Untitled: Walter J.E. Elliott memoir

urn:iso:std:iso:639:ed-3:eng

65

text excerpt

[Walter Elliott was seriously wounded in the neck and made deaf in his left ear in March 1916. He spent a period of time convalescing at the Michie Hospital, Queens Gate, London, set up during the First World War to treat wounded soldiers]

The Michie Hospital, I mean the building itself was owned or rented by Mrs Michie, I believe she was a daughter of Lord Reading, for he himself sometimes came in to have a chat with us. Some of the Red Cross nurses were Titled Ladys [sic], one of their jobs, beside waiting on us at mealtimes, was cleaning knives, forks and spoons, beside washing up all the dishes. Sapper Fox, who I palled up with must have been an Irishman for he was always humming the Irish Guard march tune. We two, nearly every morning, went down into the basement,  of our own free will, to help these splendid Ladys, they said, “If you gentlemen would kindly do the knives we would be most greatful, [sic]because none of us like that job”. Yes, Titled Ladies calling we two ordinary Sappers, gentlemen […] There was a big massive electric organ in our ward which we were allowed to play at certain times, sometimes it missed a note and went ‘Phitz’. One of the Sappers, asked me if I knew anything about electric organs, of course I didn’t, but I said it sounded as though the brushes of the motor were worn. He wanted to have a look so off came our coats, we opened a small door at the back […] we took the motor out, reversed the brushes, put it all back then started the organ up, we had cured the trouble. 

excerpt from 'Untitled: Walter J.E. Elliott memoir' pp. 65 (284 words)

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1532522875099