oscarquebec Posted 12 February , 2021 Share Posted 12 February , 2021 I have discovered my wife’s grandmother Ethel Louise Purkis in the WW1 medal Rolls. It appears she served at a Order of St. John Brigade Hospital between November 1916 and October 1917. The theatre of war column just shows 1(a), am I correct in thinking this relates to France and Belgium. Also can anyone help with what a Brigade Hospital was, I assume more than a dressing station. I’m also intrigued that she and others only served about 12 months, was that considered a tour of duty for nurses. Many thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ForeignGong Posted 12 February , 2021 Share Posted 12 February , 2021 Hi Search her full name here as there are two cards for her First World War | British Red Cross Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clk Posted 12 February , 2021 Share Posted 12 February , 2021 Hi oscarquebec, The Long, Long Trail shows: Image sourced from the LLT The hospital has war diaries which are free to download from the National Archives - link. Ethel has a couple of index cards on the British Red Cross website (link) including this one: Image sourced from the British Red Cross Regards Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alf mcm Posted 12 February , 2021 Share Posted 12 February , 2021 Oscarquebec, You may want to get this book, Sisters of the Somme. It is about the St. John Brigade Hospital in France. You will find it very interesting. The index is not very good, so I don't know if your grandmother is mentioned. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sisters-Somme-Penny-Starns/dp/0750961627/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=SISTERS+OF+THE+SOMME&qid=1613140783&s=books&sr=1-1 Regards, Alf McM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ss002d6252 Posted 12 February , 2021 Share Posted 12 February , 2021 Duplicate threads merged. Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oscarquebec Posted 12 February , 2021 Author Share Posted 12 February , 2021 Thank you that is really very helpful opens up a whole new field to explore Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
royalredcross Posted 13 February , 2021 Share Posted 13 February , 2021 The St. John Hospital was funded and maintained by the Order of St. John and staffed mostly by women VAD members of St. John Ambulance. The doctors and Matron were on paid contracts. It was heavily bombed in May 1918 and closed for a while until it moved to Trouville. It was supplied from a warehouse in London which was supported by donations from members of the Order. The book "Sisters of the Somme" is based upon the diary of one of the VADs and is a good account of the day-to-day activities of the hospital. Medals issued to those who served at the Etaples Hospital were named O.St.J. unlike most which were named as V.A.D. Norman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oscarquebec Posted 20 February , 2021 Author Share Posted 20 February , 2021 Thanks I had just found "Sisters of the Somme" so confirmation I'll get it Mal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alf mcm Posted 20 February , 2021 Share Posted 20 February , 2021 You'll find it very interesting. Regards, Alf McM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oscarquebec Posted 20 February , 2021 Author Share Posted 20 February , 2021 Thanks much appreciated Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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