New book documents hospital which cared for injured troops
SPONDON Red Cross Hospital opened its doors on November 22, 1914, and for four years and three months ministered to our wounded soldiers. It was formally closed in March 1919. This is the story of Spondon’s Voluntary Aid Detachment, Number 14, which was formed in 1912 by Dr Thomas Ashby Barron, one of the doctors in the village.
The Commandant was Mary Lewty who lived at 44 Sitwell Street and received an OBE for her services in 1920.
Many of the women in Spondon wanted to ‘do their bit’ as fathers, brothers, husbands, sweethearts or neighbours went off to serve in the First World War. Serving at the Hospital in Spondon village provided that opportunity. It was not just ‘front-line nursing’ required. The village also provided support by fund-raising, as well as many other home-based activities.
This book describes the establishment and running of the hospital, as well as exploring the lives and families of some of those involved.
Derek Hathaway did extensive work on listing as many Spondon residents as he could find who worked and volunteered at the Hospital, these included home workers and cooks.
There is a newspaper story of two women who provided a few patients with beer, which was against the law.
They were brought to court and fined, but you cannot help having some sympathy with their kind, if misguided, actions.
Towards the back of the book, there is an appendix about a photographer called Howard Barrett. He took some familiar photographs of Spondon and later became a well-known society photographer.
Derek died suddenly in September 2020 and so this book was left unfinished, but nearly complete. Ruth Hooper and Anita Hayes picked up where he left off and hope the book meets the high standard Derek looked for in his work.
You can buy the book from shops in Spondon village centre: Spondon News, Housley Pharmacy, Cherry Tree Picture Framers and Simnett Funeral Directors in Sitwell Street, or by contacting: info@ spondonhistory.org.uk
Books cost £3.50 plus postage when appropriate. You can see a list of other books in the series at www.spondon online.co.uk/and spondonhistory.org.uk.