Remembering the Stamford 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."
- Private H Jenkins in a letter to Lady Stamford dated 2 February 1919

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.

Soldiers experiencing Dunham's 'fresh air cure'
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… "
- A Stamford Hospital nurse
A room in the house at Dunham Massey displayed as it was as a hospital ward during the First World War

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.

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

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

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.

Nell Smith...

Women in Print workshop 

Artist Nell Smith shows how she created her print of Sister Bennett on display in the house this year with an opportunity to make your own print too. Booking essential.