightingale who was specifically sent by Sidney Herbert to address the deplorable conditions in the Crimean War.