MEMBERS of Thorverton History Society enjoyed a talk by Dr Julia Neville entitled “Exeter’s Hospitals in the First World War” at their May meeting.

Julia has researched the hospitals in Exeter during the period 1914 - 1919 as part of the Devon Remembers Heritage Project. She started her talk by reminding us of last year’s “Shrouds of the Somme” project in Northernhay Gardens but despite the huge number of men killed, twice that number were wounded.

One week after the first day of the Somme offensive 200 wounded men arrived in Exeter.

Exeter was on a direct rail line route from Southampton docks so this made it a prime location to receive wounded troops.

Those wounded on the Western Front were initially taken to First Aid Posts or Casualty Clearing Stations. From there they were moved back to hospitals in Northern France before being shipped back to Britain.

The wounded had a 50/50 chance of survival. Once back in Britain ambulance trains would transfer them from Southampton to Queen Street (now Central) station and the entrance for the station then was at the side where there is now a car park.

They would then be transferred by whatever transport was available ranging from lorries, vans or horse and cart.

The Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital continued to treat the civilian population and the Red Cross were expected to provide back up services.

Exeter was well ahead of other provincial Cities in setting up temporary war hospitals. Hospitals were set up at the following locations: the West of England Eye Infirmary, Bishop Blackall School, the workhouse in Heavitree, Topsham barracks, Castle Street, the Bishops Palace, Streatham Hall (now Reed Hall) and Home Hospital in the Southernhay area (this was used for outpatient services). Often accommodation consisted of temporary huts and marquees.

Sadly the hospital records don’t survive. Red Cross records were destroyed and personal records were transferred to individual files, many of which were lost in the Second World War.

We were shown an autograph album which belonged to a nurse where patients had drawn their cap badges.

The injuries and illness suffered by the men were many and varied. They included amputation of limbs, lost eyes, shell and shrapnel wounds, bullet wounds, typhoid and dysentery, shell shock, frost bite, pneumonia and pleurisy.

Treatment would consist of operations, rest, fresh air, splints, vaccines, enemas and electrical therapy.

The wards were kept clean and tidy and every effort was made to create a pleasant atmosphere. Treatment was carried out in the mornings and in the afternoons patients could play skittles or croquet, read the newspapers or books, smoke cigarettes or pipes, eat luxuries such as chocolate and listen to music, often provided at concerts.

Mobile patients were encouraged to go out and walk around the city. They wore special blue uniforms.

At one time the city was so crowded with troops, the wounded and the civilian population that the City Council introduced a one-way keep left pedestrian policy but this only lasted for a short time.

The average time in hospital for a patient was one month and once they were sufficiently recovered they were moved on. Some went back to their base after leave for further service on the front line or other non combat roles.

Some were discharged from the forces as unfit or might be moved elsewhere for further treatment at specialist units or for long-term care. Those who died were given a hero’s funeral and many were buried at Heavitree Higher Cemetery.

There was much local support for the hospitals from the community. There was fundraising and gifts such as tobacco, cigarettes or clothing were given to the hospitals.

At Christmas the wards were decorated, concerts were given and a turkey dinner provided. The hospitals were decommissioned during 1919.

Later this year there will be an exhibition of the war hospitals in St Stephen’s Church, High Street, Exeter during the period Tuesday, September 19 until Saturday, September 23.

You will have the opportunity to see some of the artwork done at the time by nurse Joyce Dennys. She produced many posters for recruitment and training purposes.

Robert Turner