A brief history of Whipps Cross Hospital

by Alan Simpson

So long a time was expended in the wards of the hospital, which is of great size, that the proposal to return in open carriages had to be abandoned, darkness beginning to fall, and the return was made in motor cars.

The Queen made a number of presentations of certificates and medals to nurses at Forest House, an institution belonging to the West Ham Guardians, and at which nurses are trained …

A Child’s Escapade

The visit of the King and Queen to the Whipps Cross War Hospital on Saturday was marked by a charming incident. A little boy of eight, named Harold McDermott, was in a children’s ward by which the Royal procession would go. He knew of all the preparation that had been made, but there was none in particular for him, by which he could see the King and Queen, so he made plans of his own. Watching from his bed in the distance of the ward, he saw soldiers go by. “Now’s the time,” thought he, and, throwing aside the bed clothes, and casting bandages from his head, he leapt out of his bed in his nightgown to race out of the ward and into the forecourt before he could be stopped. It was not the King, after all, and he was caught up by the nurses. But there was no thought of denying the adventurer. A big shawl was wrapped around him and a “seat” found for him in a cot, and when the King and Queen did come a nurse picked up Master Harold, threw a blanket round him, and stood by the gate with him in her arms, so not only did he see the King and Queen, but they stopped face to face with him, and heard the story of his escapade with much amusement, and spoke kindly to him.

Essex County Chronicle, 28 December 1917

ROYAL GIFTS AT WHIPPS CROSS

Little Harold McDermott and the other sick children in whom their Majesties took such interest on the occasion of their visit to Whipps Cross War Hospital recently had a pleasant surprise on Christmas morning. Among the gifts of toys which decorated the Christmas tree were several toys sent by the Queen and Princess Mary “for the little patients we noticed in the sick wards of the infirmary.”

Towards the end of the following spring, on 1 June 1918, a military gymkhana was held at the hospital to raise funds to build a recreation hut in the grounds for wounded soldiers there.

Essex County Chronicle, 14 June 1918

RECREATION HUT SCHEMES. – The scheme for raising £1,000 to provide a recreation hut in connection with the Whipps Cross War Hospital received a big fillip as the result of a military gymkhana arranged by wounded soldiers on Saturday in the hospital grounds. The programme comprised 17 events. Music was provided by the Walthamstow Silver Prize Band and the Aldersbrook Boys’ Band, and a concert after the sports by the Blue Birds’ Concert Party.

Leyton & Leytonstone

Historical Society