Cheer Boys It's Hartlebury!: The Story of Hartlebury Voluntary Auxiliary Detachment Hospital in World War I

On August 4, 1914, Britain declared war on Germany, and plans were already in place to take over suitable buildings as hospitals. The first hospital in Hartlebury, at the Woodlands, received its first contingent of wounded soldiers on March 17, 1915. In June 1915, the hospital was moved to Hartlebury Castle, where it was equipped to accommodate 16 wounded soldiers and was classed as Worcester VAD 8. "Cheer Boys It's Hartlebury!" tells the story of the 435 soldiers (and the nurses who looked after them) who left their stories in the autograph books kept by the Commandant, Francis Gibbons, and Nurse Stocks. The book contains over 600 previously unseen photographs, drawings, and poems taken from these books, giving a tremendous insight into the lives led by the soldiers as they convalesced at Hartlebury and reveled in its oasis of peace before being sent back to fight and, in some cases, to die.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 05 October 2018
Publisher: Brewin Books

When Britain declared war on Germany on August 4, 1914, plans were already in place in case the war wasn't over by Christmas, and casualties were such that the provision of hospitals was inadequate. The government and military authorities began identifying suitable buildings to take over as hospitals, and the Red Cross identified those that could be set up as auxiliary hospitals and convalescent homes. The first hospital in Hartlebury was at the Woodlands. It received its first contingent of wounded soldiers from the Southern General Hospital, Birmingham, on March 17, 1915. In June 1915, the hospital was moved to Hartlebury Castle, the home of The Right Reverend Huyshe Wolcott Yeatman-Biggs, Bishop of Worcester, who made a converted stable block available. It was equipped to accommodate 16 wounded soldiers and was classified as Worcester VAD 8.

"Cheer Boys! It's Hartlebury!" tells the story of the 435 soldiers (and the nurses who looked after them) who left their stories in the autograph books kept by the Commandant, Francis Gibbons, and Nurse Stocks (held at the Hive Library, Worcester). It contains over 600 previously unseen photographs, drawings, and poems taken from these books and gives a tremendous insight into the lives led by the soldiers as they convalesced at Hartlebury and revelled in its oasis of peace before, in many cases, being sent back to fight, and in some cases, to die.

The book also includes a detailed account of the hospital's operations, including the medical staff, the facilities, and the treatment of the wounded soldiers. It also sheds light on the social and cultural life of the town, including the local community, the local churches, and the entertainment provided for the soldiers.

Overall, "Cheer Boys! It's Hartlebury!" is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the First World War, the history of medicine, or the social and cultural history of Britain. It provides a unique perspective on the lives of the soldiers who convalesced at Hartlebury and offers a glimpse into the town's history and culture during the war.

Weight: 712g
Dimension: 240 x 180 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781858585703