A copy of this delightful little rhyme was brought in by Romaine Daw. She is a distant relative of Jack Spratt – the legendary clock maker of Wootton Rivers. We discovered that Jack Spratt also made the “Collecting Cottage” that so many people remembered and Dr Nick & Kate have loaned to us for the Exhibition. We do not know when Jack made this – but almost certainly after one of his stays in Savernake Hospital – a hospital to which he was very grateful and clearly loved. Record searches can be made prior to 1909 – maybe we’ll find when the stone was removed – a stone which we hear was saved at his request and later used as a pendulum for a clock!

We’re very grateful to Vonnie and Den Dickens and to Romaine Daw for this wonderful insight into the life of Jack Spratt and look forward to seeing more letters that are still in existence!

My Impressions in Savernake Hospital

My Doctor said “Yours is a hospital case,
You must go to Savernake, it’s a nice place,
They’ll soon put you right and will treat you well too”,
So I went and I found his words came quite true.
Those doctors are the most clever Gentlemen,
Dr Haydon soon spotted my trouble and then,
They opened me to remove what caused the pain,
Then nicely fitted me together again.
The Prostate Gland they took away while I slept,
It had stopped the passage and through that I’d wept.
Years later they took from me quite a large stone,
Which had caused me to utter, many a groan.
They’ve a wonderful eye, which they placed over me,
And with that everything inside they could see.
There’s hundreds of things they do I cannot mention,
Such wonderful things are beyond my comprehension.
Their excellent skill in the war that they wage,
Against disease, just points to a miracle age.
Yes doctors they are the more praiseworthy band
I think they are some of the best in the land.
Then there is Matron – the life of the place,
She is surely running an excellent race,
Always at her post, morning, noon, or at night,
To relieve distress and make patients feel bright.
A ministering Angel, she has won that title
She knows and she does everything that is vital.
Her greatest pleasure is to make others well,
The Noblest Ideal, that I’ve ever heard tell.
She lets our friends come to see us every day,
Her kindness is Law, I just trust and obey,
The Staff of good nurses, in uniforms white,
Are models of cheerfulness, homely and bright
Efficiency, Patience, Kindness and Care,
Are virtues that if looked for may be found there.
They’d come and attend to my wants with a smile,
Tho I was a bit troublesome for a while.
Still as I got better, the more pleased were they,
And helped me get out in the sunshine each day.
And then well enough, in the forest I’d roam,
Because Savernake Hospital is a lovely home.
Built upon the hill, mid life, giving fresh air,
Adjoining the forest mid scenery rare,
Splendid new wards have sprung up by leaps and bounds,
The new Nurses Homes, too are built in the grounds.
Great benefits for me the hospital’s staffs done,
Tender my heartiest thanks to each one.

A thankful patient

J.K. Spratt July 1931