Christmas 1918 in A Ward at Quex Park VAD Hospital

A Ward in the Drawing Room of Quex House on Christmas Day 1918. The room is highly decorated with flags, greetings, paper decorations and festive greenery. In the doorway at the far side the three daughters of the family - Diana, Antoinette and Mary Powell-Cotton (left to right) are standing with a woman, perhaps their Governess. To the left of this group stands Camille Van Dyck, the Belgian patient who remained at Quex Park throughout the War, working as a Hospital Orderly. He had been struck dumb by shock in 1914. Further left can be seen two VAD staff - a nurse is rolling a bandage with the help of a patient. Seated is Jack Hedge, the Masseur, treating a patient. Standing on the right below the Christmas greeting can be seen the bearded and crowned figure of Santa Claus, with a sack over his shoulder. In fact this was Hannah Powell-Cotton dressed for the part. The Quex Park VAD Hospital opened on 15 October 1914 and closed on 31 January 1919. The hospital was run by Kent/178, the Birchington Detachment. The Commandant was Hannah Powell-Cotton (1881-1964), wife of Major Percy HG Powell-Cotton (1866-1940) of Quex Park, founder of the Powell-Cotton Museum

1866 Antoinette Bandage Bearded Birchington Camille Commandant Crowned Detachment Dumb Dyck Fact Festive Further Governess Greenery Hedge Highly Masseur Orderly Percy Perhaps Quex Recuperation Rehabilitation Remained Sack Struck Throughout Treating Voluntary

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