Heatherwood Hospital First Year

Sun-Kissed Cripples, A Wonderful Children's Hospital

The Duke of Connaught came to Ascot this afternoon to open formally the United Services Fund Heatherwood Hospital, wherein are almost 140 children of ex-Servicemen who suffer from various forms of surgical tuberculosis. It has been built on a gloriously healthy site near to the racecourse, in pine-laden air. It is financed by the profits derived from the Expeditionary Force canteens, and is administered by ex-Service men in conjunction with a committee of the United Services Fund. Field-Marshal Earl Haig and the Council of Management of the Fund are active sponsors of a successful scheme.

 

The vice-chairman of the Fund, Major-General Lord Loch, in the absence of Earl Haig, was at the head of a company of guests to meet his Royal Highness, which included Sir Thomas Horder, Sir Nathan Raw, Sir William Foster, Sir Napier Burnett, Brigadier-General R. H. More (organising secretary), and Sir Henry Gauvain (hon. consulting surgeon). ex-Service men's band played the National Anthem as the Duke arrived.

Lord Loch briefly explained the origin of the hospital, and paid tribute to the early work done by Lord Byng, from whom was read a message of good wishes. Bishop Taylor-Smith, Chaplain-General of the Forces, said a dedicatory prayer.

The Duke of Connaught, before opening the doors, commented gratefully on the efforts which had been made to relieve and cure the crippled children of those who had fought in the war. "I hope," remarked his Royal Highness, "that this hospital will be the happy beginning of a great and useful work, which will enable many children whose future would otherwise have been hopeless, to look back to the days when they were made secure for after life."

His Royal Highness first entered the infants' ward, a spacious apartment of polished cleanliness, its series of double doors thrown open to a delightful southern aspect. The spectacle that met the Duke's eyes was arresting. At a low flower-laden table stood five tiny children, their diminutive forms reflected by the shining floor, their little hands at the salute, preternaturally solemn. It was not the uniform. right-hand salute they gave, for in two cases that member was held rigid in bandages, and the left hand valiantly per- formed the courteous office, and as the eye swept the two lines of cats it was seen that each occupant also had a hand upon his forehead. Pitifully wasted brown arms were some, but always the face glowed with the kiss of the sun and the caress of the accessible health-giving air. The Duke stood for a few moments taking in the ineffably touching scene, for never has a great soldier received a more moving, up-lifting greeting than these sons of soldiers offered to their Royal visitors.

To each one his Royal Highness spoke tenderly, taking down the hand and gently holding it as he said, "Thank you for your salute." Fate has dealt cruel strokes. to many of the patients in this ward. One flaxen-haired child, whose spine affected, lay in enforced rigidity upon his back, his head hold in a wooden frame, but bis blue eyes were dancing with interest, and a ready smile broke on his face as the Duke spoke genial words over him. Teddy bears and ruffled doggies were shyly offered for his inspection. Cherished dollies were withdrawn from beneath the snow-white sheets to be introduced. His Royal Highness, from time to time, asked shrewd questions of the Medical Superintendent, Dr. Johnstone, and the Matron, Miss Salter, and he was told that the motto of the hospital was never to give up hope, to allow nature to take a hand in the cure, and that scalpel was rarely used. "We have not always recognised that we had nature with us," commented his Royal Highness. Then followed more secret little talks with the bravely-smiling patients, more gentle patting of little heads, more sympathetic inquiries as to distressing cases, as with unexampled patience they lay trussed upon their beds awaiting relief -maybe restoration. Yet every, ono emulated the Duke's encouraging smile, and there was a shining happiness in that immaculate home of healing which would have brought a blush of shame to the brow of the pessimist.

In the second ward were the older girls, again with those strangely roseate countenances. Some were occupied with simple needlework. Others had simple picture books at their side. The stronger ones made graceful curtsey before the Duke, shyly smiling the while. The matron pointed out to his Royal Highness the two most cheerful girls in the ward. They were in adjoining beds, and had been strapped upon their chests for three months. The hospital has its school mistress, for in many cases prolonged treatment is required, and education goes on concurrently wherever it is possible. In the boys' ward there were further salutes for the Duke, and more cheery words for the delighted patients. Surgical tuberculosis is a sore affliction, but in this model hospital where the latest results of scientific research are skilfully applied, the attack upon the disease is being conducted with enlightened competence and conspicuous success,
Extract The Courier 30/05/1923

 

Child's Royal Salute

"Thanks, My Little Man," Says Duke of Connaught to Tiny Patient.
"Thanks for your salute, my little man," said the Duke of Connaught yesterday to a child of not more than four who, stretched on his back in his cot at Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot, held his hand at the salute as the Duke approached.
The Duke formally opened the hospital, which is for the treatment of ex-Service men's children suffering from surgical tuberculosis.
The Duke made a tour of the wards and chatted with many of the small patients. In the first ward, filled with tiny tots, he was gravely saluted by half a dozen little men grouped round a table.
They stood stiffly to attention, one saluting with his left hand because his right arm was bound up in some sort of surgical appliance.
Extract Daily Mirror 30/05/1923

 

Hull British Legion

Prepared to Help Consumptive Children.
If there are any children of ex-servicemen locally who are suffering from surgical tuberculosis, it is notified for the information of parents or guardians that a section of the famous Heatherwood Hospital, a charming place near Ascot, is specially reserved for the care and treatment of these children, and the Hull branch of the British Legion can send any child up to the age of 12 or 14 years without any cost whatever to the parents or guardians concerned, for periods of treatment up to two years' duration.
Adequate home treatment is not always possible in these days of bad trade and un- employment, and the personal attention given to each case in this special section of the Heatherwood Hospital is sufficient to allay the worst doubt or fear.
Extract The Evening News 21/09/1923

 

Christmas Toys

Not very far away from London there has been built a hospital for children called the Heatherwood Hospital. In it there are about 150 little children, many of them seriously ill and compelled to lie on their backs for a year, or even several years. Very much is done by a kind matron and kind nurses to relieve their sufferings, and to make them as happy as possible, but there is not enough money coming in to provide these little children with toys. It has been suggested to me that perhaps there are many boys and girls who read this letter who would, if asked, spare one or two of their toys for these children. And I want to prove that the person who made the suggestion is right. Now I want you to look into the toy cupboard this week, and see what you no longer want. I am sure you will be able to find something. The Matron at the hospital will be ever so grateful, and your kindness will be much appreciated by the Editor. I, of course, shall be delighted to learn that among the readers of this letter there are many who are willing to give up at least one of their Christmas toys to the children down at Heatherwood, who are quite unable to find any other form of pleasure, or even any other way of passing the time.

Pack your toys carefully, and either take them or send them to the "Middlesex County Times" office, The Broadway. Ealing. addressed to "Uncle Tom." Yours affectionately. UNCLE TOM.
Extract From The Letters Page Middlesex County Times 20/01/1923

Comment:-A child patient could have a stay running into years,just as important as the medical care, providing enjoyment with a choice of toys, must have made their stays, just that little more bearable.