Friday 28 May 2010

IMAGES OF THE ALEX


Hesketh WardConvalescents' Dining HallOpen air treatmentBoys' balconyMurray Browne WardSalt water bathHere are more items from Diana Davies in Canada. These relate to previous posts about Royal Alexandra Hospital, Marine Drive, Rhyl. They are postcards of photos by Rae Pickard and would be from the early 1900s when the Alex was a children’s’ hospital.

From the top: (a) Hesketh Ward (this picture was sent in by John Powell as well - thanks John); (b) convalescents’ dining hall; (c) open-air treatment, the intended use of the balconies; (d) boys’ balcony; (e) Murray Browne Ward; and (f) the salt-water bath – so much safer than the sea.

There are more pictures from Diana in the pipeline.

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SUN 14th OCT 2018 UPDATE: Another image of the Alex by Rae Pickard, a shot of the Convalescents' Dining Hall.


Upper centre on the far wall is a sign carrying the chilling message:
CHRIST IS THE MASTER OF THIS HOUSE,
THE UNSEEN GUEST AT EVERY MEAL,
THE SILENT HEARER OF EVERY CONVERSATION.

In those days religion was Big Brother. It was a significant factor in health care and even more so in education. Children were brainwashed, bullied and threatened ideologically by church and state. When they went to war they really believed it was for God and the King (or Queen). Doubts were not permitted.

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