VAD Hospital patient with donkey, Quex Park

A VAD hospital patient is standing with a donkey outside the back door to Quex House. On the reverse of the photograph is written Jenny'. D.P.C.'s donkey (Diana Powell-Cotton (1908-1986) daughter of Major PHG Powell-Cotton). The man has a stick under his left arm and is holding the donkey's rope halter in his right hand. He is wearing the patients uniform of hospital blues'. The uniform of jacket and trousers was made of blue serge. A white shirt and red tie completed the uniform. Patients retained their regimental caps, although in this case the man seems to have a ribbon bow in place of his regimental badge. In the background on the left can be seen the outdoor dairy and the game larder. The door led into the servants area of the Quex House - kitchens, pantry, servants accommodation etc. Major Powell-Cotton retained his domestic staff for the war period. They did the cooking for the hospital and looked after all areas of the House except the hospital wards which were under the control of the VAD workers. 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

Accommodation Although Brichington Commandant Dairy Detachment Donkeys Except Halter Kitchens Larder Looked Pantry Patients Percy Quex Recuperation Regimental Rehabilitation Retained Seems Serge Servants Voluntary Wards

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