Davidson Road War Hospital, Croydon, London, England - Nov 27th, 1917

Davidson Road War Hospital, Croydon, London, England - Nov 27th, 1917.The Croydon War Hospital consisted of five divisions, namely the Council School buildings in Davidson Road, Ecclesbourne Road, Ingram Road, Stanford Road and the Boys' and Girls' Secondary Schools in The Crescent, which had been requisitioned by the War Office. The children normally attending these schools were distributed among the other schools and buildings in Croydon..The Hospital, under the Eastern Command, opened on 30th June 1915. It had almost 1,000 beds. The Medical Officer Commanding was Colonel Morris, who was succeeded a year later by Col. H.E. Deane, R.A.M.C. The medical staff consisted of R.A.M.C. doctors, but they were too few and it was arranged that the local General Practitioners would also undertake regular duties at the Hospital..The nursing staff numbered 80, many of whom were members of the local Voluntary Aid Detachments. (However, at one time, the entire nursing staff consisted of nurses from Australia.).The divisions were originally intended to provide treatment for troops in the Eastern Command suffering from nerve, joint or jaw injuries, diseases of the ear, or needing general medical care, and to provide for sick servicemen in the neighbourhood. As the war progressed, ear and nerve cases were transferred to other centres and the accommodation was then used for the reception of wounded and sick servicemen from overseas..Few amenities existed for the men when the Hospital first opened; no books or games existed. A War Hospitals Comforts Fund was established and, in a short space of time, the public had provided five full-sized billiards tables (as well as many not full-sized) and several bagatelle boards..The first and subsequent Christmases were celebrated with turkey dinners, Christmas puddings, cakes, apples, nuts and other provisions..In October 1916 the King and Queen visited the Hospital..Owners of motor cars volunteered to take patients for drives, or allowed their cars to be used for the purpose. Local inhabitants helped on the wards with nursing assistance, while others provided amenities and comforts for the patients. Theatrical and other entertainments were laid on for the patients, organised by a local committee..More reading here: ezitis.myzen.co.uk/croydonwar.html ( http://ezitis.myzen.co.uk/croydonwar.html )