War Memorial, High Street Edgware, Middlesex / Courtesy Parishmouse Family History Guide
Click on the button above to listen or download on the Radio Brockley website to hear the final Episode in our series of Podcasts, featuring a story discovered in the 'Hendon and Finchley Times' June 23rd,1916 by Laura McGuinness, Head of History at Claremont High School Academy and a "forever grateful former patient at the RNOH", who during the lockdown of 2020 volunteered her support for our Podcast project.
In Episode 6: "Our Doctor and Friend" we hear how the communities of Edgware and Little Stanmore enthusiastically welcome and celebrate popular local doctor Dr Findlater when he returns from the Front Line on leave in June 1916, after being awarded the D.S.O. (Distinguished Service Order) whilst serving in the Royal Army Medical Corps during devastating campaigns in Gallipoli.
"It was quite a red-letter day in the annals of Edgware – indeed, it is said there had been no demonstration to equal it since the year 1884, when the Prince of Wales, the late King Edward, and the Princess of Wales, passed through the village on their way to Brockley Hill to open the Mary Wardell Home..."
The National Army Museum website describes 1916 as the "Year of Attrition", when every community in Britain and the Empire experienced catastrophic casualties. (https://www.nam.ac.uk/explore/1916-year-attrition) In this Episode we get a real sense of how Dr Findlater's return unleashed the emotions of the Community he served; how the marching band of the Middlesex Regiment, the flags, cheers and speeches enabled them to cast off "all thoughts of the sad side of the War". But in Dr Findlater's speech he makes a poignant observation that reveals community grief and anxiety:
"The job of those at home was the harder...It was constant anxiety and care if they had sons or other relatives at the Front. They were frightened at the receipt of a telegram and almost afraid to open the newspaper..."
The celebrations end with a dinner in St Lawrence's Hall, and afterwards the guests gather round the piano to request their favourite songs. In 'Our Doctor and Friend' we hear a selection of the songs chosen 106 years ago in June 1916 by Dr Findlater and his friends, a '1916 Playlist' presented by Radio Brockley's Award winning broadcaster Keith Reeve.
In memory of Dr Findlater: the Lychgate, St Lawrence's Church, Little Stanmore / © Harrow Council 2016
Thanks to Fr Paul Reece Rector & Chaplain of the RNOH Stanmore, we located Mary Wardell's grave in the churchyard of St Lawrence's and discovered Dr Findlater was buried nearby. We also discovered that the Lychgate at the entrance to the graveyard was erected in 1934 in dedication to the memory of Doctor Alexander Findlater D.S.O., describing him as "a friend to all in the village."
Our Podcast ends with former RNOH Chief Operations Officer Lucy Davies reflecting on the triumphs and hardships experienced by the RNOH during the challenges of COVID 19, and how Dr Findlater's story informs and reflects the challenges of the present.
Pegleg Productions warmly thanks everyone who has been part of this journey, with very special thanks to Radio Brockley and the volunteer 'Podcast Repertory Company' formed from RNOH volunteers, current and former patients, staff, nurses and consultants. Click on the photographs to read more!
David Rauch has been a volunteer at Radio Brockley, the hospital radio service at the RNOH, since 1971. As well as presenting and producing programmes, including our game of Bingo (prior to COVID), he is a trustee of the charity. He is a retired IT Project Manager. He is married, with two children and one granddaughter.
Keith Reeve was first an RNOH patient in 1968, and since 2016 has been a part time employee. He commenced volunteering for their hospital Radio Brockley in 1977, joining shortly after his last period as a patient at the hospital, and has been actively involved in the multi-award winning station ever since. In 2016 he was awarded the Hospital Broadcasting Associations “John Whitney Award” for his outstanding contribution to UK hospital radio. He also presents a show on Potters Bar Community Radio.
Timothy Morand is an actor. He trained at Lamda and has worked extensively in theatre, radio, TV and film. He is married to Nicola Lane, a lifelong patient at the Prosthetic Rehabilitation Unit at the RNOH, and like so many partners of patients, is very familiar with the hospital site!
Ron Laver joined the GPO as an apprentice in 1967 and retired from BT 42 years later, having been both an engineer and manager in Data Communications. During the latter years he was a Customer Relationship Manager in the Government Sector, working with Police & Health services. Ron joined Radio Brockley at the RNOH in 1974, presenting, producing and editing for the station up until the present day.
Jim Ashworth-Beaumont has been a member of staff at the RNOH since 2005 and works as a Senior Orthotist. He is a veteran of the Army and Royal Marines where he served as a communications and intelligence specialist.
Christine Bows officially retired in 2020 after 38yrs of NHS service as a nurse. She trained at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, working there for 4 years before going on to work at the RNOH for 34 years. Following her retirement, Christine returned to work for a short time in the RNOH Covid Testing Centre and the Vaccination Centre. Christine’s other love is acting, and she has recently been involved in a National Theatre production at ‘Cast Theatre’ Doncaster, playing a Narrator in ‘The Doncastrian Chalk Circle’, an adaptation of ‘The Caucasian Chalk Circle’ by Bertolt Brecht.
Lucy Davies was the Chief Operating Officer and Director of Strategy & Improvement at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore until 2022. Her current role is Chief Operating Officer at East & North Herts NHS Trust. Lucy is very proud to work for the NHS and she thrives on developing individuals and teams. She is interested in the history of hospitals and healthcare, learning from the past while progressing into the future. Lucy is a strong advocate of art and music in hospital environments.
Cast in order of performance:
Narrators: Keith Reeve
Ron Laver
Jim Ashworth-Beaumont
Christine Bows
David Rauch
Timothy Morand
Reflection: Lucy Davies
'The Hendon and Finchley Times' © British Library newspaper archive.
'Keep the Homes Fires Burning' arr. for cello and piano from 'The Cello in Wartime', Steven Isserlis & Connie Shih. With the kind permission of Steven Isserlis.
'The Sailor's Grave' with the kind permission of Smithsonian Folk Archive.
