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“Jan. 1917 (Kentish Times)
The Queen’s Auxiliary Hospital for Sailors and Soldiers suffering from facial injuries.

The Queen’s Auxiliary Hospital, for sailors and soldiers suffering from facial injuries, which
is being established at Frognal, near Sidcup, and which her Majesty (Queen Mary) is taking
a great interest, is to be a model of its kind and probably the first to be established in the
United Kingdom. The hospital is being established under the auspices of the British Red
Cross Society and Order of St. John. A primary hospital for the accommodation of about
200 cases, with operating theatres for plastic and dental surgery construction on the most
modern scientific principles is being erected immediately adjacent to Frognal where it will
be possible to deal with a large number of the worst cases and to continue their
convalescent treatment in country air and in delightful surroundings. These gallant lads, as
they recover, will have an opportunity of learning a trade or gaining experience in outdoor
occupations such as egg production on the intensive system, and the cultivation of fruit
and vegetables and general farm work will form some of the most attractive features of this
model institution.

The scheme is planned and is being organised by Charles H. Kenderdine. It will doubtless
supply a great need and its value to our worst broken men cannot be over-estimated. The
Committees of the British Red Cross Society and Order of St. John and the National Relief
Fund have generously provided grants to enable a start to be made. Frognal was the
residence of the late Earl Sydney and has been secured, with the consent of the present
owner, Hugh S. Marchant Townshend, for five years. There it is proposed to concentrate a
large number of these special cases amidst delightful surroundings and country air, to
endeavour to secure the welfare and future of the men, whilst brightening their lives during
convalescence. Extensive gardens and a farm of 100 acres are attached to the house
where they, with a view to their future employment, will be instructed in outdoor
employment, such as gardening, market-gardening, dairy work, poultry-keeping, forestry,
etc. In addition, work-shops will be provided for practical instruction in estate carpentry
and other handicrafts, and work in connection with electricity, agricultural machinery and
motion traction.

Among our wounded sailors and soldiers, none perhaps deserve our sympathy and
compassion, more than those who have grievous facial injuries, in many cases of such
nature as to render them at first almost unrecognisable. The best surgical skill is
fortunately available to relieve immediate suffering, but cases of this character require care
during long period of convalescence. It is with the object of securing this special care and
treatment that this hospital is being established in delightful surroundings in the
country. Here the men will be received following their stay in naval and military hospitals.

The marvels of present-day surgery can effect cures in 90 per cent of cases if sufficient
time and careful nursing are available, but experience shows that a period of from on to
two years is needed to build up and restore the features of the men who would otherwise
be permanently disfigured. Many of the patients are so conscious of their affliction that
they refuse to return home to their friends and family until they are convinced that
everything possible has been done for them. No effort must be spared to give these men -
many of them mere lads - a fresh interest and new start in life, preferably in the country,
and make them realise that they are not useless wrecks. If this not done, many will drift to
the towns on their discharge from the services, only to become objects of pity and
frequently the recipients of misdirected charity. NCOs and men from our overseas
Dominions will be received and cared for equally with those of the Mother Country and
everything that surgical skill can accomplish will be done for them before they return
home.”

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