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- Wardown VAD Hospital Luton during the Great War -


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Wardown VAD Hospital Luton



   Wardown VAD Hospital was situated in a large Victorian mansion in Wardown Park, Old Bedford Road, Luton. It was was affiliated to the the 1st Eastern General Hospital, Cambridge. The hospital first opened in October 1914, as a reception for the sick of the North Midland Division billeted in Luton and from the nearby Biscot Camp Artillery Training School, under the care of a trained Sister and a staff of local V.A.D. nurses. Mrs R. H. Durler was Joint Commandant with Mrs J. W. Green. Medical Officers of the RAMC administered the more in depth medical procedures.

65 beds were provided with three large wards on the ground floor, three smaller wards the first floor along with an isolation ward with two beds. 20 beds were situated in a newly constructed wooden annexe to the east side of the house, accessed via the fire exit in the regiment gallery. Also on the ground floor was the Operating Theatre equipped with up-to-date fittings, including a folding operating table, high pressure steam sterilizer for dressings and wash-basins with elbow swing taps. Cases requiring major operations were sent to either the Bute Hospital, Luton or the 1st Eastern General Hospital, Cambridge. X Ray's were taken at the Bute Hospital. A Pack Store was provided for patients’ belongings and kit, the hospital also had use of the kitchens, pantries, offices. There was also a large Recreation Room furnished with comfortable chairs, tables, indoor games, a small library, and an excellent bagatelle table. A second bagatelle table was placed on the first floor landing which led to bathrooms for staff and patients, rooms for the matron and nurses and offices for the Commandants and Secretary.

9th Mar 1916 Hospital Rent

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Those known to have worked or been treated at

Wardown VAD Hospital Luton

during the Great War 1914-1918.

All names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed, please Add a Name to this List

Records of Wardown VAD Hospital Luton from other sources.


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Want to know more about Wardown VAD Hospital Luton?


There are:1 items tagged Wardown VAD Hospital Luton available in our Library

  These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Great War.




244617

Nurse. Sarah Ann Bartlett

Sarah Ann Bartlett was my Great Grandmother. She was born 16th of February 1872 in Blaenavon, Monmouthshire. By 1891 She had left her home to train as a nurse. Throughout her working life she worked in various Isolation Hospitals and at the time of WW1 she was employed at Dunstable Isolation Hospital. For a period of six months, from 25th of February 1918 until 1st of August 1918, she worked as a fulltime Night Nurse at Wardown Hospital, after which she returned to Dunstable. She lived and worked in Dunstable for the rest of her life. She died at the age of 75 in 1948.

Elizabeth Wilson






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