Heatherwood Hospital 1922-2023
Former Heatherwood patients recall their stays at a dearly loved hospital.
This section of the web site is dedicated to former patients who have found our web site and have contacted us to tell their stories.
The web site was first posted in 2000.-
To date twelve former patients have contacted the league. Here is short snippets of their memories for the full story click on their page links.
I was a patient in Heatherwood several times in the 1940's and received an education and remember a few days after a serious operation,I was asked to take what was then the 11 plus,which I passed and went on to grammar school. Unfortunately I had to return to Heatherwood for further treatment so missed 2 and a half years at grammar school.
Terence writes about his many visits starting in the 1940's.
Terence Brion
My Nan said granddad had fond memories of people from Heatherwood and had many friends.
Hayley Arthur writes about her grandfather.
Dennis Brown
I hope you find the article below interesting enough to post it on your great web site. Heatherwood Hospital 1955-57ish Michael Enever Chronic Osteomyelitis 9 years old.
Michael writes about his stay in the 1950's.
Michael Enever
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My name is Ruby Knapp, nee Smith and was admitted to Heatherwood hospital in May 1952 as a very sick child suffering from spinal T.B. I had been examined at Hereford hospital at the age of 4 years prior to this complaining of back pain. However although I was examined clinically and radiological regretfully no abnormality was found so as you can imagine the disease had a good while to progress before treatment was started at Heatherwood.
My name is Ruby Knapp, nee Smith and was admitted to Heatherwood hospital in May 1952 as a very sick child suffering from spinal T.B.
Ruby Knapp
I was delighted to discover all the old group photographs on the Web Site, one of which you will see below, I am the girl in the middle of the front row, next to Sister Usher. I have also included two of my own snap-shots of two nurses and Staff Nurse Smith.
I was a patient at Heatherwood (aged 14), having been transferred from Hackney Hospital, East London, on 8th May, 1945 (VE Day) until my discharge 1947.
Isobel Kaniewski
I spent many years in Heatherwood orthopaedic hospital as it was called in my young days.
Peter Lapper has supplied some pictures and recalls his stay at his second home 1942 - 1958.
Peter Lapper
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I have just come across your web site, and was amazed to see my photo in the Peter Lapper photo archive. I remember Peter quite well, and Frances Fagen and Jimmy Martin, who I was friendly with.
Terry Martinelli found our web site and was amazed his picture was on the web site. 1949.
Terry Martinelli
A recent conversation with my 88 year old mother about my childhood illness prompted me to search for a web site detailing Heatherwood Hospital. I can't tell you how surprised and delighted I was to find your site.
Brian Sherrington writes about his stay. Brian was a patient around 1950-1952
Brian Sherrington
Derek recently returned to the hospital and was delighted to see that the main character of the old wards was still very much in evidence.
Derek has supplied some pictures taken during his stay. Derek was a patient on ward 1 during 1940 - 1950.
Derek Smith
I don't know the exact sequence of events that brought me to Heatherwood Hospital. I know that I had operations on my neck for TB glands at both the London Hospital in Whitechapel & because we were evacuated there-Northampton General-which I presume was the hospital that sent me on to Heatherwood.
Eileen describes in great detail memories of her stay at Heatherwood during the war years.
Eileen Thompson
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We were only able to visit once a week,on a Sunday. We lived in Epsom and needed to take 2 trains to Ascot. I used to be able to be in bed with her on one Sunday per month. I was only able to see her once a month, but Mum and Dad saw her weekly. I used to sit outside the ward.
I am writing about my late sister Alison Ottewell who was an inpatient at Heatherwood for about 18 months in the mid 1950s. She was 6 years of age and had bed rest for the treatment of Perthes Disease. Our parents died recently and I found several photos of Alison and the hospital and asked if we would like to see them.
Janet Wickens (nee Ottewell)
There were lots of times spent crying and lots of times laughing, but I wish I could remember more of my time in Heatherwood seeing that I spent 4 and a half years in there.
Joyce describes in great detail memories of her stay at Heatherwood during the years 1945 60 1950/51.
Joyce Woodman (nee Bartlett)
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