Voluntary Aid Detachment nurses from the Red Cross in the front doorway of Dunsdale. The centre woman of the three standing is Blanche Warde.
Reference: WH0747
Maude Finch is ready for duty in this photograph taken in the back yard of ‘Belleview’ New Street, around 1915. The uniform typifies the period with mop-cap and starched detachable collar and cuffs and a long apron and underskirt. The house known as ‘Belleview’ is now called ‘Dolphin Corner’
Reference: WH0749
The mansion of Dunsdale was reputed to have become the dower-house of Valence and was tenanted to Bank Director Francis John Johnston from the time of purchase by Norman Watney (of the brewery family) in 1890, to the time of Francis’ death in 1911, aged 80 years. 1911 was a notable year, being also the year ...
Reference: WH0745
The mansion of ‘Dunsdale’ on the estate of the late Norman Watney had been converted into a hospital of fifty beds in 1914. The first consignment of wounded men were 48 Belgian soldiers some of whom are shown here. Dunsdale Voluntary Aid Detachment (V.A.D.) hospital was managed by the British Red Cross Society. The nursing staff ...
Reference: WH0746
Unlike those billeted in the various church halls, schools and municipal buildings that had been converted into V.A.D hospitals throughout the county, convalescing soldiers at Dunsdale would find the gardens a quiet and idyllic environment ideal for recuperation of mind, body and soul…
Reference: WH0748