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Photograph album of Ursula Hills, VAD nurse, Malta

 Single Item
MS. 15308
Held in our offsite storage facility

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One photograph album containing photographs of scenery, people and a hospital in Malta, all annotated. Includes: signed portrait photographs of some of the VADs and soldiers; and a series of manuscript poems by the photographer. Photographs depict both life in the hospital (wards, operating theatre), and day trips around the island. Also includes photographs of German and Turkish prisoners. NB. Three photographs damaged with blue ink.

Dates

  • Creation: 1915-1916

Extent

1 box

Language of Materials

  • English

Preferred Citation

Oxford, Bodleian Libraries [followed by shelfmark and folio or page reference, e.g. MS. 15308].

Please see our help page for further guidance on citing archives and manuscripts.

Shelfmark:

MS. 15308

Collection ID (for staff)

CMD ID 15308

Abstract

Album of Ursula Hills containing photographs and poetry relating to her time as a VAD nurse in Malta during the First World War.

Biographical / Historical

From February 1915, the War Office allowed Voluntary Aid Detachments (VADs) of nurses to be deployed to Royal Army Medical Corps hospitals, including abroad. Consequently, calls were made from Malta for British voluntary nurses to be dispatched to the country. Ursula Hills was one such nurse, stationed at Cottonera hospital from September 1915.

Elizabeth Ursula Hills was engaged as a nurse in Malta on 30 Aug 1915, aged 23, where she compiled the photograph album. Subsequently, she went on to work as a nurse in France, Cirencester, Salonika, and Mesopotamia, only leaving VAD service in May 1919.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The item was purchased by the Bodleian Library, Sep 2018.

Title
Catalogue of photograph album of Ursula Hills, voluntary aid detachment nurse, Malta
Status
Published
Author
Finding aid prepared by Tilly Guthrie
Date
2019
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Bodleian Libraries Repository

Contact:
Weston Library
Broad Street
Oxford OX1 3BG United Kingdom