In Memoriam - Edith Cavell part three

"Nurse Edith Cavell. Patriot & Martyr. Funeral Procession, May 15th 1919." published by Beagles postcards.

After the war Edith Cavell's body was removed from the Execution burial ground and returned to England. Her body was transported by rail from Dover to London and a State Funeral was held at Westminister Abbey where thousands lined the streets of Westminister to pay their respects. Following the service she was re-buried on home soil at Norwich Cathedral.

Real photographic postcard of London & North Western Railway Company locomotive 2275 named "Edith Cavell" and dressed in patriotic splendour with a sign that reads "Lest We Forget".

Nurse Cavell is remembered the world over. Numerous memorials bear her name including this steam locomotive pictured above. Some of the memorials in New Zealand include;

Edith Cavell Hospital, Paparoa

Nurse Cavell Lane, opposite Edith Cavell Hospital in Paparoa

Edith Cavell Home & Hospital Ltd, Sumner, Christchurch

A plaque dedicated to Nurse Cavell unveiled in May 1917 at Maniopoto Hospital in Otago

Edith Cavell Bridge built at Arthur's Point between Queenstown and Arrowtown, and which stands over the Shotover River. Constructed between 1917 and 1919.

Cavell Street, Dunedin

Cavell Street, Reefton

Nurse Cavell statue sculptured by Captain William Henry Feldon, NZEF for St Mary's Hospital, Auckland

One of the trees planted in an avenue of trees on Hall Road (now Halver Road) in Manurewa honours the memory of Nurse Cavell. Sadly, the trees on this road no longer exist.

Feeling Blue in the Hospital Blue

Written on the back of the 'Boy Blue And Blue Belle' postcard;
“You will notice how Tommy has turned the bottoms of his trousers up – Kris informs me this is “the fashion” – but thank goodness neither he nor his friend follows “the fashion”. Kris does look hugh in Hospital Blue but he also looks such a dear little boy. I do hope he is able to return to you soon for I’m sure you must miss him awfully.”

In the midst of overwhelming khaki-uniformed allies was the distinctive hospital blue uniform worn by convalescent soldiers. The unflattering and unfashionable look of ill-fitting pyjamas left many soldiers feeling too conspicuous and uncomfortable in the compulsory attire.
The garments were made of blue serge with a white flannelette lining. Design and size were kept simple to accommodate all shapes and sizes of recovering soldiers from non-commissioned ranks. The oversized shirt and trouser lengths resulted in overturned cuffs and sleeves. The uniform included a red tie and often the only khaki worn, was that of their regimental hat.

Real photographic postcard most likely taken in the grounds of the New Zealand Hospital at Oatlands Park in Weybridge, England. 

New Zealand soldiers dressed in the 'Hospital Blue' uniform. Those pictured in the front row have all lost limbs.

Objection to wearing the hospital blue uniform was not only made by convalescent soldiers in England but also at home in New Zealand. On 12 March 1919 the Marlborough Express newspaper reported;

“HOSPITAL BLUE.

AN OBJECTIONABLE UNIFORM

[Press Association.]

Christchurch, March 12.

The majority of sixty soldier patients in Christchurch Hospital declined the invitation to a garden party given by the Governor-General owing to the fact that it would be necessary to attend in hospital blue uniform, to which they objected.

The Returned Soldiers’ Association carried a resolution expressing regret that arrangements had not been made to allow the men to attend in dress uniform.”

On a visit to Dunedin in May 1919, Sir James Allen was quickly made aware of some protest from convalescent soldiers at the Montecillo Home. Unsurprisingly, they too were unhappy with the poor fitting and the unwanted attention that brought on ridicule from some sections of society. Sir James, sympathetic to their views, defended the uniform; “The new uniform, instead of being the subject of ridicule, should demand the highest respect…as it is the distinguishing mark of those who have suffered for us.”

Further defence of the uniform by means of enforcement, was the ability for Military Police to arrest any civilian guilty of ridiculing the men in blue.

In many cases, soldiers in care at hospitals and auxiliary homes found themselves on a long road to recovery. This was hard on mind and body, and the lure of alcoholic liquor was an opportunity to ‘drown the sorrows’. With health and well-being the key objective for medical staff, regulations prohibited civilians from supplying alcohol to the men in blue.

Despite these wounded soldiers feeling blue in the ‘Hospital Blue’, many civilians identified them as heroes and were appreciative of their loyal service to King and Country.

Red Cross Military Convalescent Home, Montecillo

Red Cross Military Convalescent Home, Montecillo, Dunedin.
Real photographic postcard c1918.

This elegant thirteen-roomed house located on Eglinton road in Mornington, Dunedin was set on grounds of about 3½ acres. The house was opened as a Red Cross Military Convalescent Home on 27 June 1918. At the time of opening, the home had accommodation for approximately twenty-four and serviced the wounded and sick veterans from the Boer War and First World War. A new building with two rooms divided in to a works room and a recreation room with a billiards table opened in 1919. A massage room was administered by Miss Ensor. Displayed on the wall of the entrance hall hung a commemorative red pine tablet with a brass plate designed by artist Mr Robert Hawcridge. It recorded the names of those who donated £100 or more to the cot endowment fund which was a much needed source of money for the purchase of cots for the convalescent home.

Agnes Macmillan, of Milton, who worked at a Presbyterian Orphanage on Blighs Road in Papanui in 1912 and the Dunedin General Hospital, later saw service in military hospitals at Wimereux and Bolougne in France from 1915 to 1916. She was appointed Matron of the convalescent home at Montecillo in 1918. She was assisted by some voluntary nurses; Miss Ogston, Mrs Arthur Stronach, and Miss Brenda Bell, and in 1920, Sisters Thomson and Oppenheim.

The longest resident was Trooper Thomas Frederick McCarthy of the Otago Mounted Rifles who died in 1973. Another resident was Sergeant Newton Hanan, Otago Infantry Battalion, who took a gunshot wound to his back during the fighting in France in 1916. The wound resulted in paralysis and loss of use of both legs. He was invalided back to New Zealand and eventually became a resident of Montecillo until his death in 1922. Major Gordon Mitchell, Troopers Jardine, Sanders and Muir were also some of the WW1 veterans who were resident at the convalescent home.