My Stay at St. Marys Convalescent Home in 1947
I was at St. Marys Convalescent Home, as it was known then, around 1947. I was seven years old and spent a whole year there. My name then was Carole Hunt. I was sent there from Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, as I had a shaddow on my lung which they said was T.B. but as far as I know this diagnosis was never confirmed. I have happy memories of my stay there apart from the awful home-sickness. My mother and father visited once a month. The nuns were strict but very kind - I can remember going to church fairly frequently and as far as I can remember, for long daily walks. I can also remember the tunnel leading down to the beach. On one occassion we had a fancy dress party and the Nuns dressed me up as a Nurse - When I left school I actually trained as a nurse - perhaps the memory of the the fancy dress party left a lasting impression on me! I have often wondered if St. Marys is still there but gather from other correspondence that it must have been pulled down. Was anybody else there around this time? I know that most of the children who were there at the same time as me were there for many months at a time.
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RE: RE: My Stay at St. Marys Convalescent Home in 1947
Hi Carole, I was also sent to St Mary's Convalescent Home in 1947. I too, had a T.B. shadow on the lung and was sent from Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup, in Kent. I too, trained as a nurse. I was at St. Mary's for three months and don't, unfortunately have very good memories. Some of the nurses were kind, but the head nurse was not. Maybe I say this because she threatened to burn my toy woolly penguin! Best memories are of walks through the lighthouse fields and listening to the song of the larks, that always seemed to be singing there. Also, like others, remember my letters from home being edited and pocket money being taken. To my joy, I once found a two shilling piece in a parcel from home and was able to keep it. Fortunately, the cheerfulness of the other girls and the songs they made up helped to keep our spirits up.Maybe you were one of the songsters? Hope your life has been, and is, happy. Best wishes, Lorna.
Comment from Lorna DAVEY on Tuesday, 15th May 2012.