Healing Hands On The Home Front — The Work Of Local Auxiliary Hospitals In World War One features the Hermitage Park Hospital, Mount Stuart on the Isle of Bute, and a small hospital in Strachur. The show provides a glimpse into the lives of the medical volunteers and tells the stories of some of the patients through the medium of old photographs and other mementos.

It was compiled by Eleanor Mackay, Argyll and Bute Council’s information and local studies librarian, and colleague Gayle Ferguson, culture and heritage support officer.

Many of the exhibits are postcards – a common form of communication in the early 20th century. Soldiers either had their photo taken and sent to their loved ones, or in some cases event sent it back to the hospital to the nurses with a message written on the reverse side – which the researchers found a useful tool in identifying the men pictured.

Whilst gathering material for the exhibition, Eleanor met Helensburgh woman Maureen Cairney, who responded to an advertisement in the Advertiser which appealed for stories from individuals with a family connection or story relating to the Great War.

Maureen’s father, Sgt. Denis Shields, served with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, and when the pair met Maureen was given a surprise.

“I am so glad I made the call,” Maureen said. “Eleanor came out to see me and she brought with her a photograph album. We sat at the table and as I was looking through it I stopped at a page and saw my dad looking up at me. It was quite emotional.” Although soldiers treated at the auxiliary hospitals came from all ranks and different regiments, some casualties could end up in a hospital near their home.

Sgt Shields, from Helensburgh, was one such casualty, and when he suffered wounds to his leg, head, and chest, whilst serving in France and he was admitted to Hermitage House in 1917.

Denis came from a large family in John Street.

During his convalescence at Hermitage House, Denis was able to visit his mother at the family home, however, once he was well enough, he was posted back to the front line.

When he was discharged in 1919, he returned to Helensburgh and his job as a railway porter at Craigendoran despite suffering from emphysema and the injuries he had sustained, which affected his for the rest of his life.

Denis married Maureen Holland in 1939 and had one daughter. He died in 1964 at the age of 72. Maureen still lives in Helensburgh with husband Tommy.

Eleanor added: “It was great meeting up with Maureen and to have her father’s story included in the exhibition is a real asset. There may be other people with family members who were either patients, or who perhaps worked in hospitals, and I hope this exhibition may give them an insight into their ancestor’s experience of the war.” The librarian gave credit to the contribution of Burgh man Ian MacQuire, whose great-great-grandfather Edward Graham took the Hermitage House photos in his spare time from his job as a lamplighter – and he was the last person in Scotland to hold that post.

Ian told the Advertiser: “It is great to see them all on display here for everyone to enjoy.” Councillor Maurice Corry, Argyll and Bute’s Armed Forces and Veterans Champion, said the exhibition was ‘marvellous’.

He added: “I would like to praise the efforts of all those involved in creating this exhibition – it’s great to see the community come together in this way.

“This is one of many events that has been organised to coincide with the centenary of the Great War and I would encourage everyone to get behind it and join in the commemorations during the course of the next four years.” Healing Hands On The Home Front is situated in the upstairs area of the West King Street library and is available for viewing until the end of October, when it will transfer to Rothesay, before being staged at other Argyll and Bute libraries.