The first wounded veterans admitted to the Princess Louise Scottish Hospital for Limbless Sailors and Soldiers did so one hundred years ago today on 10th October 1916.
Now better known as Erskine, the veterans’ charity saw 13 patients come through the doors of the pioneering hospital when it opened a century ago.
The first patient was Corporal James Ritson of the 1/5th Royal Scots Fusiliers, a 29 year-old rigger from Troon in Ayrshire. All of the men except Corporal Ritson and a Sergeant J Campbell, age 28 from Glasgow, were Privates.
They came from throughout Scotland to the newly opened hospital to be fitted with prosthetic limbs. Of the first 13 patients admitted seven had suffered injuries to their arms which required amputation while six had severe leg injuries. They also came from various regiments including the Gordon Highlanders; Highland Light Infantry and the Black Watch.
The second patient in the admissions book a Private J Cowie, age 32, came from Peterhead, with the last admission on Erskine’s first day, Private D Pearson of the Kings Own Scottish Borders, age 25, came from Dumfries.
One of the most striking things from the first page in Erskine’s admissions book was the young age of all the wounded soldiers. The oldest, aged just 35, was Private J Hughes from Larkhall with the youngest being only 19 years old – Private J Watt from Edinburgh. Private Watt’s amputation is stated as left leg below the knee. He was discharged just over one month later on 15th November 1916 with the rest of his life to live with a life changing injury.
All of the first patients were discharged by the Christmas of 1916 except for Private Chas Tayne, age 21 from Glasgow, who lost part of his left arm in battle and was not discharged until 18th January 1917.
Between the opening in October 1916 and January 1917, 144 patients were admitted to Erskine, including Sergeant Adam McWilliam Lennie of the 1st Black Watch who was the 60th entry in the admissions book. He lost his right leg at Mesopotamia in 1916 and spent six months in the hospital. Photographs of Sergeant Lennie taken during his time at Erskine have survived a century.
By 1924, 8000 of the 41,000 permanently disabled veterans in Britain had been treated at Erskine, with 6400 supplied with artificial limbs. Since then Erskine has cared for over 85,000 ex-Service men and women and more recently their spouses.
Erskine Chief Executive Steve Conway said: “The 10th October 1916 is a very significant date in the history of Erskine. It is important that we pause and remember the 85,000 veterans we have cared for throughout the past 100 years. Looking at the first few pages of the Princess Louise Scottish Hospital for Limbless Sailors and Soldiers admission book poignantly brings home the devastating effect trench warfare had on the lives of individuals and communities and how the hospital played a pivotal role in their future.”
Anyone interested in seeing the first admissions book is in luck as there is currently an exhibition at the University of Glasgow’s Hunterian Museum – In War and Peace: The Erskine Story. Entry is free with the exhibition running until 8th January 2017. A new book has also been launched this year – A Century of Care – Erskine 1916-2016 – which charts the history of the hospital featuring personal stories of patients, staff, cottage residents, supporters, volunteers and the hospital’s first great surgeon, Sir William Macewen.
Various events are taking place within the next couple of days to commemorate this special date in Erskine’s history. On Friday 7th October the Erskine Centenary Ball is taking place at Mar Hall Hotel (which used to be Erskine Hospital). On Monday 10th October, Edinburgh Castle will be lit purple in honour of our centenary year. Also on Monday, there will be a fireworks display on the Erskine Estate for residents and staff.
