Gledhow Hall, West Yorkshire: Romance in a War Hospital

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It is now divided into flats and surrounded by a small housing estate but Gledhow Hall was once a grand country house overlooking woods and a lake. During World War One, Lord Airedale offered it to the military and it became a voluntary aid detachment (VAD) auxiliary hospital. It was run by the British Red Cross and was staffed by professional nurses and VAD nurses. Amongst many things the nurses treated patients suffering from shell shock. It was also the place where Edward Newman, an injured serviceman met and subsequently married Leeds-born Margaret Gould who helped him back to full recovery. Margaret was working as a VAD nurse at the hospital at the time and after Edward left to return to war, the couple sent letters and postcards to each other. They married in 1919, settled in Leeds and enjoyed a long and happy marriage. Location: Gledhow Hall (former location of Gledhow Hall Hospital), Leeds LS8 1PG Photograph of patients at the hospital during the war courtesy of Keith Newman Presented by Liz Green