JessicaAnne Posted 31 October , 2006 Share Posted 31 October , 2006 I ran across a blurb about May Bradford serving in France as a hospital letter writer and I'm trying to get a hold of her book to find out more. As I'm waiting to find the book, can anyone tell me some general information about women who served as letter writers, either at home or overseas? I wouldn't guess that there were many of them, as I've not come across more than the odd mention in my reading. Would they all have been VADs, as May Bradford was, or were letter writers found within other women's organizations? Did they have other duties, such as nursing, or did they really only write letters? Thank you for your help! I've been reading the forum for some time, but finally had a question to post! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HERITAGE PLUS Posted 31 October , 2006 Share Posted 31 October , 2006 I'm no expert but possibly some were General Service VADs i.e. non-nursing VADs such as clerks. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
royalredcross Posted 1 November , 2006 Share Posted 1 November , 2006 If they went over to France early enough, I'm not sure they needed to be anything. Margaret Waring, who served in the Anglo-Boer War with the Camp Soldiers Homes as a kind of substitute aunt, letter writer and social worker, went over to France under her own steam and was only taken under the wing of the BRCS much later in the war "because of the ration question". In the tightly controlled base area of the British army, she obviously needed some authority to eat ! She later recenived an MBE as a "devoted hospital worker" in hospitals in Boulogne. Norman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JessicaAnne Posted 4 November , 2006 Author Share Posted 4 November , 2006 Thank you both for the suggestions! This gives me something to go on until I'm able to access that book! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canadawwi Posted 17 November , 2006 Share Posted 17 November , 2006 Here's a transcription of a letter that was written by Constance Scott to the NOK of a soldier who was recovering from his wounds. It seems that quite a bit of letter writing and adminstrative follow up was involved. ************ Mrs. L. Lardie has received the following letter from the Canadian Red Cross Society, which was the first intimation that her son, Wilfred, had been injured in France. "Canadian Red Cross Society, 14-16, Cockspur Street, London, S.W.I. Information Bureau, 31, 3. 17. Dear Madam. -- I beg to inform you that Pte. W. Jarvis, No. 57661, 20th Canadians, who is now at No. 3, V.A.S. Temporary Hospital, Exeter, England, is suffering from right kneecap. He has been visited by our Representative, who reports that he feels and eats well. I am afraid it will be some little time before he can use his leg, as a joint is always rather a difficult place to mend quickly. However it is only a simply fracture, and will be perfectly alright in time. He will be regularly visited by us while in hospital and we will send you reports as to his progress. Should Pte. Jarvis require any extra comforts, such as writing materials, shaving outfit, fruit, cigarettes, home newspapers, etc., they will be sent him from the Parcel's Department in this office. With best wishes for his speedy recovery. Yours very truly, Constance Scott. ************************ More about Pte. Jarvis - here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaureenE Posted 29 October , 2015 Share Posted 29 October , 2015 (edited) The following link is an article about May Bradford and her role as a hospital letter writer http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/world-history/history-of-the-first-world-war-in-100-moments/a-history-of-the-first-world-war-in-100-moments-the-soldier-and-the-letter-writer-a-lady-with-a-9474683.html She was the author of a book published in 1920 A Hospital Letter Writer in France, which unfortunately does not seem to be available online. A description of this book: "The wife of Sir John Rose Bradford, Consulting Physician to the BEF, May Bradford sat by innumerable bedsides in Boulogne and Etaples writing letters to dictation for wounded soldiers. It is clear from her writing that the post of letter-writer (not one that is generally known about) entailed the provision of essential, if amateur, psychology services to the sick and injured" Cheers Maureen Edit: Archived link is https://web.archive.org/web/20220707051753/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/world-history/history-of-the-first-world-war-in-100-moments/a-history-of-the-first-world-war-in-100-moments-the-soldier-and-the-letterwriter-a-lady-with-a-notepad-who-gave-comfort-to-the-dying-9474683.html Edited 18 January , 2023 by MaureenE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barkalotloudly Posted 29 October , 2015 Share Posted 29 October , 2015 i am sure there was a copy on E*** a little while ago, not cheap but very scarce don`t think it sold, i will keep an eye out to see if it is relisted Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Posted 29 October , 2015 Share Posted 29 October , 2015 Nurse Kathleen Jonston of No 4 General Hospital in France wrote lots of letters. I have an abstract of one but its too big to post. Gerry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnboy Posted 29 October , 2015 Share Posted 29 October , 2015 The OP as not been back since 2007 but the topic is still of interest to others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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