This day 96 years ago an armistice between the Allies and Germany took place at Compiégne, France which ended the hostilities and brutality of WW1.
During the years of fighting millions of people were killed and wounded. In Dublin a small group of people took it upon themselves to open a hospital for wounded officers sent back from the war. This hospital was established on 1 December 1914 with the approval and guidance of the British Red Cross Society. The minute book of this forgotten hospital is housed in the RCSI Heritage Collections.
The hospital was given premises at 33 Upper Fitzwilliam Street by Sir William Ireland De Courcy Wheeler (1879-1943) who also volunteered his surgical services. The sub-committee was made up of notable wealthy and respected citizens of Dublin including Lady Talbot de Malahide, Lady Powerscourt and Francis T. Heuston FRCSI. The hospital was equipped with 10 beds and
Every expensive apparatus has been gratuitously offered to us, and the Hospital is lavishly equipped, the initial outlay will be a negligible amount.
On the 5 July 1915 the adjoining building, 32 Upper Fitzwilliam Street, was acquired. This meant the hospital was capable of treating and admitting 25 patients. The minutes also record the names of officers treated and on 6 January 1916 the following were being treated
The patients at present in the Hospital are:
Capt. Waller K.O.S.B
Capt. Newport R. Irish Rifles
Major Paterson 10th Gloucester Regt.
Capt. Ingram R. Irish Rifles
Lieut. Wilson 6th Gordon highlanders
Even though the rate for Officer's maintenance was cut by the British Military Authorities in 1916 from 9 shillings to 6 the hospital continued to function. Parents of patients who had been treated but didn't survive are included in the minute book giving thanks to the staff for caring for their loved one in their time of need.
The final sub-committee meeting was held on 24 March 1919 after which the hospital closed. It had fulfilled its duty of care to those wounded while fighting in WW1. The following is an excerpt from a letter written by Major General J.J. Russell, Deputy Director of Medical Services, Irish Command, to the committee and staff of the hospital on its closure
The Hospital was of the greatest service to us in past times of stress when we were depending so largely on the voluntary aid which was so loyally and efficiently given. It was of the greatest benefit to wounded Officers to have an auxiliary hospital such as yours,where any class of surgical case could be admitted with the assurance that it would receive the best surgical skill.
This minute book and it's collection of inserted letters, reports, finances gives a detailed account of the workings of a previously unknown and forgotten WW1 hospital.
- Researched and written by Meadhbh Murphy
During the years of fighting millions of people were killed and wounded. In Dublin a small group of people took it upon themselves to open a hospital for wounded officers sent back from the war. This hospital was established on 1 December 1914 with the approval and guidance of the British Red Cross Society. The minute book of this forgotten hospital is housed in the RCSI Heritage Collections.
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| Offer of premises for the hospital made by W. I. De Courcy Wheeler |
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| Minute Book of the Hospital for Wounded Officers |
The hospital was given premises at 33 Upper Fitzwilliam Street by Sir William Ireland De Courcy Wheeler (1879-1943) who also volunteered his surgical services. The sub-committee was made up of notable wealthy and respected citizens of Dublin including Lady Talbot de Malahide, Lady Powerscourt and Francis T. Heuston FRCSI. The hospital was equipped with 10 beds and
Every expensive apparatus has been gratuitously offered to us, and the Hospital is lavishly equipped, the initial outlay will be a negligible amount.
The hospital was notified when hospital ships would be arriving in to Dublin carrying wounded from the Front. Supplies for the hospital were donated by various people and included such items as hot water bottles, dressing gowns, grapes, apples, flowers and champagne.
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| Donations made to the hospital |
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| Donations made to the hospital |
The patients at present in the Hospital are:
Capt. Waller K.O.S.B
Capt. Newport R. Irish Rifles
Major Paterson 10th Gloucester Regt.
Capt. Ingram R. Irish Rifles
Lieut. Wilson 6th Gordon highlanders
Even though the rate for Officer's maintenance was cut by the British Military Authorities in 1916 from 9 shillings to 6 the hospital continued to function. Parents of patients who had been treated but didn't survive are included in the minute book giving thanks to the staff for caring for their loved one in their time of need.
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| First page of letter from parents of a soldier treated in the hospital |
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| Second page of letter from parents of a soldier treated in the hospital |
The Hospital was of the greatest service to us in past times of stress when we were depending so largely on the voluntary aid which was so loyally and efficiently given. It was of the greatest benefit to wounded Officers to have an auxiliary hospital such as yours,where any class of surgical case could be admitted with the assurance that it would receive the best surgical skill.
This minute book and it's collection of inserted letters, reports, finances gives a detailed account of the workings of a previously unknown and forgotten WW1 hospital.
- Researched and written by Meadhbh Murphy