The original caption may contain language which is historic and which may no longer be considered appropriate. It has been retained in the record in the interest of historical accuracy.
The caption on the reverse of the photograph reads: “Handicrafts help Canadians back to health. Picture shows four Canadian soldiers cutting out leather work in a Canadian hospital “somewhere in England”, one of the many places assisted by the Canadian Red Cross with a multitude of supplies. Left to right are seen – Gnr. Walter Willimont, of Moose Jaw ; Pte. Walter Churchill, of Springhill, Nova Scotia ; Spr. James Guiney, of Windsor ; Spr. Gordon Hosler, of Capel, Sask.; with Miss Vera Cameron-Mitchell, their English instructor.”
In a military context, Canadian General Hospitals consisted of trained Canadian staff, transported overseas to run established hospitals supporting troops across Europe. The Astor family offered land at their estate, Cliveden, to the Canadian Red Cross for use as a hospital in both the First and Second World Wars. The No.5 Hospital, originally from Winnipeg, was presented to the Canadian Army in 1940. It had 600 beds, 18 medical officers, a matron and 50 nursing sisters, along with staff such as a dietician, pharmacist, and orderlies. The Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps first introduced occupational to the No.5 Hospital in 1940, and in 1941 a small group of Canadians travelled to England to organise occupational therapy in British emergency military hospitals. Occupational therapy had been found to be effective in military hospitals during the First World War; crafts, including leatherwork and toy-making, provided diversions for convalescing patients and contributed to their physical and psychological rehabilitation. The No. 5 Hospital remained in use until the spring of 1943. It was later renamed the Canadian Red Cross Memorial Hospital, and was operated by the NHS until its closure in 1985. See also MED01/01/3307-3313 and MED01/01/3315-3317. High-resolution copies of this image are available for free for non-commercial use. Please Enquire to place an order.
This is part of the Series: MED01/01 Series of prints; within the Collection: MED01 Topical Press Agency Medical Collection
Source: Historic England Archive
Photographer: Topical Press Agency Limited
Photographer: Harrison, Norman Kingsley
Military Hospital, People At Work, Second World War, Women's History, Health And Welfare
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