Article about the history of Queen Mary’s Hospital, Roehampton, from the 'Friends of Queen Mary's Hospital' website
An excellent history of the Queen Mary's Hospital up until the present day, from the Geocaching website, Ghost Hospital #4
Please be advised: this website contains the names, images and voices of people who are now deceased.
Collections WA has a responsibility to preserve and make accessible the history and culture of Western Australia in all its various forms. The intention of Collections WA is to support research, and to reveal actions of the past that have impacted upon communities, families, and individuals.
In doing so, Collections WA acknowledges the need to respond sensitively and appropriately in cases when accessing this material may be confronting to Aboriginal visitors and clients.
Please also note: Some historical materials within this portal may include language or opinions that today are considered inappropriate or even offensive. Collections WA does not endorse this language and apologises for any distress caused.
Group portrait of the Matron and nursing staff on the steps of Roehampton House, which operated as Queen Mary's Convalescent Auxiliary Hospital from 1915-1938 and became world famous for its work in amputee rehabilitation.
The Matron, Amy Munn, can be seen standing in the centre at the back of the group, surrounded by 25 nurses and VADs. The Matron is wearing a long grey dress with a high white collar and a white veil. She has a large crucifix around her neck.
The nursing staff are dressed in grey uniforms covered with white aprons, and have a variety of head coverings from veils through to short caps. The back two rows of 15 women are generally older and have no red cross on their aprons. They are most likely to be qualified nurses. The front 10 are younger girls, perhaps Red Cross or VAD volunteers.
On the right hand side of the card is written 'Matron and Nursing Staff, Queen Mary's Convalescent Auxiliary Hospital, Roehampton' in black letters on a cream background.
The card was sent from L.C. of 101 Thurlestone Road in Norwood, London - approximately 8 miles SE of Roehampton House - to a Mrs Stonebridge, living at 3 Elthorne Park Road in Hanwell, a similar distance SW of Roehampton House. There is a green half penny stamp in the top right hand corner.
The message proposing a meeting for lunch on the following day is written in black ink.
Roehampton House was designed by architect, Thomas Archer, and built in 1710-1712 for merchant, Thomas Cary. Between 1910-1913, it was altered and the additional north and south wings were added.
It operated as a hospital between 1915-1938.
Two articles about the history of both the house and the hospital are attached as supplementary links.
Banjamin David Jones, who served with the 3rd Battalion, East Surrey Regiment, attended the hospital after having his right leg amputated just below the thigh. A collection of paperwork relating to Benjamin is held in the collection and this postcard was purchased to add context to the grouping.
On front of card:
"MATRON AND NURSING STAFF, QUEEN MARY'S CONVALESCENT
AUXILIARY HOSPITAL, ROEHAMPTON"
On reverse of card:
"101 Thurlestone Road
Wednesday
Will you meet us at
Temple Station at 12.30
To morrow (Thursday)
We will have lunch
out. Hope you got
home alright, The ?
rather looks like 2.30
but I mean 12.30.
L.C."
Mrs Stonebridge
Donegal
3 Elthorne Park Road
Hanwell"
Article about the history of Queen Mary’s Hospital, Roehampton, from the 'Friends of Queen Mary's Hospital' website
An excellent history of the Queen Mary's Hospital up until the present day, from the Geocaching website, Ghost Hospital #4
Scan this QR code to open this page on your phone ->