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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 mis-directed 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.”