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VAD Hospital patient with donkey, Quex Park
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VAD Hospital patient with donkey, Quex Park
A VAD hospital patient is standing with a donkey outside the back door to Quex House. On the reverse of the photograph is written Jenny. D.P.C.s donkey (Diana Powell-Cotton (1908-1986) daughter of Major PHG Powell-Cotton). The man has a stick under his left arm and is holding the donkeys rope halter in his right hand. He is wearing the patients uniform of hospital blues. The uniform of jacket and trousers was made of blue serge. A white shirt and red tie completed the uniform. Patients retained their regimental caps, although in this case the man seems to have a ribbon bow in place of his regimental badge. In the background on the left can be seen the outdoor dairy and the game larder. The door led into the servants area of the Quex House - kitchens, pantry, servants accommodation etc. Major Powell-Cotton retained his domestic staff for the war period. They did the cooking for the hospital and looked after all areas of the House except the hospital wards which were under the control of the VAD workers. The Quex Park VAD Hospital opened on 15 October 1914 and closed on 31 January 1919. The hospital was run by Kent/178, the Birchington Detachment. The Commandant was Hannah Powell-Cotton (1881-1964), wife of Major Percy HG Powell-Cotton (1866-1940) of Quex Park, founder of the Powell-Cotton Museum. Date: 1915
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Media ID 14305170
© The Powell-Cotton Museum Collection / Mary Evans Picture Library
Blues Caps Case Completed Cotton Diana Donkey Donkeys Halter Jenny Major Patient Patients Powell Regimental Retained Reverse Rope Serge Shirt Stick Trousers Written Made
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures the moment of respite and connection between a VAD (Voluntary Aid Detachment) hospital patient and a donkey named Diana Powell-Cotton's (1908-1986) at Quex Park VAD Hospital in 1915. The man, dressed in his hospital blues uniform, wears a white shirt, red tie, and holds a stick under his left arm while managing the donkey's rope halter in his right hand. The serene backdrop of Quex House's outdoor dairy and game larder adds to the peaceful scene. Quex Park VAD Hospital, run by Kent/178, the Birchington Detachment, opened on October 15, 1914, and closed on January 31, 1919. Major Percy HG Powell-Cotton (1866-1940) of Quex Park, founder of the Powell-Cotton Museum, and his wife Hannah Powell-Cotton (1881-1964) served as the hospital's commandant. During the war period, Major Powell-Cotton retained his domestic staff, who cooked for the hospital and managed all areas of the house except the hospital wards, which were under the control of the VAD workers. The image offers a glimpse into the daily life of the hospital, revealing the unique blend of care, community, and companionship that existed during this challenging time. The presence of the donkey, a common form of transportation and therapy during the war, further emphasizes the importance of small moments of joy and connection amidst the hardships of wartime.
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