Convalescing Soldiers' Autographs
AssociatedAssociated with
Jeannie Daniel
(1901 - 1984)
AssociatedAssociated with
Oldmill
Date1917-1918
Object NameAutograph Book
Mediumboard, card, graphite, laundry marker pencil, watercolour, pen and ink (both blue and black inks)
ClassificationsWartime
DimensionsOverall: Height: 14 cm, Width: 10.3 cm
AcquisitionPurchased in 1985.
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDMS010770
About MeAutograph book containing a collection of verse, notes,drawings and even a Wild Woodbine cigarette from soldiers in Oldmill Hospital, 1917-1918.During World War One Oldmill Hospital (later called Woodend) was turned over to military use, becoming No. 1 Scottish General Hospital. Originally the site of a reformatory and later a poorhouse the hospital briefly became the home for many disabled soldiers, casualties of the war in Europe. Rehabilitation of men was the central task. Recovering casualties would spend many months confined to the hospital. Men were encouraged to come to terms with their disabilities and to look to developing skills appropriate to their circumstances. This might be making appliances for amputees, mending nets or engineering. Under the supervision of John Marnoch this facility gave some hint of how future civilian orthopaedic hospitals might be organised.
A touching memento of wartime, the recuperating soldiers added their thoughts to Jeannie L. Daniel's autograph book which probably helped relieve some of the tedium associated with long-term hospital care.
Exhibitions
1914 - 1919 Period
Carrington and Company
1914 - 1919
