1942. Large oblong 4to, 242 x 295mm, ff. [24] black card leaves, of which 19 have been used, and containing 83 photographs of varying sizes (of which 27 are studio prints) and four postcards, all neatly mounted, together with a loosely inserted newspaper clipping, and two contemporary packets of photograph mounting corners; all images clear and fresh with no fading or oxidising; gutter cracking in places but holding firm; in the original black cloth ‘Cambrian’ photograph album, upper cover stamped in gilt, with advertisement printed in silver on inside front cover, head and tail of spine a little bumped, with some minor bumping and wear to edges, otherwise near fine. A particularly evocative collection of photographs compiled, we believe, by a nurse working at the Red Cross Auxiliary hospital of St Paul’s Walden Bury in Hertfordshire - the childhood home of Lady Elizabeth Bowes Lyon, later to become Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother (1900-2002). Though sadly anonymously, this unique album not only gives an insight into the day-to-day life of the hospital, including several images of recuperating soldiers and the staff at work, but records in particular the visit of Queen Elizabeth on October 14th 1941 - what must surely have been a highly personal visit for all involved. The images include a number of more official studio photographs, including two large group shots which have been captioned, together with a number of smaller, more informal photographs showing Queen Elizabeth chatting to patients and staff.
The identity of the compiler remains unknown, though the album was acquired from a deceased estate and had belonged to a family member who had nursed there during the war. The Bowes Lyon family had previously loaned out the estate for use as a hospital during the first world war, and had once again given over their home to be used as a convalescence hospital during W.W.II. Out of interest, a plaque can be seen hanging on the wall of one bedroom, which not only notes that the hospital is under the auspices of the British Red Cross, but that the home has been ‘partly supported and maintained by a birthday gift to His Majesty the King, From the British American War Relief Association of Seattle, U.S.A. 1941’.
During the War, the Queen Mother and King George VI became symbols of the fight against fascism, and famously refused to leave London during the Blitz, and contributed much towards the war effort and raising morale. A newspaper cutting loosely inserted describes her visit - though pointedly makes no mention of its precise location. ‘The Queen on Tuesday afternoon visited a Red Cross and St. John War Organisation Auxiliary Hospital near a village in the Home Counties, and received a great welcome from village school children and from evacuee children who lined the drive. The visit was informal and unofficial, and the Queen, who was attended by Lady Victoria Wemyss, was received by the commandant, Mrs. Gurney Sheppard, and the sister-in-charge, Miss Storey. Her Majesty made a complete tour of the hospital, even to the kitchens, and spoke with every patient, most of whom are members of the Services, although there were one or two air raid casualties. Photographs were taken, including a ward group of all the patients and staff with the Queen. It was later discovered that one patient had been receiving massage elsewhere when the photographs were taken, and when the Queen was told of this she asked that a photograph should be taken of herself with the patient, so that he should not be missed. Her Majesty has given instructions that each patient shall be given a copy of the group photograph. Having taken tea with the nurses, the Queen, who expressed delight and satisfaction with all she saw, was given a very hearty send off.’