British Military Hospital in World War One: Convalescing Servicemen Outdoors

This WW1 photograph, taken outside the hospital grounds, demonstrates the principle that fresh air is good for health. Here we see approximately 30 wounded and convalescing WW1 servicemen with their nurses. A rare jovial air is reflected by the character in the foreground, reclined upon the lawn in debonair fashion, wearing his sling like a fashion accessory.

Wounded WW1 Servicemen with VAD Nurses outside a Military Hospital

WW1 Military Hospital Photograph

Some of the casualties have been brought outdoors on their beds or wheelchairs, having donned their hospital uniforms for the shot. The fabric would have been Oxford blue with white collar and red tie.

A large number of these servicemen had suffered wounds caused by rifle and machine gunfire, as well as shrapnel from exploding shells. Such injuries required regular cleaning and dressing. Servicemen often had long periods of convalescence.

Voluntary Aid Detachment during WW1

The nurses pictured are VAD (Voluntary Aid Detachment) who, from a war office appeal, had stepped forward to do their bit for their country. Many of the women were from the order of St. John and the Red Cross to serve as nurses at home and in British hospitals. The VAD also served at casualty clearing stations near the front line. After learning basic first aid and how to deal with simple fractures, many VAD nurses also drove ambulances.