MM + Bar Presentation Tyneside Irish N. F.

[old-ted]

Hello to Forum Pals.

The two scans below show a group of soldier patients at Seaham Hall Hospital following the presentation of the Military Medal & Bar to MM to Sergeant George Barrow of Dawdon Seaham. The hand written page reads; 26th April 1918. Presentation by the Dowager Marchoness of Londonderry to Sergt. George Barrow N F of 17 School Street Dawdon.

Military Medal Granted for leadership and coolness and volunteering to take a message back to Head Quarters at Albert 1st July 1916.

Bar to Military Medal Granted for bravery and coolness and acting as second in command of his company at Ypres 27th October 1917.

The page is signed by those present who were;

T Londonderry Director Seaham Hall Hospital

H H Hereford

K J W Leather. Lt Col.

J W Alexander. Lt. Col.

Luke G Dillon. Major. (M.O. Seaham Hall Hospital)

K E Mosley. Matron.

The question of a Hospital at Seaham Hall was first raised in the early days of the war by the 6th Marquess of Londonderry. He died in 1915 and was succeded by his son, known as Charlie Londonderry, who became the 7th Marquess. Charlie himself a serving officer was passionate in his determination to have a hospital solely for the care of his own wounded workmen from his mines, engineworks, bottleworks, estates etc. Seaham Hall, one of the Lononderry family homes was chosen for this purpose but, owing to financial constraints and war office directives this could not be the case & the convalescent accommodation was offerred to a much wider population. Servicemen from all over the commonwealth were nursed back to health there. However priority was aways given to the Londonderry men. The hospital was open from 1915 to 1919 and its proud boast was that it did not have any fatalities during this period. We have a data base of the men who convalesced at Seaham Hall. If you have someone who you think may have convalesced there send us his details and we will check for you.

Regards to all.

John & Kathleen

[old-ted]

Here is a close up of George Barrow with his MM. If you would like a closer view of others on the photo let us know

J&K

[old-ted]

We have a James McHugh who also was presented with an MM at Seaham Hall

J&K

[old-ted]

And here is the MM presentation to J McHugh together with the page from the visitors book

J&K

[Guest s hamilton]

Hello, as this is a very old post, perhaps no-one will read this, but James McHugh, above, was my grandfather. I'd be interested on any information available about his time at Seaham Hall

Sarah

[Graham Stewart]

22 hours ago, s hamilton said:

Hello, as this is a very old post, perhaps no-one will read this, but James McHugh, above, was my grandfather. I'd be interested on any information available about his time at Seaham Hall

Sarah

Hi Sarah - Welcome to the Forum and you may be able to access information regarding Seaham Hall Hospital through newpapers of the period via FindmyPast.

[Guest s hamilton]

Ok, thank you.