A History of the Royal Hospital Chelsea 1682–2017 by Stephen Wynn Tanya Wynn

Author:Stephen Wynn, Tanya Wynn [Stephen Wynn, Tanya Wynn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: History, Europe, Great Britain, General, Medical, Caregiving
ISBN: 9781526720177
Google: vF1tuQEACAAJ
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Limited
Published: 2019-01-15T00:45:12+00:00

Figure 42: General The Lord Walker of Aldringham.

He is yet another man who brought with him to the role of Governor of Royal Hospital Chelsea, a significant wealth of military experience. He retired in September 2018.

When looking at the list of men who have served as the Governor of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, one can’t but fail to be impressed with their credentials, nearly all of them having experienced war at its worst.

Chapter 9

The First World War at the Hospital

Friday, 7 August 1914 saw an inquest take place at Chelsea Town Hall, where the Coroner, Mr Walter Schroder, and a jury, looked into the circumstances surrounding the death of William Harvey, an in–pensioner at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, who died with tragic suddenness on the evening of Monday, 3 August 1914.

It was down to Colour Sergeant Winterholder, of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, to provide the formal evidence of identification and confirm that the deceased had formerly served in the 74th Highlanders Regiment. He had been an in-pensioner at the Royal Hospital since May 1912, and had enjoyed a period of sustained good health in the two years since, although when he first arrived at the hospital, he had been somewhat emaciated and in need of a good meal.

The Coroner:‘Was he a man of sober habits?’

Colour Sergeant Winterholder:‘I could not call him a drunkard, but at times he took rather more than was good for him. Still, I never saw him incapacitated.’

The Coroner:‘When did you last see him alive?’

Colour Sergeant Winterholder:‘One day last week. He then seemed quite all right.’

The Coroner:‘Did he ever tell you whether he had any relatives?’

Colour Sergeant Winterholder:‘When he entered the hospital he said he had no relatives.’

The Coroner:‘Was he friendly with everybody?’

Colour Sergeant Winterholder:‘Yes, on the whole.’

Private William Smith of the Coldstream Guards, who was stationed at nearby Chelsea Barracks, told the court that he did not know the deceased, William Harvey. His account was that about ten o’clock on the evening of 3 August, he was walking along Lower Sloane Street, heading towards Chelsea Barracks when he caught sight of the deceased on the opposite side of the road who appeared to be in some difficulty. He noticed that the man was holding on to the railings as he walked along and a short while later he sat down on the front steps of a house. Private Smith then crossed over the road to see if he could provide any assistance to the elderly gentleman and asked him where he had been. Mr Harvey’s only reply was, ‘I think I’ve been drugged.’ Private Smith and another soldier then slowly carried Mr Harvey back to the Royal Hospital, where they handed him over to the duty sergeant.

The Coroner then asked Private Smith a couple of questions.‘Was the deceased injured in any way?’

Private Smith:‘Not that I could see.’

The Coroner:‘Was there any sign of a struggle?’

Private Smith:‘No sir. All of the clothing was in order.’

Police Constable John Henry Wilson, who was stationed at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, gave

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