Supplement to 53rd report / Queen Victoria Cottage Hospital..

  • Queen Victoria Cottage Hospital (East Grinstead, England)
Date:
1941
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Supplement to 53rd report / Queen Victoria Cottage Hospital.. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    The Maxillonians. Probably as a direct result of the excellent spirit which was fostered in the Hospital during and after the Battle of Britain the patients themselves formed a Club which they called the “Maxill- onian Club.,, Its object was to promote good fellowship and to cement the many friendships which were formed not only between the patients themselves but with the Medical Staff. As its secondary object it had in mind the preservation of this spirit of mutual helpfulness which in many cases will be valuable and necessary after the war. Most of the members of this club are R.A.F. per¬ sonnel inasmuch as a high proportion of all severely burnt pilots and air crews have passed through the Hospital. During the year a most successful Reunion Dinner was held (at the Whitehall) by some 60 R.A.F. members, some of whom came from stations in Scotland and North England to attend. The guest of honour was the C.-in-C. Air-Chief Marshal Sir Sholto Douglas. It is an excellent commentary on the splendid spirit which exists in the Hospital that such a function could take place. Among the many factors which have contributed to it are the deep interest and sympathy of the Board of Management, under the able Chairmanship of Mr. Edward Blount, the activities of a strong Welfare Committee, and lastly—but possibly as important as any other single factor—the unselfish help and genuine interest of the Community in which the Hospital is placed. Few patients for instance will fail to remember the many kindnesses of Mr. William (Bill) Gardner, of Mr. Louis Roney, and of Major George Mappin. These are only a few of the many who have contributed so much to making what could be a depressing experience into a period to look back upon with something akin to pleasure. It must be admitted, however, that these undertakings and extra comforts which cannot be expected from Governmental sources are expensive. Time, thought and money have been expended upon them and we would appeal to those who read these words to remember that even in these hard times no better object for financial help could be chosen than the Queen Victoria Maxillo-Facial Unit, East Grinstead. The beneficiaries will be the men of Dunkirk, the men “to whom so many owe so much,” the men from the sea, the men of Malta, and of Libya, the men, women and children of a dozen bombed cities. There are no administrative charges. There is no better cause. Finally, it is a pleasure to record my thanks to the Medical, Nursing, and Administrative Staffs, for their devoted work and willing co-operation throughout the year. Their achievement has been a notable one and has depended upon a strong sense of com¬ radeship and a full understanding of the real team spirit. It is the spirit which compels Victory. Archibald H. McIndoe.
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