chris basey Posted 7 April , 2004 Share Posted 7 April , 2004 This is the reverse side of a postcard showing a group of wounded men (in blues), nurses and, who looks like the squire, around a Christmas Tree. But where is it? Can anyone associate 'Generals House (?) Hos' and 'Grove House' with a location? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris basey Posted 7 April , 2004 Author Share Posted 7 April , 2004 Looking at the scanned version it looks more like 'Severals' ? Does this tie up with a Military Hospital in Essex? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart Brown Posted 7 April , 2004 Share Posted 7 April , 2004 Servants House ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue Light Posted 7 April , 2004 Share Posted 7 April , 2004 Chris Is it possible to have a look at the other side - the nurses' uniforms might give some clues to the type of hospital. Regards - Sue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart Brown Posted 7 April , 2004 Share Posted 7 April , 2004 I make the surname Baring - Any other suggestions? Stuart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_Baker Posted 7 April , 2004 Share Posted 7 April , 2004 There was a Grove House in Stoke Newington Green, a former asylum. It is not on my list of asylums that were taken over as war hospitals, but it may well be that, I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris basey Posted 7 April , 2004 Author Share Posted 7 April , 2004 Sue They are Red Cross Nurses. Would that indicate a VAD Hospital somewhere? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue Light Posted 7 April , 2004 Share Posted 7 April , 2004 Are they all in the same uniform? Big white 'handkerchief' hats or tied 'VAD style' at the back? Or a mixture? Any different hats - frilly, or bonnets tied under chin? The absence of any 'Army' nurse - i.e. nurse wearing shoulder cape of some colour would point to either Red Cross or privately run hospital/convalescent home. If there are definitely VADs in the picture then it's likely to be Red Cross. And just another thought. It is possible to search the 1881 census by place, [although I haven't got the right software to do it on my copy], and also the 1901 census on-line. I wonder if searching 'General's House' and 'Grove House' might turn up a local match - there must be a lot of 'Grove' houses, but not that many 'General's'. It might be a bit of a slog, and costly on the 1901 - do you love it that much? Sue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatbob Posted 9 April , 2004 Share Posted 9 April , 2004 I think I may have the answer, I'm just waiting for an email. As soon as I know I'll post the info. Fatbob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johng Posted 9 April , 2004 Share Posted 9 April , 2004 Chris, may I suggest you look at Grove House, Harrogate. Try: raobgle.org.uk/grovehousehistory.htm regards, johng Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johng Posted 9 April , 2004 Share Posted 9 April , 2004 A closer look at the text suggests the message is: Post Card of Xmas Tree at General's House Hos. Given by Mr. & Mrs Baring Grove House Boxing Day 1918 The use of capitals on so many words is unusual for an English writer??. johng Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatbob Posted 9 April , 2004 Share Posted 9 April , 2004 I think there is a spelling mistake on the card. I believe it reads "Severals House Hos." I think it should read Severalls House Hos. This is located 2 miles north of Colchester. Heres a link: Severalls I have contacted the email address on the site to enquire about the history of the place. As soon as I hear back, I'll post. Fatbob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris basey Posted 9 April , 2004 Author Share Posted 9 April , 2004 Thanks, it looks a very likely candidate. Shall look forward to seeing what reply you get to your e-mail. Best wishes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatbob Posted 11 April , 2004 Share Posted 11 April , 2004 I have recieved a reply but I'm afraid it only deepens the mystery. Hello Simon. I dont think that severalls was used as a military hospital during WW I, Soldiers where camped out in the grounds, i think that they where from the suffolk regiment. During that time Severalls would have been known as the second Essex county asylum. I hope that this helps you out. all the best. Ian. I suppose to the locals it may have been known as Severalls if this was a longer standing name for the place. Second Essex County Asylum is quite a mouthful! Sorry I couldn't give a definative answer, Fatbob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnreed Posted 9 May , 2004 Share Posted 9 May , 2004 I did some electrical work there in the very early sixties it was known to me and the company that I worked for as Severalls. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilB Posted 9 May , 2004 Share Posted 9 May , 2004 Is/was there a Grove House near Severalls? Phil B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brigantian Posted 11 May , 2004 Share Posted 11 May , 2004 Interestingly, the response to Fatbob’s enquiry reveals the hospital had been an asylum. In January 1915 a national scheme was implemented to convert 15,000 asylum beds for sick and wounded soldiers. The country was divided into areas, each area containing one asylum for conversion into a military war hospital. In many cases additional building work was required to provide operating theatres and x-ray facilities. The change in role would have been accompanied by a change of name. For example the West Riding Asylum in Sheffield became the Wharncliffe War Hospital. Severalls might have been the Essex area asylum converted to military hospital use. The local archives or local studies library might be able to provide more information. Regards Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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