First Eastern General Hospital

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History of the First Eastern General Hospital

At the outbreak of WWI a temporary home was needed for the First Eastern General Hospital while more permanent quarters were being built. On mobilisation its territorial and reservist staff were assembled at the Leys School, but soon more spacious quarters were found in Trinity College, in Neville’s Court, under the Wren Library.

First Great Eastern Hospital 1914 (MoC17/76)

Newnham, Selwyn colleges and Military Hospital circa WWI

See University of Cambridge film by Dr Sarah Baylis, From the Front to the Backs.

There is a different version of Dr Baylis’s film available on Youtube:

For more information follow this link:

“Nevile’s Court a Hospital…”: The First Eastern General Hospital

Edward Conybeare recorded in his diaries events at the hospital day by day:

1914 15th August – Neviles Court turned into hospital. Took F [Mrs Conybeare] in hansom to see Trinity cloisters being floored for hospital.

The message on the back of the example of this postcard from the Museum of Cambridge makes it clear that those in the picture are Belgian wounded.

First Eastern General Hospital – post card message

Embroidery by unknown convalescing soldier at First Great Eastern © Museum of Cambridge

Operating Theatre 1st Eastern General Hospital

Ward 6 1st Eastern General Hospital (J Palmer Clarke)

First Eastern General Hospital Trinity College Nov 1914

Harry Johnson’s stall in Burrell’s Walk at the entrance to the First Eastern General Hospital in WWI

Ward No.6 1st Eastern General Hospital

1916: visit of George V to First Eastern General Hospital. King greeted by Colonel J Griffith, commander of hospital.

1916 3rd August

Visit of George V

King George V Visit

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