Remembering the Stamford Hospital

The house at Dunham Massey during the First World War — The Stamford Military Hospital

Black and white archive image of Stamford Military Hospital patients and staff during the First World War — Wounded soldiers convalesced in the garden during the First World War

A room in the house at Dunham Massey displayed as it was as a hospital ward during the First World War — Explore a recreated hospital ward in the house

Lady Jane Grey in her VAD nurses uniform at Stamford Military Hospital (Dunham Massey), Cheshire — Lady Jane Grey cared for injured soldiers at Stamford Military Hospital

November 2018 marks 100 years since the end of the First World War. During the war, Dunham Massey became the Stamford Military Hospital and opened its doors to wounded soldiers between 24 April 1917 and 24 January 1919.

The Saloon was transformed into a hospital ward known as Bagdad (sic) ward complete with 25 beds. The Great Hall became the recreation room, a place for the soldiers to relax with music on the gramophone and the chance to play the piano, cards or board games as well as read, draw and write letters or poetry. The Billiard Room became the nurses’ station and the area at the bottom of the Grand Staircase became an operating theatre.

" I am writing this letter to express my Gratitude for allowing me to remain in your House as I have got exceedingly well since I have been Here by myself, and I have been well looked after and I feel as well as I have ever been."

By the time peace was declared, 282 ‘tommies’ had been treated at the Stamford Hospital. They came from all over England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland with nine soldiers also coming from the Canadian regiments. The shortest stay was seven days and the longest, ten months.

Join us for special events this autumn to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War and remember Dunham Massey as the Stamford Military Hospital.

A black and white image of a nurse and soldiers at Dunham Massey during the First World War — Soldiers experiencing Dunham's 'fresh air cure'

" …You nurses must have had a busy day’ said one of the men. He was right. It was more like lifting the screen of war from this beautiful old house that seemed to breathe peace from its walls… "

Dunham Massey: A Woman’s Place?

100 years on since some British women were first granted the right to vote, Dunham Massey shines a light on how three women of its past have shaped Dunham’s history. We also mark the centenary commemorations for the end of WW1 with a film in the Great Hall, Remembering the Stamford Hospital, and the recreation of one of the smaller hospital wards where nurses cared for recovering soldiers. House open Sat-Wed until 4 Nov.

First World War soldiers on the moat in a boat at Dunham Massey — Tommies on the moat

Imagining the Stamford Hospital

See surviving photographs from the Stamford Hospital in the locations in which they were taken. Walk around the house, gardens and park to see a series of images, from soldiers arriving on stretchers to them boating on the moat. 10 September- 11 November 11am- 4pm.

Soldiers relax in the courtyard at Dunham Massey's Stamford Military Hospital — Immerse yourself in the history of the Stamford Hospital

Armistice

Join us to commemorate 100 years since the end of the First World War as we light a beacon as part of a special armistice event. 11 November.