Exhibition remembers Southam’s VAD nurses

The fascinating stories of women from in and near Southam who gave up their time to tend to sick and wounded soldiers during the First World War will be remembered, thanks to a history group in the town.
By The Newsroom
Published 24th May 2014, 08:00 BST
Members of Southam's Heritage Collection group Linda Doyle and Val Brodie launch the group's commemorative exhibition on First World War VAD nurses.Members of Southam's Heritage Collection group Linda Doyle and Val Brodie launch the group's commemorative exhibition on First World War VAD nurses.
Members of Southam's Heritage Collection group Linda Doyle and Val Brodie launch the group's commemorative exhibition on First World War VAD nurses.

Southam’s Heritage Collection group have collected photographs, letters and spoken word memories of First World War VAD nurses from the area from their descendants and created a commemorative exhibition to go on display this summer - and last week, they invited those descendants to a special event to launch the exhibition.

The nurses worked at the Red Cross Hospital at the Grange in Southam, where more than 1,000 wounded soldiers were cared for during the conflict.

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Exhibition organiser and Southam Heritage Collection group member Val Brodie said: “I spoke to two sisters who have a photograph of their mother in her VAD nurse’s uniform, but said she never mentioned it to them.

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“It has been quite a journey for some people to realise that they have something else to remember their mothers, aunts or grandmothers by.

“All these nurses also had jobs and family responsibilities - and this was really hard work. I did not want the work of the women to be forgotten.”

The exhibition is open at Vivian House in Market Hill, Southam on bank holiday Monday (May 26) from noon to 4pm and then from Tuesday June 3 it is open every Tuesday from 10am to noon until September. To arrange visits at alternative times, call Viv Brodie on 812179 or Linda Doyle on 814214.