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B Ward, Christmas 1918, Quex Park VAD Hospital
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B Ward, Christmas 1918, Quex Park VAD Hospital
B Ward in Gallery 1 of the Powell-Cotton Museum on Christmas Day 1918. This was the first Gallery of the Museum, built in 1896. The museum was extended into a second room alongside this in the years before the First World War. The room is highly decorated with flags, greetings, paper decorations and festive greenery. The three daughters of the family - Diana, Mary and Antoinette Powell-Cotton can be seen. A patient by the doorway on the left is in fancy dress..To the left of him stands Camille Van Dyck, the Belgian patient who remained at Quex Park throughout the War, working as a Hospital Orderly. He had been struck dumb by shock in 1914. The Quex Park VAD Hospital opened on 15 October 1914 and closed on 31 January 1919. The hospital was run by Kent/178, the Birchington Detachment. The Commandant was Hannah Powell-Cotton (1881-1964), wife of Major Percy HG Powell-Cotton (1866-1940) of Quex Park, founder of the Powell-Cotton Museum. Date: 1918
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Media ID 14247607
© The Powell-Cotton Museum Collection / Mary Evans Picture Library
1896 Alongside Antoinette Belgian Camille Cotton Daughters Decorations Doorway Dyck Extended Fancy Festive First Gallery Greenery Highly Patient Powell Quex Remained Stands Ward Years
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EDITORS COMMENTS
In this evocative photograph taken on Christmas Day, 1918, in B Ward of the Quex Park VAD Hospital, the festive spirit is palpable. The room, which was the first gallery of the Powell-Cotton Museum, built in 1896, is transformed into a seasonal wonderland. Flags, greetings, paper decorations, and festive greenery adorn the space, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Three young girls, Diana, Mary, and Antoinette Powell-Cotton, dressed in their holiday best, stand in the center of the room, beaming with joy. To their left, a patient in fancy dress adds an air of merriment to the scene. Nearby, Camille Van Dyck, a Belgian patient who had remained at Quex Park throughout the war, works as a Hospital Orderly. Camille had been struck dumb by shock in 1914, but his dedication to the hospital is evident in his attentiveness to the patients. The Quex Park VAD Hospital opened on October 15, 1914, and closed on January 31, 1919. The hospital was run by Kent/178, the Birchington Detachment, with Hannah Powell-Cotton, wife of Major Percy HG Powell-Cotton of Quex Park, serving as Commandant. The Powell-Cotton Museum, which was founded by Major Powell-Cotton, was extended into a second room alongside this gallery in the years before the First World War. This photograph captures a moment of respite and joy amidst the hardships of war, a testament to the enduring spirit of the holiday season and the compassionate efforts of those who cared for the wounded and weary.
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