Oakwood Hall - WW1 Auxiliary Hospital, Rotherham

Today Oakwood Hall stands within the grounds of Rotherham District General Hospital. It was originally built in 1856 as a home for James Yates, who was a local stove grate manufacturer. However, by the 1890s the house had passed from the Yates family in to the hands of a solicitor named Colin Mackenzie Smith, who resided at the property with his wife Wilhelmina Ruth Smith and their six live-in servants, which included a cook and footman. The couple also employed a coachman and gardener, both of whom lived in the nearby Oakwood Hall cottages. In 1911 another of the cottages was rented by local photographer, Fred Shaw, who's camera would later go on to capture images of the hall while it was in use as a military hospital. Once war was declared, the sixty-six year old Colin Mackenzie Smith vacated the house and offered it up for use by the war office. Not long after the house was converted into a Class "A" Auxiliary hospital. The facility was equipt with a 100 beds for wounded soldiers to convalesce in.

Oakwood Hall 'New Ward' by photographer Fred Shaw
Postcard from my personal collection

This postcard is just one in a series produced by the previously mentioned Rotherham based photographer, Fred Shaw. Fred's studio was located just a few streets away in the town centre. The top photograph shows injured soldiers convalescing in the hospital's 'new ward', which was located in a glass conservatory attached to the rear of the building. The bottom photograph shows the staff stood on a balcony. If you view the full sized image you will see the faces of soldiers peering out from behind the nurses.

The hospital was mainly staffed by local members of the VAD. Miss Elizabeth Sinclair White was engaged as commandment and Matron. She was assisted in running the hospital by Miss Martha Baker, who undertook the role of quarter master. For the majority of the war the hospital cared for patients without incident, that was until the Summer of 1918, when tragedy struck and a fire broke out at around dinnertime on Saturday 22nd June. It caused £6000 worth of damage, which is the equivalent of just under £300,000 in today's money. 

Staff outside Oakwood Hall Auxilliary Hospital

The blaze was ignited by a spark from the kitchen chimney. At the time, the hospital was caring for 97 patients, 20 of who were incapacitated. Rotherham Corporation Fire Brigade was summoned to tackle the fire. Thankfully all the patients were rescued and there were no fatalities, however fireman Harry Thorpe was seriously injured when a ceiling fell on him as he attempted to dowse the fire with a hose. Another man received cuts from breaking glass. Before the fire took hold, staff and able bodied patients were able to save the furniture. The interior of the hall was completely gutted and no longer habital. The remaining patients were transferred to nearby Moorgate Hospital and the severest cases were sent to Sheffield.

Colin Mackenzie Smith never returned to the house after the war. Instead the hall under went renovations to convert it in to a TB Sanatorium. Oakwood Hall was given grade II status in 1986 and is currently the property of the NHS.

Sources______________________
Barnsley Chronicle - June 29th 1918
1901 & 1911 Census
Historicengland.org.uk - listing for Oakwood Hall
Redcross.org.uk - WW1 Auxiliary Hospitals
Rotherham-images.co.uk/
Whiston-heritage-society.co.uk/

Military Memory, and the Sacred Space

Back in September the Barnsley War Memorial Project had the unique opportunity to take part in a radio interview about the Battle of Passchendaele. The show was originally broadcast at 11am on the 10th November 2017, but it's still available to listen to on iPlayer for the moment.

I must tell you, that as I have Aspergers I find public speaking of any kind extremely difficult. I'd much rather write something for the local newspaper than do a talk. But I felt this was too great an opportunity to promote group to turn down, so I hesitantly agreed to go along with another member of the group to speak with Giles Fraser. It was very hard, but I'm glad I did it if only for the experience. (I'm not sure I could do it again though.)

WW1 Living History Event at Cannon Hall - August 2017

Over the August bank holiday weekend I went to a WW1 living history event which was took place at Cannon Hall (near Barnsley).

It was very interesting to see the men and women walking around dressed in period accurate uniforms. Nurses, soldiers and doctors were all represented, even the children were dressed in Edwardian style clothing. The tents were set out with replica equipment and weaponry for passersby to view. Of course it wasn't really like being at the front; For both obvious and practical reasons there were no trenches, nor was there any real sense of danger or of being at war. It was hard to imagine these men could have been hours away from battle on this polite and bright Bank holiday Sunday.

However, I was able to build up the courage to speak with one of the the re-enactors who as it turned out was very knowledgeable about both the First World War and military equipment. He was more than happy to answer my questions. I think it helped that they not only had an interest in the history of WW1 but also came from a military background.  I imagine that having actual combat experience makes it easier to relate to what the men of WW1 went through, than someone like myself can. The person I spoke to was an ex soldier, named Stuart. We discussed many things including what type of guns my two uncles might have used during their time with the Machine Gun Corps.

One of the high points of the day was being allowed to handle a (deactivated) Enfield rifle. I had never held a gun before. It allowed me, in a very small way, to connect with my ancestors and experience something they had. The gun I held had been modified so it couldn't be discharged, but demonstrations of other Enfield rifles being fired took place throughout the day. I recorded and uploaded one of the displays to YouTube. It can be viewed below.

Interview with Giles Fraser for Radio 4

Several weeks ago the Barnsley War Memorial Project was given the unique opportunity to take part in the recording of a special memorial program about Passchendaele for Radio 4. On Wednesday 27th September myself and two other members of the group went along to All Saints church at Darfield to pre-record a segment for the show, which will be broadcast at 11am on 10th November 2017 to coincide with the centenary of the end of the battle. Presenter Giles Fraser asked us questions about war memorials and about the Barnsley men who fell at Passchendaele. Mike Smith, co-author of Darfield Remembers, was also interviewed and so were the relatives of  several Darfield men who'd been killed during the Third Battle of Ypres.

Barnsley Chronicle 6th October 2017

Although I was apprehensive about taking part in a radio interview, having never done anything like that before, I'm glad I did. It was a great experience. We recorded about 30 minutes worth of material, however we were told only a small amount of it would make it to air. So I have no idea what part of my interview will be featured (if any of it at all.) And to be honest, I can't remember half of what I said anyway, I was so nervous. I do recall speaking about Frank Pettitt's Death Penny, which was rescued from a scrapyard.

The two war memorials to the left inside All Sain'ts Church, Darfield.

It was also my first visit to All Saint's church at Darfield, which I thought to be beautiful and historic piece of architecture. I took a photograph of the impressive marble war memorial for one of my other WW1 blogs, as several Wombwell men are remembered this particular memorial.

Passchendaele Article for the Barnsley Chronicle

Back in July 2017 I had the opportunity to write an article for Pen & Sword books about the Barnsley men who fell during the Third Battle of Ypres (also known as Passchendaele.) I wrote the piece on behalf of  The Barnsley War Memorial Project and it was printed in the Barnsley Chronicle on Friday 4th August 2017 to coincide with the anniversary of battle, which began on the 31st July 1917 and lasted until 10th November 1917.

Barnsley Chronicle 4th August 2017

I chose to write about three men who had died at different points during the offensive. Tom Drudy fell on the first day, his body was claimed by the Belgian mud, consequently he has no grave and is remembered on the Menin Gate instead. Frank Pettitt died of wound received on the 12th October 1917 during the Battle of Passchendaele. Fitter Staff Sergeant Bernard Kilner was killed only six days later on the 18th October 1917, when he was hit by a shell while inspecting the guns. All their stories are told in greater detail on my other WW1 blog.

The Lost Barnsley Radical & Liberal Club Memorial

It was recently discovered that one of  Barnsley's missing war memorials was sold at auction twelve years ago. We learnt from posts made to a First World War forum, that the memorial had been sold by auctioneers CW Harrison on the 10th August 2005 to a Barnsley business man, with an interest in WW1 for safe keeping. After that nothing more was heard about the memorial or it's fate.

Barnsley Chronicle 1st September 2017

I realise at this point you might be wondering why I wanted to know the location of this memorial in particular. Well let me explain; I'm a member of the Barnsley War Memorial Project. The group is currently in the process of creating a Roll of Honour, which will commemorate all the individuals of the Barnsley area who fell during WW1. In order to do this we have been researching and transcribing as many local war memorials as we can find, that way, we hope to include as many of the fallen as possible. So, you can imagine the Bwmp was very keen to view and transcribe this memorial. Our group began making inquiries in to it's whereabouts. We sent emails to the auctioneers and made posts on the forum, all to no avail. So we decided to ask the Barnsley Chronicle if the would run an appeal on our behalf. Fortunately they agreed to to help us, for which we are very grateful. On Friday the newspaper ran the appeal and we waited to see if anyone would contact us.....

Barnsley Chronicle 15th September 2017

We didn't have to wait long, in less than two days the owner got in touch and arranged for three members of the Bwmp to view the memorial. Understandably the current owner wishes to remain anonymous. But we are certain the memorial is in a safe place and are very thankful to this individual for looking after it all these years.

The memorial a very large piece, measuring 7 feet in height. It features ceramic tiles in an oak frame and has the names of 127 men who fought, 8 of whom were killed.

At the base of the memorial is a brass plate that says:
RADICAL & LIBERAL CLUB
This Roll of Honour was unveiled by W Bowring Esq (President) on December 22nd 1919 to commemorate the Honour, Glory and Patriotism of our brave fellow members who answered their Countrys call to arms during the Great War 1914-1920
COMFORT - COMMITTEE
T Pogmore (Chairman), G Bennett, W Copping, F Clarkson, W J Howden, J Law, T Woffenden, C Ibbotson, W J Barham, (Treasurer) H Wainwright (Secretary)

There is a makers stamp on the brass plaque of Robertson and Russell, Sheffield.

WW1 Peace Celebrations in Fox Glen at Stocksbridge - 16th August 1919

Earlier this year I bought a postcard online which showed festivities being held in Fox Glen at Stocksbridge to welcome home the troops and celebrate peace after the end of the First World War.

By Bradbury of Deepcar. Postcard from my personal collection.

These celebrations seemed like they were a significant event in the history of Fox Valley and Stocksbridge. So I hoped details of it would have made it into at least one of the local newspapers. I wasn't disapointed, on a recent trip to Barnsley Archives I managed to find an account of the event, which was printed in a local newspaper the following week:
"Stocksbridge Returned Soldiers and Sailors - A civic reception of soldiers and sailors, who have returned after serving King and Country during the past 5 years was given by the members of the urban district council on Saturday afternoon, when some 300 or 400 sat down to a substantial tea in the British school. The proceedings which followed were of a very inspiring  character. Headed by the Stocksbridge brass band they proceeded to an open air concert and entertainment in Fox Glen, where some thousands of villagers were assembled. Mr. F. Coultas (Chairman) supported by members of the council presided and during an interval Col. C. Hodgkinson V.D took the opportunity, on behalf of the council and citizens, of heartily welcoming the men back to civilian life. He also presented the men who had won distinction in the Great War with their medals, including 2 DCMs and 5 M.Ms as follows: Sergt. G. A Shrute, 4th York and Lancaster, DCM, Drummer Frank Thickett, 4th York and Lancaster, DCM, Cpl. (Act-Sergt.) E.S Askham, 4th York and Lancaster, M.M, Pte. Ernest Hawes, 5th Gloucestershire regiment, M.M, Pte. Osbert Herbert, 6th Northamptonshire Regiment, M.M, Pte. Emmerson Knowles, Army Service Corps., M.M and Gnr. S.H Woodcook 32nd Brigade R.F.A, M.M."

Penistone and Stocksbridge Express 

23rd August 1919

The day after the concert another gathering was held, this time food and entertainment was provided at the British school for the widows and orphans of the men who'd died during the war.

The image at the top of the post shows a lighting caricaturist entertaining the crowd during the event. This postcard is the third in a series by Bradbury of Deepcar depicting the concert which took place at Fox Glen on the 16th August 1919. I have seen a copy of post card number 2, which shows the crowds congregating in Fox Valley (it's available to view on Sheffield City Council's website) So far I have been unable to find a copy of postcard No. 1. But, it would be interesting to see which part of the celebrations it displays.


Sources___________________________________

Penistone and Stocksbridge Express - 23rd August 1919

With thanks to Barnsley Archives.