WW1 Convalescing Servicemen and Nurses outside The Friars Newport
Photo reference number: 1695
A White House Studios Newport postcard.
While in hospital wounded soldiers wore the blue uniform seen in the picture above.
At the outset of the war it was arranged that the Royal Gwent Hospital would make space for 50 wounded servicemen and a public appeal was launched to obtain the necessary additional beds. In 1916 a new wing was added to the hospital and then 70 servicemen could be accommodated.
Convalescing servicemen were moved to the Friars where 40 beds were allocated for this purpose.
The old workhouse on the top of Stow Hill became the Newport Section of The 3rd Western General Military Hospital - under control of Western Command of the Military.
Casualties usually arrived by Red Cross Train at Newport Railway Station.
See "The Royal Gwent & St. Woolos Hospitals, A Century of Service in Newport" compiled and edited by Brian Peeling and "History of the Red Cross in Monmouthshire 1910 -1918" by Robin Jones.
External link: Real Photographic Postcards from WW1