John Coupland Hospital, Gainsborough: Managing War Casualties

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At the outbreak of war John Coupland Hospital in Gainsborough had only been open for eleven months. It was named after a well-known farmer at the bequest of his son George Coupland. By October 1914 the 4th Northern General Hospital in Lincoln had too many casualties arriving from the Western Front so arrangements were made to transfer some of the wounded men by train to the new hospital in Gainsborough. Crowds turned out to watch the arrival of the first batch – 19 Belgian soldiers. Letters from patients show how well they thought of the matron, Miss Gee. One writes: “If it be my misfortune to be again wounded, I sincerely hope that I shall come to see you again, then I’m sure that it will no longer be misfortune.” An extension to the hospital, known as the Peace Memorial, opened in September 1921. The hospital on Ropery Road is now a nurse led unit. Location: John Coupland Hospital, Ropery Road, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, DN21 2TJ Image: Wounded soldiers outside John Coupland Hospital. Photograph courtesy of Peter Bradshaw Gainsborough Heritage Centre