Queen Mary's Hospital, Roehampton : A centenary tribute 1915-2015.

Starting with World War I images (taken from the Imperial War Museum archive), the history of the hospital starting in 1915 is described. The story starts with a disabled war veteran, Private Frank Chapman, who met Mrs Gwyn Holford who went on to establish a hospital which created artificial limbs at Roehampton - Queen Mary was the patron. Further Imperial War Museum footage demonstrates how the men engaged in sports and then occupational skills. Frank learnt a trade and got married. The hospital flourished as illustrated by a collection of photographs of veterans taken by a nurse. Early film footage shows some of the sporting achievements of limb amputees. Douglas Bader famous for his golfing achievements and as a World War II pilot is perhaps the most famous allumni of the unit. Stan East who has worked in the limb building unit remembers Bader and still retains two of his artificial limbs. Still images of the thalidomide children are shown. Louise Medus-Mansell and her husband, Darren, both effected by thalidomide discuss all the different limbs and implements they were fitted with. Darren talks about the late Dr Ian Fletcher. Darren demonstrates how he puts his socks off and on. Current patients in Walking School talk about their treatment. Martine Wright, a victim of the 9/7 bombings, lost both legs and now participates in sitting volleyball. She talks movingly about her journey. Roehampton also hosted tropical medicine and burns units. Nurses reminisce about their time at the hospital and what made Queen Mary's special. James Partridge, a burns survivor, talks about his experiences.