Unofficial Christ's Hospital Forum

How refreshing to be on "Death Wish "
In 1956, the Army decided thet I had TB, so I was sent to Millbank Army Hospital, the only thing I remember of that, was the Matron who sported a DOUBLE DSO ! One from WW1 and one from WW2, for rescueing wounded under fire, she was about 5ft 2" so presumeably too low to be hit !
I was then transferred to the Brompton, and from thence to the King Edward VII at Midhurst.
After 6 happy months, with my own room and balcony,and Ladies' company at Dinner and Art Classes, (We mixed, because the Chief Surgeon said it made Men shave and Ladies get their hair done !)
after this interlude, I was told I didn't have TB --- but Sarcoidosis ---- a benign form !! So much for "Diagnosis" at Millbank and Brompton !
Before returning to Duty, I also had the Mantu Test, and I was told that, if I hadn't got it by then --- I never would have it ! I still have little purple marks on my arms -- or is this Bubonic Plague ?
52 years later, although a Type 1 Diabetic , since 1956, I have played 1st Class Rugby and Water Polo, but now my Press-ups and Running, seem to have slowed a lot.
I cannot understand this ----- could it be that I am 80 ? Surely not , fresh diagnosis please ?

NEILL THE NOTORIOUS wrote: the only thing I remember of that, was the Matron who sported a DOUBLE DSO ! One from WW1 and one from WW2, for rescueing wounded under fire, she was about 5ft 2" so presumeably too low to be hit

My sainted aunt (ex 6s) was that sort of Matron! I think Kerren remembers her.

I grew up knowing there was a Double VSO buried in our churchyard, so I didn't think that was very extraordinary. Dr Arthur Martin Leake was in RAMC and got his first VSO in the Boer War and his second in the First World War. When it came to the WWII he was offered a first aid post in Hertford and is reputed to have said that he'd never be able to get a second bar to the VC there! I have had his Bible for many years, it has a double clasp closing. While at school I did like to annoy seniors by playing with the clasp making clicking sounds "Me, I've only got my Bible!"

In case anyone is wondering there have only been 3 double VCs, one (son of the Bishop of Liverpool) in the WWI, and a New Zealander in WWII.

NEILL THE NOTORIOUS wrote: the only thing I remember of that, was the Matron who sported a DOUBLE DSO ! One from WW1 and one from WW2, for rescueing wounded under fire,

Without wishing to denigrate any medal holder is there any real difference between a double DSOs and a DSO with bar?

Yes, I realise that to get a double they have to be awarded in different conflicts but to be awarded either requires the same requirements, surely?

I thought that double and with bar both meant the same. When I was googling the VCs it referred to all three of them as double VCs although 'my' chap was the only one to win them in separate conflicts.

Two things --- I think "English Angel"s psudeonymn (Can't spell) is obvious --- If God is, as everyone knows, a white -bearded elderly English Gentleman ----- Then ALL angels MUST be English !
Back to Death-Wish, and VC.s We have two Heroes in our Family, one is Salisbury's only,ever, VC, I may have put it on another Topic, but I think it worth repeating -- He lived to 87 and used to joke about it, Purely Political, Dear Boy !
"I was a 2nd Lt. Good political rank, usually lasted 3 weeks ! Picked up men from different units, in different shellholes, good politically, took the village of Thiepval (Where the Lutchens Memorial is) and held it for 48 hours. It was the centre of the Somme Battle, so all the Generals were watching it --- Good politically, things were going badly, so they needed a Hero "
I should add that he was wounded twice, in the arm and the leg and was carried into the final charge, firing his revolver !!
The Citation reads "He refused Medical Attention for 48 hours" His own remark was "There WAS no B******Y Attention, if there had been, I'd gladly have accepted it --- two field dressings and that was it ! --- but it looks good, politically, in the citation !" Wonderful Man, a Schoolteacher, not a Soldier ! in WW2 was given charge of Tilbury Docks, of which he knew NOTHING, and made awful mistakes, which were always covered up ------ the Army respects VCs !
Our otther hero was My Grandfather, who RETURNED to the Royal Horse Artillery for WW1, after service in the Relief of Khartoum and the Boer War, and won the DCM for "Running away " -- another story, for another time !
As a Professional Soldier, I considered thet TWO heroes in any Family is sufficient quota, so I didn't bother to be brave !

Hi Jude, having lived for some tome in a Jewish Community, can I put a pebble on your "Small Stone" ?
The Graveyard in Prague (Europes Oldest Synagogue) is a mass of little stones on the gravestones.
I understand this is a mark of respect --- but I should like Guidance -- Not being Jewish, but one of the Goyim !!

Back to "Corpse Disposal" ----
My Father wanted his ashes to be scattered in "Jacker's Quar" a Quarry on Ham Hill in Somerset, he being brought up in Stoke-under-Ham ( Now called Stoke-sub-Hamdon ---- !!! I ask you !)
Duly, on the day, I took the ashes to the spot, and ascertaining the wind direction -- I scattered.
You can guess --- the wind did a 180 and my black suit became a fetching shade of light grey.
I swear I could hear him giggling "Never spit into the wind Lad !"
You will gather our Family is laid back ( Obviously !) about Death.

NEILL THE NOTORIOUS wrote: You will gather our Family is laid back ( Obviously !) about Death.

I'm sure you will be the perfect example of "laid back" when the time comes.