Military Hospital Wheatley

I should explain. Jean, along with another Jean Smith (ex Manchester Royal Neuro), were primarily responsible for me taking up nursing. After basic training (National Service) I was posted to Wheatley to await a course at Alan and Handbury, medical instrument makers as I was to work in medical stores. However, the Suez Crisis occurred and we needed more nursing orderlies on the neuro ward where there were many head and spinal injuries. One morning I was instructed by the RSM to report to Matron in my 'best' uniform which I duly did but only after having a bout of 'intestinal hurry'!! I had seen this lady and her entourage sweeping down the open corridor each morning to her office!! (name of Gara or O'Gara I think). She informed me that I was to work on NS1 which I duly did and had a fantastic time under the 2 ladies mentioned, as well as other sisters.





These were the days of Mr Walpole Lewin (Radcliffe) who went on to the Cambridge. Many of the patients were in wheelchairs and we used to go back to the ward after lunch and take (or was it race) them down into Wheatley village to the pub - all the locals were great with the patients - happy days.

To complete the story - I searched out Jean Grieve near Plymouth on holiday with my wife in 2006 as it was my 50 years in nursing - we took her out for afternoon tea and then she showed us around her house and studio in the garden - she is now an artist. It was good to say thank you after all those years.