Our Story
The Haslar Heritage Group was formed in 2001 to organise celebrations for the 250th anniversary of the Royal Hospital Haslar in 2003.
The group has continues to research the rich history of Haslar and the people who served in the hospital. The Group display historical material and organise meetings and talks and tours on National Heritage Days to highlight the history of the hospital.
Haslar Heritage Group is moving on and are currently working with Haslar Developments Ltd through a signed Memorandum of Understanding towards the founding of a visitor’s centre and Museum of Naval Medicine.
Comments
Does anyone know anything about a Patricia Smith who was (I assume) on the Uganda in 1982?
I remember a Nursing Sister Pat Smith, who I believe has now CTB.
I have her copy (signed) of the Red & Green Life Machine. If anyone knows of her or her family I would like to get the book back to them.
Is Haslar open at the moment, I love to photograph old places and would like to walk around and record images for future interest ?
VAD Red Cross Nurses 'N' Block RNH Haslar May 1946
This photograph has now, after much speculation from me, kindly been identified by Eric Birbeck of the HHG as having been taken at the corner of G block nearest Canada Block.
In WW2, and until May 1946 at least, it was called 'N' Block, (Now Goodrich House),
Canada Block is beyond the trees and the G Block Summer House is in a former position or was subsequently replaced by the current one.
I found this interesting photograph on the internet (not copyrighted)
Professionally mounted and labelled: VAD 'N' Block RN Hospital Haslar May 1946.
I served in Haslar several times between 1969 and 1992 but I am unable to work out where it was taken and I have never heard of an N Block.
On maximum enlargement an interesting feature is visible on the top front of three Storey building in the background behind and above the middle rear VAD in Outdoor clothing. There are people behind a hedge to the left and another building far left. Another ?part wall to the right. To the left of the back row left hand VAD is a Cupola like structure that looks a bit like the top of the one on St Luke's Chapel 'bell tower' It cannot be that of course but the top seems very similar. Those trees are hiding a lot!
Any ideas anyone? If it is actually RNH Haslar, which must be assumed, as the photo is mounted and labelled, Presumably by the Photographer.
Today 03.04.2022
A few pictures from today 03.04.2022
Here is a few 360 images from today. Click load and move around with your finger
To the Group Administrator: Please let me know if this post is appropriate/relevant for members of this group. I am unsure and will be guided by your judgement.
This is a new book (Sailors' Heart) about life in the Arctic convoys of WWII and subsequent treatment of sailors who were psychologically damaged.
The Prologue of the book describes how Haslar Hospital came into being. This is a novel, based on real places and events (see details below). Full disclosure here - I am the author of the book.
Thank you for your consideration.
Dr M Campbell
Published on 4th January 2022 and now available on Amazon.co.uk only
Sailor's Heart by Martin Campbell (author of Bad Beat Hotel)
1942. The war at sea is being lost. One per cent of all naval personnel are being referred as psychiatric casualties. The British Admiralty introduces the Stone Frigate approach.
Three men fight for their country in the Arctic convoys of World War II, then for their sanity and dignity, labelled as cowards and subjected to experimental psychiatry at an isolated facility set up to by the British Admiralty to recycle men back into battle.
To the Navy they are faulty parts, not constitutionally suited to operate at sea. To the public they are poltroons, malingerers and psychiatric cases.
The places in this story are real, but everyone who played a part in what happened is now dead. It is safe to tell what really happened. What was important then, nobody cares about now.
True courage is facing danger when you are afraid, surviving in the circus of war.
I have available a 2 and a half hour long, movie location if its OK to post the link on here. It is an interesting movie of an in-depth tour around the hospital about 12 months ago, bu two gentlemen who managed to infiltrate the grounds at the western end and gain entry to building via the large dangerous underground part from where the demolished buildings are in the like central courtyard.
It will allow you to see inside the hospital many places never seen before by general public. Many people have not had a chance to see the beautiful oval staircase for instance. In a movie that is. The whole move is really worth watching
Shall i post a link to this (although some may have already seen) ? or is it not allowed on here, being an unauthorized entry and film take ? Just for now here are 5 shots including the wonderful drone tour.
Sharing this with you my
Great grandfather,Capt PH Delamere He was a Doctor in Haslar hospital and died there in 1918.
My grandfather Thomas Cameron was in the Royal Marines for 12 years, leaving in 1905 when he married my grandmother Emily Potter. On the outbreak of war he immediately embarked with the RMRB (the regiment he was in seems to have undergone many title changed. RND and RMLI included)
He was at the siege of Antwerp where he was seriously wounded in the head. After being displaced twice in field hospitals, he finally arrived at Haslar, although I don’t know when he arrived. He wrote to my nan and I still have the letter on flimsy headed notepaper.
It is absolutely heartbreaking. His normally neat handwriting scrawls all over the pages although he sounds very lucid. Indeed, he was making plans to return home and sent loving kisses to his wife and four young sons (one of whom was my dad, John (Jack).
Below is photo of the letter. I have added a transcription as it is very hard to read. I hope the poignancy of it excuses this long post.
My dearest Em
I suppose you will be surprised when you get this letter and to hear I am back in England again. I got hurt a bit at Antwerp and I came over with a batch of wounded on Tuesday and got here about eleven on Tuesday night. Of course, it would not be my luck to get to an hospital near home but if I were you I would go and see that Sunday school teacher of Tommy’s and I may get transferred. I got hit in the head with a shell. It is going on all right
X######### for all
Thomas Cameron RM 20/10/1874 – 20/10/1914 He died on his 40th birthday leaving a widow and four young boys. The photo below is, we believe, one taken near to or on his funeral day as they are in their very best. She is wearing his cap badge. She had a very hard life in bringing them up p, dry poor – they all did her proud. A son died at El Alamein.
Enhanced - Not great to start with but a good result for these ladies
