Page 114 - KBHA BULLETIN 6

detachments of the Red Cross Society and officers and men of the Ambulance Division

lined the approach to “Seahurst”. A military band played in the grounds in the afternoon.

(The Messenger, April 1941).

We were soon aware of another side of war and servicemen in their “hospital blues” (blue
pants and jacket, white shirt and red tie) were a familiar sight strolling along the Main

Road or down to the harbour. (Figs. 3.20 & 3.21). Local residents often invited them home
for tea and friendships developed, to such an extent that residents would correspond with a

serviceman’s family, reassuring them of his welfare.

"Carisbrooke" (No. 2 Main Road, St. James) was offered to the Defence Force as a

convalescent home and, being next door to my house, my mom was soon on the friendliest

of terms with the patients. You see, my brother was in the Mediterranean on the
minesweeper Southern Isles and so she had an extra special interest in the welfare of the

"Carisbrooke" patients, especially sailors.

Canadian Military Nurses

When the war broke out in 1939 the SA Military Nursing Service was totally unprepared.

So, to fill the gaps until the service was properly organized, 500 Canadian nurses were
seconded to serve in South Africa. Some of them were allocated to “Seahurst”. Quite a few

of these Canadians were Catholic and attended Sunday Mass in St. James Catholic Church.
What excitement! Lovely young women in very smart uniforms (light blue cloaks and trim

white caps) and working in our part of the world. They really looked glamorous and so
very professional! Our dear old parish priest, Dr. Sidney Welsh, couldn’t understand why,

on the following Sunday, there was an exceptionally large attendance of male members of

the congregation and so many available to escort the nurses back to “Seahurst”!

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