Autograph album:From Llandovery schoolgirl to VAD at Catterick Camp Military Hospital, 1915-1919

Description

The second of three autograph albums belonging to Elizabeth Jane (Bessie or Batchie) Griffiths, Llandovery, started in November 1915. Signed by friends and family members, as well as by soldiers convalescing at the Red Cross Hospital in Llandovery and at Catterick Camp Military Hospital, together with fellow VADs and other staff at Catterick.

[Batchie (Bessie) Griffiths from Llandovery served as a VAD General Services clerk at Catterick Camp Military Hospital from February 1918 to February 1919. She left two autograph books from this time. The album reproduced here was started on 24 November 1915, her 16th birthday. Autographs between this date and February 1918 were written not only by friends and family, but also by patients at the Red Cross hospital in Llandovery. Autographs after February 1918 were mostly at Catterick, though some were post-war.

Autographs include: At Llandovery Red Cross hospital: Charles F. Allen (2nd Batt. OBLI), L/Cpl Freeborn (MGC), Wm. Gilchrist (RFA), Pte. F. Humphries (5th Royal Irish Regt., wounded at the Dardanelles, 7 Sep. 1915), Pte. A. C. Balkwill (Australian Force, wounded at Lone Pine, 6 Aug. 1915), A. Barrett (Royal Engineers), C. (?) Parker/Parkes, A. B. (17th Middlesex Footballers Batt.); Catterick or Llandovery: G. B. (1st Batt. Suff. Regt.), Sgt. A. G. Barrett MM (RAMC); At Catterick: L/Cpl Cowper (RAMC), Pte Murray, E. Potts (S. Sgt, RAMC), Cadet J. Crozier, Gunner Paterson (HAC), Mickie (Mil. P?), John S. Mutch (23rd Officer Cadet Battalion), Cpl. W. Peterkin (RAMC), Geo. H. Shepherd (Lt., RA), Maude [Hoare?] (VAD), J. S. Hopewell (?), Peggy (VAD), Sgt J. Johnston (RAMC), Bessie W., Bobbie (VAD?), Phyllis [Jenkins] (VAD), Tommy Wardle (RAMC), F. S. Dickinson, Bobbie O'Donnell (VAD?), Pte F. W. Whitworth, A. Cecil Storey. The album contains a few sketches, including one entitled "Released German barber, who has been interned for duration of war, waiting for his first English customer".The second of three autograph albums belonging to Elizabeth Jane (Bessie or Batchie) Griffiths, Llandovery, started in November 1915. Signed by friends and family members, as well as by soldiers convalescing at the Red Cross Hospital in Llandovery and at Catterick Camp Military Hospital, together with fellow VADs and other staff at Catterick. Inforamtion form: Project Team, Lest We Forget (2024). 12007: University of Oxford.]

• Lest We Forget Project link (link opens in new window)