A brief history of Whipps Cross Hospital

by Alan Simpson

A brass plaque inside the hospital commemorates the Royal visit. It bears the following inscription:

THIS TABLET WAS ERECTED TO
Commemorate the visit of Their Majesties
KING GEORGE V & QUEEN MARY
with H.R.H. PRINCESS MARY,
to this Infirmary and War Hospital
on SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17th 1917,
WHEN THEIR MAJESTIES VISITED THE WOUNDED SOLDIERS AND
THE QUEEN PRESENTED THE MEDALS AND CERTIFICATES OF TRAINING
TO THE NURSES

Mounted with the plaque are diary extracts from the Royal Archives:

King George V’s diary, 17 November 1917

At 1.40 we motored to Whipps Cross War Hospital in West Ham. It is the Work House Infirmary. We were received by Mr Ward (Chairman of West Ham Board of Guardians) and others including Mr Will Thorne MP who is also Mayor of West Ham. We saw the 300 wounded, walked through all the wards and went to the Nurses Home where May gave medals and certificates to some of the Nurses. Home at 5.0.

Queen Mary’s diary, 17 November 1917

We motored at 1.30 to West Ham where we got into Russian carriages and drove to Whipps Cross Epping Forest where we visited the Infirmary and talked to 247 soldiers after which I presented medals and certificates to the nurses in the nurses home. Mr Hayes Fisher (LGB) and the Mayor Mr Will Thorne and others met us there. We had a very good reception. We got back by 5.

According to newspaper reports, soldiers from Australia criticised the cold weather in the UK. One who had been gassed complained that he could no longer smoke. The King responded by saying it was a terrible hardship, adding he hoped the soldier would ‘be able to have a whiff soon’. Another serviceman suffering from a bayonet wound was asked by the King if he had managed to do any bayoneting in return. The stricken soldier answered ‘some’ to laughter. A choir of local nurses, who were graduating from the hospital's training school, sang to the Queen, who handed out medals.

Leyton & Leytonstone

Historical Society