Anglo Boer War - Rosneath Hospital Home

Rosneath Hospital Home

County: Dumbartonshire
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 1900-1902
Number issued: c. 120

Bronze pendants, to:

2nd Bn. Royal Berkshire Regiment –

5180 Private J. HUGHES (invalided 10/04/1902)

and a further c. 120 soldiers who passed through The Princess Louise (Duchess of Argyll's) Transfer Hospital Home for Soldiers, Rosneath.

Obverse with the cypher of H.R.H. Princess Louise on a Red Cross, within a wreath of laurels (in enamels).

Reverse: "1900 / Rosneath / Hospital / Home / J.W. Hughes".

As Private Hughes was invalided in April 1902, it seems the medals were distributed with the 1900 inscription and that the recipients' names were added later.

Gildea states that "since the Hospital opened [in early 1900] 120 patients have been received and treated, of whom about forty were wounded, some very severely, the rest being invalided from enteric and other diseases".

Rosneath Hospital medal 02 s

Reverse of Rosneath pendant. Purchased with 3-claps QSA to 5180 Pte J. Hughes, 2nd Rl. Berks. Regt.

Gildea, 1902

Constantine Collection

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Gildea 1902, "For King and Country", p. 105

THE PRINCESS LOUISE (DUCHESS OF ARGYLL’S) TRANSFER HOSPITAL FOR SOLDIERS. Rosneath, Dumbartonshire.

This Hospital was opened early in 1900, and has carried on ever since [1902]. The building, which is self-contained, is close to the old “Ferry” Inn at Rosneath, and was built by Her Royal Highness for her own use. It is situated on the Garelock, in beautiful scenery, and the position being above the sea level and in pure air, leads itself to the quick recovery of patients.

Soon after the commencement of the War it was entirely refurnished and equipped throughout as a Hospital for sixteen patients. It was originally offered as a Convalescent Home for the sick and wounded of the various Scottish Regiments returning from South Africa; but in September 1900 it was nominated by the Secretary of State for War as a “Transfer” Hospital, and receives patients from the Military Hospitals under the direction of the Principal Medical Officer of the Scottish District.

The Funds have been provided by her Royal Highness the Princess Louise, supplemented by a grant from the Lord Mayor’s Discretionary Fund and various contributions, including the proceeds of a concert given by the Glasgow Highlanders (Volunteers) and by one given at Helensburgh. Since the Hospital opened 120 patients have been received and treated, of whom about forty were wounded, some very severely, the rest being invalided from enteric and other diseases. Many of these have returned to duty and some to South Africa, only one death, that of Private E. Morrison, of the Gordon Highlanders, having occurred. The Staff consists of Sisters Liddell and Taylor (who have been in charge since the Hospital opened), a cool and a wardwoman. Professor MacEwen, Dr I. MacEwen, and Dr James Allen, of Glasgow, have given their constant attendance whenever needed, Dr Alexander, of Kilcreggan, being daily Medical Attendant. Great kindness in various ways has been shown to the patients by all classes in the neighbourhood. The patients have frequently expressed themselves as thoroughly happy and comfortable, and may interesting letters have been received from men since they left the Hospital, especially from those who have returned to South Africa.

Rosneath Hospital medal 03