Eileen Thompson {nee Smith}
A former Heatherwood patient recalls their experiences at a dearly loved hospital.
Eileen Thompson who after discovering the web site recently, contacted us:-
Dear Secretary,
I don't know the exact sequence of events that brought me to Heatherwood Hospital. I know that I had operations on my neck for TB glands at both the London Hospital in Whitechapel & because we were evacuated there-Northampton General-which I presume was the hospital that sent me on to Heatherwood.
For a while I had to wear some sort of 'brace' that held my back rigid, it consisted of a flat metal bar that went from the back of my head down to my middle & strapped around my forehead & waist. The purpose was obviously to keep my spine immobile. I don't remember worrying about it at all.
Singalong
There was one other girl who wore the same thing, her name was Rosie. I remember there was a nurse who used to sing 'Sweet Rosie O'Grady' to us. One other girl I remember was called Ann. She was in what I think was a plaster caste from her legs up to her chest & of course laid flat on her back all the time. I can only remember girls being there, mostly older. I do recall the lovely singing mentioned on the web site. The music stayed with me and into my later years. I currently sing with a Big Band!
Family Visits
The only visit I can remember from my family was on my 6th birthday 15th March 1943. My auntie had given my Mum and my sister some cream cakes for me but I wasn't feeling very well that day & had no appetite.( what a waste )still I expect my sister enjoyed them. I was also given a 'Lucy Atwell Annual' which I loved.
Make Your Bed
The day to day life of the hospital I remember very well. The able bodied among us were taught how to make our beds in the morning. Sister Morrison was very strict about the precise way the corners of the sheets & blankets should be done & the exact positioning of the counterpane{ bedspread }. It stayed with me throughout my life. I couldn't bear to sleep in an untidy bed. Eventually the habit was broken by the fashion for fitted sheets & 'duvets'.
Lessons on the Veranda
I recall the lovely sunny days doing lessons out on the veranda & particularly learning to read. I had a real break-through one day when the teacher {most probably Miss Brook}got one of the older girls to help me. A bit like learning to use this computer, it suddenly opened up a whole new world to me.
War Time Americans Visit
Because it was war-time we had visits from servicemen. Apparently I told my Mum that one of the nurses was going to marry an American soldier. One of the Americans took a cine-film of a group of us. We had to walk towards him & off to one side one at a time. He came back another time to show us the film. I couldn't recognise myself so I thought I wasn't on it, I was quite disappointed.
There is a staff nurse in one of your archive pictures who I remember very well. She was a real favourite. When we'd hear the guns firing, at enemy aircraft, or even some-times watching things going on; up in the sky, she would tease us by saying “Poor Germans” I look back now and think how enlightened she was. I remember a particularly peculiar thing when we watched planes going over dropping boxes/cases attached to parachutes. They were some distance away but they burst into flames before they reached the ground. When I think back about it now, I wonder if I dreamt the whole thing.
Christmas
At Christmas there was a huge tree in the middle of the ward with unwrapped presents around the base. I don't know if they were donated gifts, but anyway I was given a bunny. He was upright & furry, blue with brown curly fur trousers. I loved him! Some of us were taken out to a 'Soldiers' party in the town. I remember sitting on a soldier's lap and how uncomfortable his uniform buttons were.
Discharge
I can remember crying on the day I was to leave Heatherwood. A nurse carried me in to what I think was a laundry room, because there were lagged pipes and it was lovely and warm. We must have been sorting out clothes for me. She comforted me and must have persuaded me that I would like the place I was going to, because I cheered up. It was a convalescent home called Daneswood & I was very happy there too. Unfortunately I can't seem to find out anything about that one.
Eileen Thompson {nee Smith} November 2002