Home > Europe > United Kingdom > England > Kent > Birchington
VAD Hospital stores, Quex House
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Mary Evans Picture Library
VAD Hospital stores, Quex House
The Billiard Room of Quex House was used as the Hospital Stores during the War. Two VAD nurses are seated either side of a table. One is sewing, the other is writing. The Billiard Table can be seen in the foreground, also part of the light fitting hanging above it. Boxes piled up on the right include one with the instruction Do not drop or contents will be broken. The side of another box is being used as a noticeboard. By the window can be seen an army pack with a label. Patients handed in all their kit on admission, except their regimental cap and personal items they needed. The uniform was cleaned and repaired and returned on the patients discharge. Patients were issued with hospital blues a uniform of blue serge jacket and trousers, white shirt and red tie. There was a lot of paperwork in a VAD hospital - returns, reports, records, orders, payments were all required. The bureaucracy increased after 1917 when food rationing came in. The Quex Park VAD Hospital opened on 15 October 1914 and closed on 31 January 1919. The hospital was run by Kent/178, the Birchington Detachment. The Commandant was Hannah Powell-Cotton (1881-1964), wife of Major Percy HG Powell-Cotton (1866-1940) of Quex Park, founder of the Powell-Cotton Museum. Major Powell-Cotton was the VAD Transport Officer for the Isle of Thanet area, responsible for organising the transport of patients from the stations to the local hospitals. Date: circa 1916
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 14305222
© The Powell-Cotton Museum Collection / Mary Evans Picture Library
Admission Billiard Boxes Broken Contents Drop Fitting Foreground Handed Hanging Include Instruction Items Label Needed Noticeboard Nurses Pack Patients Personal Piled Regimental Sewing Stores
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures the quiet intensity of the Billiard Room at Quex House, transformed into a bustling VAD (Voluntary Aid Detachment) Hospital Stores during World War I. Two dedicated VAD nurses, dressed in their uniforms, are seated at a table. One nurse is meticulously sewing, mending uniforms that would be returned to patients upon their discharge. The other nurse is engrossed in paperwork, a crucial aspect of the hospital's operations. The billiard table, a remnant of the room's previous life, stands in the foreground, with part of its light fitting hanging above it. Piled high on the right are boxes, one marked with the warning "Do not drop or contents will be broken," and another serving as a makeshift noticeboard. By the window, an army pack with a label lies in wait, ready to be filled with a patient's belongings. Upon admission, patients handed over all their kit, retaining only their regimental cap and personal items. The uniforms were cleaned and repaired before being returned. Patients were issued with hospital blues - a uniform of blue serge jacket and trousers, white shirt, and red tie. The paperwork in a VAD hospital was extensive, with returns, reports, records, orders, and payments all required. The bureaucracy increased after 1917 when food rationing came into effect. Quex Park VAD Hospital opened on 15 October 1914 and closed on 31 January 1919. The hospital was run by Kent/178, the Birchington Detachment, with Hannah Powell-Cotton serving as the Commandant. Mrs. Powell-Cotton, wife of Major Percy HG Powell-Cotton of Quex Park, who founded the Powell-Cotton Museum, oversaw the hospital's operations. Major Powell-Cotton, who was also the VAD Transport Officer for the Isle of Thanet area, was responsible for organizing the transport of patients from the stations to the local hospitals.
MADE IN AUSTRALIA
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Cart.
