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NETLEY ABBEY MATTERS!
THE PAST LIVES + TIMES OF THE
ROYAL VICTORIA MILITARY HOSPITAL, NETLEY
1862 - 1966
CHAPTER 3 - INTER-WAR YEARS AT NETLEY 1919 - 1938
Several articles first relating to events which occurred in the last month or so of 1918 ...
At last the dreadful carnage of that Great War ended by the signing of the Armistice on 11th November 1918 and Netley Hospital gradually returned to its more tranquil peacetime existence.
It still acted as a reception point for sick servicemen from overseas and it continued to be
an important psychiatric and convalescent Hospital.
Its psychiatric role had been recognised from the earliest days because a
'lunatic asylum' had been built, 'D' Block, as long ago as 1870.
[Web.archive.org/southernlife.org.uk]
Burying the fallen of the Great War in the country where they died was the idea of Sir Fabian Ware, Founder of the Imperial War Graves Commission. He thought that it would result in equal treatment of soldiers
and officers alike, as there would be no distinction between rich and poor,
those who could afford to bring their loved ones home and those who couldn't.
Soldiers who died at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley could be returned to their home town by train,
at a cost of one penny a mile - tough if he had lived in the Outer Hebrides!
The Boys behind Hound War Memorial, Paul Keast + Maureen Queen
Private George William Andrew
Service No 2055
Nottinghamshire + Derbyshire Regiment.
He was born 1898 in Eye, near Peterborough, Cambs. In 1901 his parents lived at Upper Francis Street, Derby.
He was admitted to Netley Hospital on 04/03/1919
suffering from chronic synovitis of the right knee.
He was discharged as unfit for further
service on 28/03/1919.
According to his RAF Service records, he was awarded Silver Badge No 6218 on 07/04/1919 and King’s Certificate of Discharge No 3286 on 17/06/1920.
He was later in the 2/8th Royal Scots,
Service No 6403.
He died in Glasgow Royal Infirmary in 1963.
livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk
Uniform of the Notts +
Derbyshire Regiment
Corporal E C Rhinehart
Service No 1311929, US Army
He died at Netley Hospital on 11/04/1919, aged 25.
He was originally buried in Netley Military Cemetery on 15/04/1919
but his remains were removed by the US Army on 13/04/1920.
Sergeant Arthur Robert Adams
Medical Orderly with the Voluntary Aid Detachment
At the Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley from November 1914 to April 1919
He lived at Orchard Cottage, Chapel Lane, West End, Southampton.
He was 34 years old when he signed up with the VAD.
His Grand-daughter is our very own Maureen Queen, who does so much for Netley Abbey Village
"Model Farm at Netley Military Hospital"
"For the purpose of training disabled Service men in agriculture and horticulture,
the Imperial Service Farm Committee is to organise a Model Farm in the grounds of Netley Hospital.
The Government has undertaken to provide the necessary experts, and material and appliances will
be obtained from Government sources."
Hampshire Advertiser 14/06/1919
Sequel to a Hospital Romance
A VAD's Two Husbands
In the Divorce Court yesterday, Mr Justice Horridge granted a decree of nullity of marriage to Mr Arthur Holman Hooke, formerly a Lieutenant in the Army, on the ground that at the time he went through a ceremony of marriage with the respondent, Helen Brenda Pearl Perrin, she had a husband living.
There was no defence.
The petitioner, who was in civilian attire and had lost a leg in the war, said that last year, he fell in love with the respondent at Netley Hospital where she was a VAD Nurse.
They were married on 12 June 1918, he believing that she was a spinster and she described
herself as the daughter of a general.
Later inquiries showed that the lady had been married to Captain Edwin Douglas Perrin in September 1915.
Her father was a Stationmaster on the South-Western Railway.
Daily Herald 13/11/1919
Christmas Gifts for Hospital Patients"
A number of ladies from Freemantle Congregational church entertained to a Christmas Party about 50 wounded soldiers at the RVH on Monday. They gave them first a sit-down tea. During the evening, every man received a gift from the Christmas Tree with chocolate and fruit being passed around."
Hampshire Advertiser, 03/01/1920
Staff Sergeant John (or George) A Mennie
Service No 8/344082, Royal Army Service Corps
He died at Netley Hospital on 17/02/1920, aged 24.
He is the third surviving son of Mr and Mrs Mennie, Highfield, Peterculter.
He is buried in Peterculter Churchyard
Aberdeen Press + Journal 19/02/1920 says "John"; Army Register of Soldiers' Effects says "George"
The Welsh Hospital at Netley
The Hospitals at Netley 1914 - 1918 tells the story of the success of the
Hospital through the efforts of the Welsh people + Sir William James Thomas
Gunner William G T Lane
Service No 198440, Royal Garrison Artillery.
"He had been a patient at the Royal Victoria Hospital since November 1919 suffering from heat stroke
as a result of his services in the East. He was 28 years of age.
He was sadly found dead on the beach at Netley Hospital on 22/03/1920.
The body had not been washed about and his walking stick was in his hand and his cap was under him.
Major Bernard Varvill, who had made a post-mortem examination, was of the opinion that the
deceased had not died as a result of drowning but in a fit, probably induced by heat stroke.
The Inquest Jury found that his death was caused by a fit induced by heat stroke.
He had previously lived in Newtown, Croydon, Surrey."
Hampshire Advertiser 27/03/1920
Lt Colonel Ernest Albert Bourke
Commandant of the Royal Victoria Hospital Netley
He was born on 25/03/1870. In 1897, he arrived at Netley to take part in
the 75th session of the Army Medical School Training Course as a Surgeon-on-Probation.
In 1920 he returned to the Hospital as Commanding Officer.
He was awarded the DSO on 03/06/1916.
Hampshire Advertiser 09/10/1897; Forces War Records; Fold3; Army Gazette Page 5566
Private Joseph Greene
Service No EMT/56640,
4th Motor Transport Depot, Royal Army Service Corps
He died at Netley Hospital on 03/08/1920 and is buried in Netley Military Cemetery, Grave Ref RC935
War Graves of the British Empire
The local rag kept everyone abreast of Hospital News!
Serjeant W G Madge,
Service No 4604
Royal Field Artillery
He was awarded the Military Medal.
He died at Netley Hospital on 28/08/1920, age 39
He is buried at Netley Military Cemetery, Grave Ref CE 2037.
Casualty Search for Netley Military Cemetery at cwgc.org
Intoxicated? No, Dental Treatment!
Henry James , 46 a shoemaker and an in-patient at Netley Hospital, was charged at Southampton Police Court on Wednesday with being drunk and disorderly in Orchard Lane.
PC Franklin said the accused was drunk and shouting “I am a soldier still in hospital”. Mr James indignantly denied being drunk, declaring that he had not tasted intoxicants for two months. He said he had been to the dentist and had 5 teeth extracted, cocaine being administered.
He was suffering from neuritis and paralysis and after leaving the dentist’s, his head went round and his legs gave way. The case was dismissed.
Hampshire Advertiser 06/11/1920
Ms Marion Nicolls
French Red Cross
Dispenser at Royal Victoria Hospital in May 1917, returning in 1920
She was born in 1876 at Holloway, Middlesex. On leaving school she trained as a chemist.
She joined the Scottish Women’s Hospitals working in the Serbian unit from 01/04/1915 to 12/02/1916.
She was taken prisoner by the Austrians in 1915 and released in January 1916.
She was awarded Women’s Services and Distinguished Conduct Medals.
She enlisted with the French Red Cross in France serving there until May 1917 when she took up a dispensary role at the Royal Victoria Auxiliary Hospital, Netley in May 1917.
She was awarded the “Cross of Honour” in recognition of her services.
After the war she worked as a dispenser in the RVH until 1920 when she returned to Launceston.
She retired in 1940. She died aged 77 at her home at Cypress Well, Ridgegrove Hill, on 28/12/1952.
Shared on our Facebook Page
Private Rowland E Williams
Service No 201710
Gloucestershire Regiment
He was the son of Mrs Williams of 24 Sladebrook Avenue, Bath.
Pre-enlistment, he had been employed as a grocery assistant at the Combe Down branch of the
Twerton Cooperative Society. He had two brothers and two sisters.
He joined the Army when he was 17 years 6 months old and was now 23.
On 28/09/1917, he had been seriously wounded in action.
He died in Netley Hospital in late December 1920 and his body was removed to Twerton Cemetery
on Thursday 30/12/1920 for burial which took place last Saturday, 01/01/1921.
Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette 07/01/1921
Private Horace Tibbens
Service No 5718885,
2nd Battalion Dorset Regiment.
He died at Netley Hospital on 02/03/1921.
Ancestry Registers of Soldiers'Effects
Corporal Herbert Valentine Barker
Service No H/19744; 538373 of 20th Hussars
He died at Netley Hospital on 06/04/1921 and was buried on 12/04/1921 at Tooting.
Ancestry Register of Soldiers' Effects
Corporal S Stevens
Service No 0879, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, No 2 Section
He is the son of Alfred J Stevens of 1, Portland Place, Radwell, Plymouth.
He died at Netley on 22/04/1921 and is buried in Netley Military Cemetery, Grave Ref CE2047
Casualty Search for Netley Military Cemetery on www.cwgc.org.uk
If reading about the happenings and events at the Royal Victoria Hospitals has got you thinking about
whether any of your relatives were at Netley, why not get in contact with me and I'll check our
Netley Military Hospital Names database and let you know. Just click Contact Me.
Or, if you have already researched your ancestor's connection with Netley Hospital,
why not drop me a line to share it on Shared Hospital Stories on this website?
Did you know you can now leave feedback on my website? Find how on Contact Me on the left
Under the watchful eye of Sir Warren Crooke-Lawless, Officer Commanding of the British Red Cross Hospital in 1916, the Handicrafts produced by the patients at Netley went on sale.
The tradition continued annually.
Private W Bellows
Service No 4897
Royal Army Service Corps
120th Company Labour Corps
He died at Netley Hospital on 09/07/1921 and is buried in Netley Military Cemetery,
Grave Ref CE 2056.
War Graves of the British Empire
Private W F Bower
Service No 267980, Royal Air Force
He is the husband of Clara Bower, 48 Sutherland St, Pimlico, London.
He died on 21/07/1921, age 48, and is buried at Netley Military Cemetery, Grave Ref RC 945.
Pioneer G Challice
Service No WR/329526, Royal Engineers, Inland Waterways + Docks
He died at Netley Hospital on 3/07/1921 and is buried at Netley Military Cemetery, Grave Ref RC 946
Both - War Graves of the British Empire
Ministry of Pensions takes over the Welsh Hospital at Netley
Private Percy C Ancell
Service No 5563405 Wiltshire Regiment
He died at Netley Hospital on 18/05/1922
Sapper Gordon Edward Champion
Service No 1853794 Royal Engineers
He died at Netley Hospital on 26/05/1922
Both - Ancestry Register of Soldiers' Effects
If you think that your relative may have been at the Royal Victoria Hospital at Netley,
why not drop me a line using Contact Me?
I can check our Netley Military Hospital Names' database and let you know.
I am also happy to check the military websites to see if I can find any Army documents etc.
My searches are free of charge whether I find a connection to Netley Hospital or not.
All you pay is a minimum £10 donation to Alzheimer's Research UK if you wish
copies of any documents or if you are happy to donate simply because I've helped you.
Major Colin Clarke DSO
Royal Army Medical Corps
He officiated at the Annual Sports Day at Netley Hospital in July 1922
He was the son of the late Mr Walpole Clarke of the Bank of England.
He joined the RAMC before the Great War.
He was Acting-surgical specialist to the Malta Command as a Lieutenant when war was declared.
He was promoted to Lt-Colonel while commanding two field ambulances in France.
Post the Great War, he was at Netley Hospital.
On retirement from the RAMC, his family emigrated to New Zealand to let his sons take up farming.
He died on 26/12/1935 at Kaitaia.
Hampshire Advertiser 15/07/1922; Auckland Star Volume LXVl Issue 309 31/12/1935
Hospital Kitchen Accident!
G Miles serving in the RAMC and working in the hospital kitchen unfortunately, whilst using the electrical cutting machine, cut off three of his fingers.
Portsmouth Evening News 13/09/1922
Civilians at the Hospital
As the majority of the RAMC men who were stationed here have been sent to Crookham, work has been given at the Royal Victoria Hospital to about 50 civilians.
Portsmouth Evening News 27/09/1922
BANDMASTER'S DEATH
The death occurred at Netley Hospital, on Saturday, of Mr W Brown , of 29, Durham Street,
Porton, at the age of 47.
The deceased was a prominent member of the Gosport branch of the British Legion,
and had been its popular Bandmaster since its inception.
A time-serving soldier, he was on pension when war broke out, but rejoined, and saw service in France
with the 14th Hants (Portsmouth Battalion).
He was wounded, and was eventually invalided out with the rank of sergeant.
Subsequently he obtained employment in Priddy's Hard.
A widow and seven children are left.
Hampshire Telegraph 27/10/1922
Private I Richmond
Service No 6972396 Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
He died at Netley Hospital on 22/11/1922.
Ancestry Register of Soldiers' Effects
In May 1921, Ireland was partitioned under British law by the Government of Ireland Act, which created Northern Ireland.
Both sides agreed to a truce on 11 July 1921. The post-ceasefire talks led to the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty on 6 December 1921.
This ended British rule in most of Ireland and, after a ten-month transitional period overseen by a provisional government, the Irish Free State was created as a self-governing Dominion on
6 December 1922.
Northern Ireland remained within the United Kingdom.
www.wikipedia.org.uk
Sir Richard Havelock Charles attended the Army Medical School, Netley in 1882 as a Medical Student with the Indian Medical Service. On the successful completion of the course of instruction, he was awarded the Herbert Prize, the Montefiore Prize and the Parkes Medal.
In the 1923 New Year Honours' List, he was honoured with the title, Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India. He is currently the Medical Adviser to the Secretary of State for India.
Ballymena Weekly Telegraph 06/01/1923
Private Edward Garner
Service No 4188089
Royal Welch Fusiliers
He passed away at Netley Hospital on 27/01/1923.
Ancestry Register of Soldiers' Effects
Private Victor Francis Green
Service No 4026425
Shropshire Light Infantry
He died at Netley Hospital on 26/06/1923.
Ancestry Register of Soldiers' Effects
Harvest Festival
Harvest Festival Services were held in the Garrison Chapel, Royal Victoria Hospital.
Rev Farren was Chaplain and assisted by Rev L G Mead.
Hampshire Advertiser, 20/10/1923
On Sunday last, the Chaplain-General of the Army paid a visit to the Garrison Church, R V Hospital, Netley to dedicate new choir stalls and lectern and to unveil a tablet in memory of the late Mrs Williams who for 35 years was Organist in the Church.
The choir stalls are of Japanese Oak, beautifully decorated and the lectern is of solid brass, upper representing an eagle.
Hampshire Advertiser 10/11/1923
On Wednesday, the interment took place of Private William James Checksfield, aged 25 years who enlisted in the Buffs in 1915 and was twice wounded during the war.
He was demobilised in 1919 and re-enlisted for another four years.
He was sent abroad but invalided home in October and passed away in Netley Hospital, Southampton
on the 27/12/1923.
Kent + Sussex Courier 04/01/1924
The Queenstown Shooting
The eight victims, all badly wounded, of the Queenstown shooting were transferred at Cork
to the ship "Moorfowl" for the journey to Fishguard.
At Fishguard, they were carried on stretchers to the rail hospital coaches on the
Irish Express which left for Paddington at five o'clock for the onward journey to Netley Hospital.
Portsmouth Evening News 27/03/1924; Scotsman 28/03/1924
"About an hour after the first shooting, Captain Neville of the Royal Garrison Artillery landed at Queenstown from Spike Island to see that all the wounded had been gathered in.
He had an armed party with him and as they proceeded along the pier, three or four shots were fired
from the direction of a lock-up coffee stall.
Captain Neville fell, wounded, struck by two bullets in the thigh.
One of his party opened fire in the direction of the shots and a search was then made
but no trace of the culprits was found.
The Red Cross ambulance coaches were staffed with nurses and RAMC men under the direction of
Major J H Grogan of the Royal Army Medical Corps.
Three of the victims had received eight or nine wounds; one had lost an arm; another his right foot
and a most pathetic case was that of Gunner Mellor, Royal Garrison Artillery who has had his left leg amputated but is not yet aware of the fact."
Western Mail 28/03/1924
Gunner Knight of the Royal Garrison Artillery was one of the eight casualties admitted to Netley Hospital following the shooting incident at Queenstown, Co Cork.
He was reported as very seriously ill.
Freeman's Journal, 16/04/1924
Colonel W R Blackwell, RAMC is the Officer Commanding at the Royal Victoria Hospital Netley
when the annual Sports Day took place on Wednesday, 2 July 1924.
Hampshire Telegraph 11/07/1924
Major Frederick Arthur Flint
Late of Leinster Regiment and the Ugandan Police
He died suddenly at Netley Hospital on 19/10/1924. He is buried in Southampton Cemetery.
He is the son of Charles Littledale Flint of Dublin
The Times 24/10/1924
Major-General Sir Hayward Whitehead, KCB
Assistant-Professor of Military Surgery at Netley Hospital
From 1891 to 1896
He served in the Tirah Expedition of 1897 - 1898 being present at the action of Dargai.
During the war, he was sent to Malta as Director of Medical Services.
In 1916 he was appointed to the British Salonika Force.
He held French, Serbian and Greek decorations and was a Knight of Grace of St John of Jerusalem.
He retired in 1922.
He died, aged 70, at Lynhurst on Monday 28/09/1925
Northern Whig 30/09/1925
Sir William Boog Leishman KCB KCMG FRS
He was a native of Glasgow, born on 06/11/1865
He joined the RAMC at Netley Hospital in 1897 as a Pathologist on his return from India.
In 1900 he discovered a method of staining blood for malaria and other parasites.
This became known as "Leishman's Stain".
He continued to have a most distinguished career and it was due to his work and research that
enteric fever amongst the troops had been practically eliminated.
He passed away on 02/06/1926, aged 60, in London and is buried in Highgate Cemetery.
Hampshire Telegraph 11/06/1926
Why not visit Shared Hospital Stories to read more about the Royal Victoria Military Hospital's
Staff and its Patients?
If you have a relative's story which you are happy to share, then please get in touch with me
by clicking Contact Me
Hot off the Press! Great News!
Mike Lillington has contacted me to advise that photo below was taken ca 1925 - 26.
He had spotted his Grandfather - Wilfred Waller - "second row from the back by the centre of the doors"
- who was at the time stationed at the Hospital with the Royal Engineers.
Even better, Mike kindly gave me permission to add his Grand-Dad's story and photos
Private Thomas Barker
Service No 5490203, 1st Battalion Hampshire Regiment
He passed away at Netley Hospital on 19/10/1926 after a long and painful illness, aged 23.
Portsmouth Evening News 23/10/1926
Private? Oliver Danks,
Service No 5101750, Royal Warwickshire Regiment
He died at Netley Hospital on 20/11/1926.
Fold3 Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects
Corporal L Fox, RAMC, is serving at Netley Hospital when he marries Miss Mabel Dicker, the only daughter of Mr + Mrs George Dicker, 8 Grange Road, Netley Abbey on Monday 06/12/1926 at the Roman Catholic Church, Woolston.
Hampshire Telegraph 10/12/1926
Miss Joan Vera Goreham was christened in the Garrison Chapel on 16/01/1927. Her parents were William Alfred and Daisy Kate Goreham.
She married Ronald Robert Poulter on 26/07/1956.
MyHeritage.com
Captain George William Sellex, RAMC, is living in 1927 at "Simla", 75 Station Road, Netley Abbey,
whilst serving at Netley Hospital. He holds the Military Cross.
Kelly's Hampshire and Isle of Wight Directory 1927
"Simla" is sadly no longer with us; there's a photo of its replacement on Gone but not forgotten.
If you have a photo of "Simla", please may I have a copy to share?
Private Frederick George Ayling
Service No 6136541
East Surrey Regiment
He passed away at Netley Hospital on 03/04/1927.
Sergeant Arthur Thomas Baal
Service No 6838339
King's Royal Rifle Corps.
He passed away at Netley Hospital on 13/04/1927
Both - Ancestry Register of Soldiers' Effects
Private Harold Joyce
Service No 4117494
1st Battalion Cheshire Regiment
He died at Netley Hospital on 15/08/1927
Ancestry Registers of Soldiers' Effects
Brown bread or white?
Private Benjamin Miller
Service No 4963275
Sherwood Foresters
He passed away at Netley Hospital on 06/11/1927
Ancestry Register of Soldiers' Effects
Private Charles Fox
Service No 4183485, Royal Welch Fusiliers
He died at Netley Hospital on 07/12/1927
Ancestry Register of Soldiers' Effects
The Welshman who designed Army Hospitals
Writing from Italy, Major Harley Thomas says:
"My father, the late James Lewis Thomas , FSA, FRGS, had a notable career. He was Chief Surveyor
to the War Office and designed the Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley and the Herbert Hospital, Woolwich.
On the occasion of Queen Victoria laying the foundation-stone of the Netley Hospital, my
father exhibited his drawing to Her Majesty and was presented to her by Lord Panmure.
The appointment of deputy-surveyor was made for him on the termination of the Crimean War and
he was the first and last to hold it, the office being abolished in 1880.
He served for 46 years in the service of the Crown."
Western Mail 01/03/1928
Battery QMS Lewis James A Pring
Service No 1403380
Royal Field Artillery
He died at Netley Hospital on 14/03/1928.
His wife's name was Mabel Kate Pring
Fold3 Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects
Private Owen McKay
Service no 3048701, Royal Scots Lothian Regiment
His Army Pension Records state that he had an "Alias" - Private Alexander Weir.
His Father is shown as George McKay and he has 4 brothers - Arthur, William, Alfred and George;
and 3 sisters - Mary, Margaret and Catherine.
They were all given equal shares of his Pension
He passed away at Netley Hospital on 06/06/1928.
Ancestry Register of Soldiers' Effects
Major J W C Stubbs, RAMC, is stationed at Netley Hospital in September 1928 as Registrar.
He was either still there in 1933 or had returned there as we know he officiated at a performance by
the Netley Orchestra in the Garrison Theatre
Kelly's Directory 1928 - 1929; Hampshire Telegraph 08/09/1933
Colonel Jack Powell , DSO, RAMC, was appointed Officer Commanding at Netley Hospital in 1927.
He lived at "Netley Cliff".
Why not pop over to Gone but not forgotten to read more about Netley Cliff (House)?
Miss Caroline H Keer was the daughter of an English officer and was trained at the
City Hospital Massachusetts.
She joined the Army Nursing Service at Netley Hospital in 1887 and stayed a year there and was
then sent out to Egypt.
After 5 years in the East she returned to a military hospital in Dover remaining there
until the outbreak of the Boer War in 1899.
She died in a local nursing home at Worthing on Saturday 29/12/1928, aged 71.
Western Morning News + Worthing Gazette, both on 02/01/1929
Lance-Sergeant Frederick Wagstaff
Service No 1413777, Royal Artillery
He died at Netley Hospital on 07/02/1929.
Fold3 Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects
CQM Sergeant Frederick George Berry Smith
Service No 6837195, King's Royal Rifle Corps
He passed away at Netley Hospital on 18/02/1929.
He was the husband of Kathleen Mary Smith, Winchester and only son of Mr + Mrs Smith,
24 Clarendon Road, Dover. He was 39 years old.
He is buried in Netley Military Cemetery.
Fold3 Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects; Dover Express 22/02/1929
Sergeant-Major George White
Royal Army Ordnance Corps
He was based at Hilsea Barracks with 26 years of honourable service at home stations, in India and the West Coast of Africa.
He took ill on 22/12/1929 and was transferred to Netley where he died on Tuesday 31/12/1929, aged 40.
The funeral took place at the Military Cemetery, Netley with full military honours. The RAOC Band attended along with 76 Officers from Hilsea Barracks.
Portsmouth Evening News 04/01/1930
Red Cross "At Home"
Sir Warren Crooke-Lawless was At Home on Saturday in London at the Hotel Victoria, Northumberland Avenue to meet VAD members who served in the Red Cross Hospital, Netley during the War.
About seventy VAD members from all parts of the country were present; also members of the medical and surgical staff, matrons, nursing sisters and friends of the old Hospital.
Portsmouth Evening News 24/11/1930
Major George D Melville, OBE, MC
He has been appointed to succeed Major A G Lyttleton, DSO, as Officer Commanding the Depot at Cardiff
of the Welch Regiment. However, currently he is ill and being treated at Netley Hospital.
Western Mail 29/06/1931
Private T W Whittaker
"He was drafted to Netley Hospital sometime in 1931 to take up the position of a Medical Orderly.
He stayed on until just before the start of World War 2."
His daughter, Joan Rogers, contacted me via this website on 17/10/2019 to share this info about her Dad.
Thank you!
Mr George Baker
Late of Army Medical Corps
Served 30 years at the Officers' Mess, Netley Hospital
The death of Mr. George Baker of 26, Denzil Avenue. Netley Abbey, took place early last week.
He was one of the few veterans of the Zulu War, and possessed the Zulu Medal and Clasp.
In 1878, he joined the old Army Medical Corps in which be served at Colchester and Aldershot
before embarking for South Africa.
He also served in the Egyptian Campaign. and was stationed at Cairo for some time.
He possessed the Egyptian Medal and Bar, the Khedive's Star, as well as the
Long Service and Good Conduct Medals.
Mr. Baker was one of the five soldiers chosen to act as bodyguard when the late
Queen Victoria visited Netley Hospital.
The funeral took place on Friday last at St. Mary's Hound Churchyard, the Rev. W. Henty Summers conducting the service. The coffin was carried by members of the Medical Corps.
Sergeant Mundin and Sergeant-Major Prince were present to represent the Royal Victoria Hospital.
Hampshire Telegraph 06/05/1932
Second Lt Michael John Woolcombe, RAMC, was stationed at Netley Hospital in September 1932.
He was one of six young Army Officers who for a joke held up motorists at lonely cross-roads.
They arrived at a lonely spot in two cars and proceeded to hold up the public.
One of the officers was held across the highway by his arms and legs and another stood waving a handkerchief.
They were each fined £2 and ordered to pay £8 12 3d costs at Salisbury on Tuesday, 13/09/1932
for obstructing the highway. There was no suggestion of felonious intent on the part of the defendants.
The police found a case of beer bottles in one of the officers’ cars and all were empty but one.
Shepton Mallet Journal 16/09/1932
Please let me know if you can date the photo below? Thanks.
Miss Jessie Lennox
Nursing Sister, Army Nursing Services
She was a personal friend of both David Livingstone and Florence Nightingale.
She first went to Africa as a missionary in 1858.
She was one of the first six Army sisters appointed by the War Office
to the Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley.
She was for 18 years the Matron of the Sick Children’s Hospital in Belfast and after her retirement,
she was Honorary Matron for 10 years of the Epileptic Colony at Bridge of Weir.
When the Scottish War Memorial was opened in Edinburgh in 1927, (Miss) Lennox was an honoured guest,
wearing a nursing uniform similar to the first issued to the British Army.
The King and Queen and the Prince of Wales shook hands with the veteran nurse on that occasion.
She died in Edinburgh aged 102.
Staffordshire Sentinel 09/01/1933
Dr Norman Elliot Aldridge was the Radiographer at Netley Hospital during the Great War.
He was one of the earliest of his profession to study and take up the practice of Radiography.
He died in June 1933, age 71.
The Times 17/06/1933
Private Arthur Thomas Millard
Royal Corps of Signals
He died at Netley Hospital on 23/07/1933, aged 17.
He was stationed at Catterick, Yorkshire and was on leave at Portsmouth staying with his grandmother, Mrs Majorie Sutherland at Connaught Road, North End where he was taken ill and removed to hospital.
He died the day following admission.
Major Edward B Marsh, specialist in medicine at Netley stated he had formed no opinion as to cause of
death and certain organs were sent away for analysis.
His Grandmother told the Inquest that her grandson had complained of feeling ill and drowsy
and almost lost his speech while in bed.
His mother and grandmother had eaten the same food but analysis of his organs showed
a minute quantity of arsenic in the stomach (which was not unusual).
Cause of death was acute enteritis caused by some bacterial organism not isolated.
A Verdict of “Natural causes in accordance with the medical evidence” was returned.
Hampshire Telegraph 11/08/1933
Flying Officer John Charles Peacock,
Royal Air Force
He died at Netley Hospital on 18/10/1933.
He was the pilot of a flying-boat which nose-dived into Southampton Water on 17/10/1933.
He was the son of the Rev C H Peacock of Stamford, Lincolnshire and was unmarried.
Wing-Commander Studd who had minor injuries left Calshot for his home at Exeleigh, Starcross, Devon.
Leading Aircraftsman H G T Foley was killed when the flying boat crashed.
Western Mail 19/10/1933
Major William McElres Snodgrass, MC,
Royal Army Medical Corps, Otologist
He died on 01/02/1934
"The Altar Rails in the Royal Chapel at Netley Hospital were erected to his memory.
The Memorial rails are made of Wainscoat Oak with rail and base moulded; these are filled in with Gothic tracery and cuspings between framed uprights.
A filled-in panel is on each side, one of which bears the bronze inscription plate surmounted by the cap badge of the deceased officer."
Extracted from Rev E H Pillifant's "History of the Royal Victoria Hospital Netley and the Chapel 1856 - 1934"
Reginald A King
Army Educational Department
He only returned on Monday from Egypt where he had been stationed and has since died at Netley Hospital.
He leaves a widow. His home address is given as St Dogmaels, 41 Suffolk Place, Porthcawl, South Wales.
Western Mail 09/02/1934
" Quartermaster Sergeant Bass passed away at the Royal Victoria Hospital Netley last week after
a short illness at the early age of 42. Great sympathy has been extended to his wife and daughter.
He will be greatly missed by the Netley Angling Club."
Hampshire Telegraph + Post 04/04/1934
Major Kenneth Black,
Royal Army Medical Corps
His war service was extended from April 1916 to November 1919.
On demobilisation, he was granted the rank of Major.
He became the Ministry of Pensions Surgeon at the Welsh Hospital, Netley from 1920 to 1921,
after which he joined the Colonial Medical Service in Singapore.
Nottingham Journal 21/09/1934
Private Sydney Hardie
Royal Tank Corps
He died at the Royal Victoria Military Hospital on Friday from appendicitis.
His funeral was attended with military honours in Aberdeen yesterday.
He was 22 years old.
Aberdeen Press and Journal 07/08/1935
Gunner John Laker
44th Field Battery, Royal Artillery, Woolwich
He had just helped to build a temporary canvas bathing pool by stretching canvas over a three foot hole at the Camp of St Clair's Farm, Droxford when he attempted to dive into it.
The pool was used only for washing after parade.
He was lifted out of the pool with a fractured spine and other injuries
and was transferred to Netley Hospital where he died on Thursday night 22/08/1935.
The Inquest was held at the Royal Victoria Hospital Netley.
A Verdict of "Misadventure" was returned.
A Notice has since been erected prohibiting diving.
Belfast Telegraph + Sheffield Independent both of 24/08/1935
I have a copy of a hand-written letter by an RAMC man at Netley Hospital in 1935 whose own name I can't decipher. He comments on various "sporting" RAMC members of staff -
Jack Campbell - "a football player with a lethal left foot who had been on the books of Aberdeen prior to joining the RAMC"
Sergeant Edward Coombs - "he achieved international amateur status [in football]".
Ted Gray - "an athlete of repute who represented Hampshire in the 440 yards, 880 yards + 1-mile events."
'Twink' Townsend - "he had a lethal right foot; an excellent winger in the Stan Matthews' mould."
Tommy Tarr - "a classy goalkeeper".
Tommy Dorothy - "an amateur boxer with a lot of talent. He married a local lady."
I have recently been talking to Mrs Joan Woods who is the daughter of Tommy Dorothy above.
She has given me lots of photos and info on her Dad and Tommy Tarr who was her Uncle.
Find Joan's Emerson family story on Shared Hospital Stories D - H.
Lance-Corporal E Winson
Service No 4742411
1st Battalion Yorks + Lancasters
He died at Netley Hospital on 07/12/1935, age 25.
He is buried in Netley Military Cemetery, Grave Ref CE2165.
Netley Military Cemetery Burial Register
The sad Passing of Mr E G Boucher
The death took place at the end of last week of Mr E G Boucher who passed away at the age of 72 years, after an operation at the Royal South Hants and Southampton Hospital.
His home was at 1 Woodland Terrace, New Road, Netley Abbey.
Mr Boucher was well known in Netley, being an old and respected resident.
He acted as a Policeman at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley Entrance Gates
where he did duty for many years.
Previous to that, he served in the Army, being in the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry
and saw service in the South African War.
The funeral took place at St Mary’s Hound Churchyard on Monday.
The Committee of the Central Club, Netley stood in silence at their next meeting
as a token of their respect for Mr Boucher who had been a life member of the Club.
Hampshire Telegraph + Post, 28/02/1936
Private W Wilson
Service No 4031672
King's Shropshire Light Infantry
He died at Netley Hospital on 16/04/1936 and was buried in Netley Military Cemetery on 20/04/1936, Grave Ref CE2170
Netley Military Cemetery Burial Register
"CAUGHT!"
Donald Windsor Smalley, a soldier from Netley Hospital was charged at Eastleigh Sessions with stealing a 10ft boat at Netley.
He pleaded guilty and was fined 20s. He had sold the boat on for the sum of 12s 6d and was ordered to repay that sum.
The Army Authorities took responsibility of ensuring the monies were paid.
Hampshire Telegraph 21/08/1936
Squadron-Leader Reginald M Davy
of the Royal Air Force, stationed at Lee-on-Solent,
was found in a desolate part of the New Forest, near Beaulieu yesterday, suffering from
severe head injuries. He was found by a man who heard groans and the assistance of a motorist was obtained to take the injured pilot to a Beaulieu hotel.
Later, the ambulance was called from the RAF Station at Calshot and Davy was taken to Netley Hospital.
It was later learned that Squadron-Leader Davy had left Lee-on-Solent in a single-seater bomber.
After a protracted search, the plane was found wrecked in the reeds near Keepings Marsh,
some considerable distance from where the pilot was found.
He had, semi-conscious, apparently been wandering in search of help.
No-one appears to have seen or heard the crash due to a dense fog over the river.
Belfast News-Letter 1012/1936
Lt-Colonel Sir David Semple, MD, Surgeon
Army Medical Department
1883 - 1897
In 1883, he is mentioned in a list of Surgeons on Probation who were successful at
both the London and Netley Examinations.
He made many scientific discoveries which have contributed to mitigation or prevention of human suffering.
He wrote extensively in medical and scientific journals on subjects connected with
bacteriology, immunity vaccines, therapy, rabies and other diseases.
As Surgeon-Major Semple, Assistant Professor of Pathology at the Army Medical School, Netley,
he went to Maidstone to show the inhabitants the method of vaccination against typhoid fever
which has been worked out at Netley Hospital by Professor Wright and himself.
He died in 1937 with the rank and title of Lt-Colonel Sir David Semple,
an eminent bacteriologist and founder and first director of the Pasteur Institute, India.
Larne Times 16/01/1937
The Amateur Dramatic Society "Galliards" are currently making arrangements to present the
play "The Ghost Train" at Netley Hospital in the near future.
Hampshire Telegraph 22/01/1937
Colonel Gerald Fitzgerald Rudkin, DSO
Royal Field Artillery
Commanding Officer at the Royal Victoria Military Hospital
1935 - 1937
He was born on 09/11/1880 at East Teignmouth, Devon.
He qualified as a Doctor at a hospital in London in 1905.
He enlisted in the Royal Field Artillery as a Lieutenant in 1907; in 1910 he was promoted to Captain;
on June 1916, whilst a Temporary Major, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order.
In August 1916, he became Acting Lt-Colonel; in 1919 a Major.
By 1931 he had been appointed a Lt-Colonel, followed in 1935 Colonel. He retired in 1937.
He died at Aldershot Military Hospital on 09/04/1966.
www.warrelics.eu
Sergeant John Joseph Dawson
Service No 1862252, Royal Engineers
He was based at the Ordnance Survey Offices in Southampton but attended Netley Hospital
sometime between 1936 and 1937
Read more of his story on Shared Hospital Stories D - H
RAF Flying Boat crashes into the sea near Calshot
Of the crew of five, two are missing believed to have sunk with the machine; two are rescued and one dies.
Band Boy Dolton
Royal Artillery Portsmouth Band
He was born on 16/05/1916 and came from Mountain Ash, Mid Glamorgan.
He hit his leg whilst unloading instruments and the wound in his marrow became diseased; he almost died.
He arrived at Netley in 1937 and stayed there or about 2 years.
At 22 years of age, he was discharged from the Army and got a job in the Artillery Barracks at Woolwich.
Heritage Group's Patients List via Julie
Rifleman E Halcrow
Service No 4270240
Northumberland Fusiliers
He died at Netley Hospital on 06/09/1937, aged 20.
He is buried at Netley Military Cemetery, Grave Ref CE2179
Netley Military Cemetery Register
Matron Ruddock's Car is taken without her consent!
Major William Nicol Archibald
Royal Army Medical Corps
At Netley Hospital 1912 - 1925
He was first posted to Netley Hospital from Colchester in March 1912.
Between 1916 - 1920, he is living at "Dunwreath", Station Road Netley Abbey
(although he is absent in 1920).
In 1925, he and his wife, Helen moved to "Lynton", Station Road, Netley Abbey
where he passed away on 18/10/1937, aged 73. (Helen lived there until 1940).
Army + Navy Gazette 30/03/1912; Absent Voters' List 1920; Street Directories; Hampshire Telegraph 22/10/1937
Visit Who lived in your House to read more about "Lynton"
Mr Ronald J Coleman
He was the eldest son of the late Mr John Clark Coleman.
He enlisted with the Royal Artillery when he was 17 years old and served in France throughout
the Great War. He was severely gassed.
After the War he went to India where he had since served at Allahabad, Quetta and Simla with
the Army Ordnance Department under the India Office.
On 2 November 1937, Mr Coleman arrived in England on special sick-leave and shortly afterwards,
entered Netley Hospital where his death occurred on Wednesday last week from pneumonia.
He was 45 years of age. He leaves a widow and three sons.
The funeral took place on Friday at Trowbridge Cemetery.
Owing to the holiday, it was not possible to arrange a military ceremony.
Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser 01/01/1938
Private K Lyes
Service No 5183125
Gloucester Regiment
He died at Netley Hospital on 19/04/1938, age 20.
He is buried in Netley Military Cemetery, Grave Ref 2181.
Netley Military Cemetery Burial Register
Mr James Newman
Boilerman at Netley Hospital
He had been employed at the Hospital for 4 years and a Fitter for 18 years.
He lived in Woolston Road, Butlocks Heath, Netley Abbey.
Whilst he was engaged in removing a manhole cover from a steam pipe boiler, it exploded
and he was very badly scalded. He died in Netley Hospital, age 61 years of age.
His funeral took place at St Mary's Churchyard, Hound on 20/05/1938.
He leaves a widow, two sons and two daughters.
Hampshire Telegraph 20/05/1938 and 27/05/1938
Mr John White Reeves
Voluntary Aid Detachment - Sussex 5 Branch
Orderly at the British Red Cross Hospital Netley
Started on 09/12/1915 and was still serving on 05/06/1919
He lived at "Style Cottage", Lewis Road, Lindford, Haywards Heath.
He was 41 years old when he joined the VAD
He died at Cuckfield Infirmary, West Sussex on 22/07/1938, aged 64.
He was a member of the Lindfield and Scaynes Hill branch of the British legion.
He leaves a widow and son.
www.vad.redcross.org.uk; West Sussex Times 24/07/1938
Mr Charles Berridge
He lived at Myrtle Cottage, New Road, Netley Abbey
He was the Shoemaker at Netley Hospital for a number of years.
He died in early August 1938 following a short illness.
He is buried in St Mary's Churchyard, Hound.
Hampshire Telegraph 05/08/1938
Trooper P W T Webber
Service No 320154
9th Battalion Queen's Royal Lancers
He died at Netley Hospital on 22/08/1938, aged 19.
He was buried at Netley Military Cemetery, Grave Red 2184, on 26/08/1938
Netley Military Cemetery Burial Register
Private Leonard Stanbridge
aka Saints' First Team Goalkeeper 1936 - 1938
Royal Army Medical Corps
At Netley Hospital in 1938
He was a pupil at Regents Park School and a player with Bitterne Boys but
joined Southampton "Saints" as a professional in 1936.
He had developed into a reliable reserve goalkeeper and made his first league appearance
in the last game of the 1937 - 1938 season - when he let in 4 goals at Plymouth - oops!
He had a further 8 outings the following year before the war began and he joined the RAMC.
Extracted partly from Les Haines' Oral History Transcript of 03/10/1985 and an old undated newspaper article I found in my bumph
Ernest L Kenneth Barwise
Royal Army Medical Corps
He was serving at Netley Hospital in 1938. He appeared at Eastleigh Police Court charged with running away and leaving his wife destitute who lived in Station Road, Netley Abbey
Hampshire Telegraph 07/10/1938
And so, another chapter in the history of the Royal Victoria Military Hospital at Netley draws to a close.
One of the many folk who were interviewed back in the 1980s, was Mrs Maclean.
She shared lots of her memories and views of what life was like during the inter-war years
at Netley Hospital.
It seems fitting to repeat some of them here - in no particular order ...
"We used to collect soldiers' washing if the Hospital Laundry was closed; we got paid a shilling a bundle. We'd collect it from the Barracks' Room in a sack.
I was a Housemaid to a Major; he had a Cook and a Housekeeper too. I cleaned the family's shoes. I worked eight till five and many times, I went back there at night to wash up after their dinner.
One of the big empty wards was used as a dancing room; nice polished floor and a nice RAMC band.
The choir used to go round the wards every Sunday night, singing, asking the patients what hymns they wanted.
Mr Ross was the Choir-master and his wife played the organ. Their sons were in the choir.
The cinema was also the theatre. They used to have live shows and the cinema on Friday nights;
I saw some good films there.
Sports Day? Oh, that was gorgeous, that was lovely.
Nobody would ever miss that and it always seemed to be a nice day for the sports day.
You know where the cricket pitch is? That used to be all roped round and it used to be absolutely packed.
They used to have a tip to the bucket and egg and spoon race and the sack race and
it used to be ever so good."
If you have any memories or photos you would be happy to share about the Royal Victoria Military Hospital, please use Contact Me on the Menu on the left. Thank you.
