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Shotley House Cottage, Shotley Bridge


16th Durham Voluntary Aid Detachment Hospital


Type: Hospital

Built as Shotley House circa 1860 for J. Priestman. Shotley House was used as the 16th Durham Voluntary Aid Detachment Hospital during the First World War.

The following information comes from records held at the archives at the Museum of the Order of St John, and is used with their kind permission. Reference OSJ/1/1/12/13:

VAD Hospital, Shotley House, Shotley
September 15th 1917

Commandant: Miss Walton Wilson

Hospital: This is a house which has been lent for the purpose of a hospital by C Laing Esq

Beds: 40 beds in
6 wards, also a surgery

Trained staff: 1 Sister-in-Charge
1 Sister

Massage: 1 visiting Masseuse

VADs: 7 work in shifts. All live out and are unable to give full time.

Paid help: 1 Kitchen maid
1 House maid

Remarks: This little convalescent hospital is in good order and has every convenience. There is a good garden, recreation room, and mess room. The food and cooking arrangements are good.

Signed: SA Swift


J Rowsell, an online contributor to Durham at War, reported that John Cairns was a patient here. No further details were given.

For further information:
Museum of the Order of St John http://museumstjohn.org.uk/research/st-john-archive/
VAD Hospitals in Northumberland and Durham 1914-1918 http://www.donmouth.co.uk/local_history/VAD/VAD_hospitals.html
Scarlet Finders http://www.scarletfinders.co.uk/181.html

Civil Parish: Benfieldside

Contributed by Durham County Council Archaeology Section | Durham County Record Office