The Hope War, Russian Hospital for British Officers, WW1
The Hope Ward of the Russian Hospital for British Officers, located at 8, South Audley Street, London W1. The house was lent by its owner, Sir Berkeley Sheffield to M. and Mme. Mouravieff Apostol who were part of the Russian Red Cross Society in England. After the completion of necessary alterations to meet up-to-date medical requirements the Hospital opened its door to the first convoy of patients in October 1916 after a Russian Service of Blessing conducted by a priest of the Russian Embassy. This picture, was painted by Kate M. Wyatt, Commandant of the British Red Cross Society's Detachment, London No. 52 and Hon. Secretary of the Chelsea Division of the Society. The decor of the war was a Russian scheme of blue and white and the accompanying article in Colour magazine describes the jolly atmosphere with officers enjoying cigarettes, making jokes and listening to piano and gramophone selections
