The next morning I was still in agony and the warden of the YHA hostel took me to Savernake Hospital in his small car. I was seen straight away and after telling the doctor what had happened x rays showed I had fractured my spine. I was admitted and told I would be spending the next couple of months in bed, flat on my back. I was put into a small side ward with only five beds, it had windows on two sides giving views across to the woods and the car park at the front of the building. All of this was a bit of a shock to a 17 year old Londoner far from home. I remember the ward sister did her best to put me at ease saying the man in the next bed was a Londoner and we could talk cockney to one another.I soon became friends with another young man in the ward named Jim. He was from Birmungham and had been in the area on a TA exercise when he suffered a broken leg. Jim’s leg was in traction.

I soon became familiar with the ward routine which included matrons morning round when she talked to the patients. I reached the conclusion from matrons manner and bearing that she was very much in charge and well respected by staff. I also got to know some of the staff – doctors, nurses and domestics. They were marvellous, nothing was too much trouble for them and patient care came first. I cannot remember the ward sisters name. Sister was in her early 30s and told me she had nursed in the far east towrads the end of the war. She was a model of profesionalism and kind to me. Beryl Horne was the staff nurse – Beryl was from Oxford. Other nurses were Peggy deGama a delightful young lady from Bombay and two young nurses who’s names I cannot remember – one from Swindon the other from Westbury. There was also a middle aged nurse who wore a different style and colour uniform. There were several male nurses who took their turns on the ward. They were Dennis Skuse and Jim Colley plus a middle age, well built man who’s name I cannot remember.

A long term patient in the ward was Don. He was from Nottingham and had been working in the area and lodging at Ogbourne. Don had been knocked off his motorcycle. When Don went home it left Bill and myself as the only long stay patients. While Jim and I had to stay in our beds many other patients came and went. They were short stay who after having their operations and a period of recovery were soon off home. They were all local people and from them I picked up the local new and what was happening in the area. I remember one patient, Norma Heap, who was a one man band running the local electricity, or was it the gas office in Marlborough. Norman was a colourful character who said he lived in a caravan. Norman was well known in Marlborough and he always had lots of visitors. Norman was the only patient I heard complain to matron when she made her morning round. Matron was not pleased at being taken to task in front of her staff and patients. She soon put Norman in his place. There was an engine driver from Swindon and I enjoyed talking about trains with him. Another patient who I cannot forget was an elderly man who rumours said was a sheperd up on the downs.He seemed completly lost and bewildered by the hospital and routine – he hardly said a word to anyone. George Edmonds a young man from Hungerford arrived and went home. George was a cheeky lad and we had many laughs together. Another memorable local character was Percy Flipance, an elderly, ruddy faced man with a mop of whit hair. Percy was a real gentleman. He was the landlord of the ‘French Horn’ pub at Pewsey. Percy took charge of making the evening drinks, usually Ovaltine and he sang the Ovaltinies radio commercial as he served up the drinks.I never took up Percys invitation to visit the French Horn. Another patient owned a garage at Avebury. He said he would give me a set of ESSO road maps if I called into his garage. Another offer I did not take up.

The day came when I was told I had made progress and would be put in a plaster jacket and sent home. My local hospital had been told and they would be contacting me at home. Having been encased in plaster I was disappointed when I was told I would be spending a few more days in bed. The time arrived when I was allowed up and despite being in a heavy, cumbersome plaster jacket I was so pleased to be back on my feet again.

The hospital had by now made arrangements for me to travel home. On a Saturday morning I was a little sad when it came to saying goodbye to the staff and Jim, he was still in traction.A car and escort took me to Savernake Station to catch the morning train to Paddington. At Paddington another car, together with the same escort, took me across London to my home.

All this happened 55 years ago. Still fresh in my memory is the marvellous care and treatment plus the sheer dedication and professionalism of the staff which I expereinced at Savernake all those years ago. My grateful thanks to all of you and Savernake Hospital.

I have always said I will revisit Marlborough and Savernake Hospital, to stroll down memory lane and see at first hand the old cottage hospital. Time is running out so perhaps 2010 will see me there again.

Brian Ward
2 January 2010