Moorgate Military Hospital

   On the ward known as E block of the Workhouse hospital would now be called Moorgate Military Hospital and accommodated 120 wounded soldiers. The ward where placed on the most beautiful side overlooking the attached grounds and was boarded off from the Workhouse. The wards since they were built had served a variety of purposes as well as medical care they had also housed Belgian refugees who arrived in November 1915 before Eastwood House had taken over them. Six Nurses from the V.A.D had arrived from London on a salary of £20 per annum and this would be increased to £22.10s if their contracts were renewed after the end of six months they also were given a Uniform allowance of £4 per annum.

The V.A.D uniforms were dark blue, gowns reaching  almost down to the floor with white cuffs covered with a long pure white apron with two large front pockets. A bright red British Red Cross Society badge stood clearly on the armband on the upper part of the sleeve. Her head would be covered with a smart Sister Dora white cap. When she was out of the hospital her heavy dark blue overcoat would cover the uniform. These nurses would work under the direction of Miss Saville the superintendent nurse. The hospital would run under the medical supervision of Dr. Riddell. Although arrangements were set to receive the soldiers in the few weeks 50 soldiers were sent immediately under the correspondence from Colonel Connell on the 24th October. The military authorities were expected to take over the cost of the hospital ward but there would be no money to provide extra comforts for such a large number of men. Nurse Saville called on the good people of Rotherham for daily papers, books, games, a loan of a billiard table and playing cards. The gifts could be sent to the hospital between the hours of 1.30p.m. and 5 o'clock. The women Guardians called a meeting of the townswomen and enthusiastically formed a committee to fundraise for the soldiers.

By September the following year the Workhouse and Moorgate hospital reported that the work for the nursing staff had become very demanding due to many of the staff going to do military work. The Workhouse hospital had been fully occupied for most of the year. The military hospital from October 1917, until June 1918 had admitted 670, wounded and sick soldiers. Under the doctor's skills and nursing care and with a combination of good cooked food and a few extra luxuries most of the soldiers showed signs of recovery.

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© Neil and Janet Croft 2005