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| Members of staff at Craigforth Auxiliary Hospital, Elie. |
When the guns fell silent at the end of ‘The Great War’ the world took stock of the conflict’s horrendous toll on human life.
When the call went out to enlist ‘To assist Belgium’ and ‘Protect the Empire’ after the declaration of hostilities on August 4, 1914, many of those who rushed to sign up did so with excitement and anticipation of a great adventure, one that would be over by Christmas.
The Joint War Committee and the War Office, however, were already preparing for a bloodier and longer conflict than most could have imagined. It would see 887,858 British servicemen and women making the ultimate sacrifice and 1,675,000 wounded.
While the sea and no man’s land would provide the resting place for many of the lost and fallen, there was the logistical issue of dealing with the injured and maimed on an unprecedented scale. There weren’t the facilities behind the front lines to deal with those numbers, many of whom needed time to convalesce, physically and mentally.
They had to be brought home.
So, in addition to the machinery of war, a chain of mercy had to be established. Ships were fitted with infirmaries; a fleet of ambulances was needed from quayside to station; adapted railway carriages were required for the wounded; then more transport required from destination platform to hospital bed.
After war was declared an appeal was launched for buildings that could be adapted as ‘cottage’ hospitals; there were more than 5000 offers. While the general military hospitals would deal with the most severe cases, much more space for care and nursing would be needed, and this resulted in a nationwide network of 3000 auxiliary hospitals, administered by the Red Cross. These were housed in a variety of properties, from castles to schools, and could be found in urban and rural settings.
Although there were a few adapted residences outwith that network, Fife had eight official auxiliary hospitals – Dunfermline, Leven, St Andrews, Ceres, Wemyss, Kinghorn, Springfield and Elie.
All, undoubtedly, have a tale worth telling but this article concentrates on Elie and Earlsferry, purely for personal reasons. Firstly, it was on my doorstep and, secondly, it was a cause well supported by all the East Neuk communities.
The War Office provided basic financial support, calculated on the number of patients receiving care, but donations of money, food, treats and ‘luxury’ items from the community helped supplement those government grants.
Local support also came in the form of members of the Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) who had first aid training. These volunteers were the backbone of each auxiliary hospital whose official staff usually comprised a commandant, quartermaster and a matron.
The choice of Elie, along with other rural settings for the hospitals, is intriguing. It is difficult to imagine a location further removed from the cauldron of carnage that was the Western Front. Peaceful with stunning seascapes, the very place must have felt as though it had healing qualities. Just 25 years later, soldiers of the 1st (Polish) Independent Parachute Brigade, many of whom had witnessed the terror of Nazi occupation, would also be billeted there.
Yet, while welcoming this respite of tranquillity, the servicemen who found themselves in this part of the East Neuk of Fife, would also have known this peaceful retreat was temporary. Once deemed fit for service they would be returned to action, be that the trenches of the front line or, in the Poles’ case, the Dakotas and gliders over Arnhem.
Elie’s auxiliary hospital was initially located at Craigforth, a stunning property donated by Mary Outhwaite, at the tip of Earlsferry, on the edges of Chapel Green. It opened on April 22, 1915, providing 20 beds. It was, and remains, an imposing building, facing out over the estuary. Its story is a fascinating read in itself, provided by Elie & Earlsferry History Society (
https://www.eliehistory.com/craigforth-and-the-outhwaites/).
The house already had a military connection with Mrs Outhwaite being the widow of Lieutenant-Colonel Francis John Outhwaite, of the Highland Light Infantry, who died at Craigforth in 1896. The Lt-Col was obviously 'old school', decreeing after his death - and leaving a sizeable estate - that should his wife re-marry, her husband take the name Outhwaite; that he be buried in the cheapest coffin that could be had; that expenses for his funeral be kept to a minimum with the exception of hospitality of "all classes" present; that all his horses and other animals that his wife and two sons did not wish to keep, not be sold, but be destroyed and buried.
Craigforth served as the area’s auxiliary hospital until May 1917, when it transferred a few hundred yards eastwards to what was referred to as the ‘White House’, also known as ‘The Cottage’, and this provided 25 beds.
It was donated by merchant banker and financier Gerard Alexander 'Monty' Moncrieff, from Bandirran Estate near the village of Balbeggie, Perth & Kinross. Mr Moncrieff also owned Seaforth, on the other side of Telfer’s Lane from The Cottage, and was a well-known figure in the village.
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Craigforth in Earlsferry and (below) what was 'The Cottage' - the two buildings that served as Elie Auxiliary Hospital during World War One. |
During the war years approximately 600 patients were admitted to the two hospitals.
According to Red Cross records the medical officer was Dr Pentland Smith of Elie. The longest serving members of staff were: Miss Edith E. Scott Moncrieff (VAD, commandant); Mrs Kathleen M. Erskine (VAD, assistant commandant); Mrs Susan Willis (certificated nurse, sister-in-charge); Miss Margaret Niven (VAD, president); Mrs Mary Grieve (VAD cook).
The VAD nurses were: Mrs Agnes Patterson, Mrs Sophia Miller, Mrs Helen Bisset, Miss Cathels Aitken, Miss Susanna M. Scott Moncrieff, Miss Elizabeth Maclaren, Miss Charlotte Dingwall, Miss Mary Short, Miss Margaret Campbell, Miss Juliet Galloway, Miss Effie Bell, Mrs Mary Balsellie, Miss Margaret Reekie, Miss Isabel Ramsay, Miss Mary Hepburn, Miss Barbara Brown, Miss Jemima Watt, Miss Margaret McKay.
While the staff members, in addition to their medical duties, were also active in generating fundraising and support in the East Neuk burghs, the military patients came ... and went.
Early in the war years The Scotsman carried details of the servicemen being transferred to the auxiliary hospitals. An entry in 1915 shows the spread of the regiments of the patients admitted to Craigforth: Thomas Campbell, William Henderson, William Graham, Piper Archie Maxwell, John Brisco (Kings Own Scottish Borderers), William Duffy (Highland Light Infantry), Sapper John Dargo (Royal Engineers) Gunner Patrick Trainer (Royal Field Artillery), William Affleck, Archibald Thorpe, Dennis Blakely, James Frew (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders), J. Falconer (Black Watch), L/Cpl William Hamilton (Cameron Highlanders), Robert Berriman (Royal Scots Fusiliers), Henry Rosini, Joseph Moore, A. Holmes, Sgt George Stormont (Royal Scots).
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One of the wards at Craigforth.
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Throughout the duration of the conflict individuals from the East Neuk and surrounding areas made regular donations to the hospital. An entry from the East of Fife Record in 1917 details the gifts, and donors, for a single month.
These included eggs from local farms, rhubarb and vegetables from gardens, a wide variety of home baking, hand-knitted socks, slippers, playing cards, walking sticks, deck chairs, golf clubs, flowers, magazines and cigarettes.
While the landed gentry at Montrave, Balcarres, Balcaskie and Grangemuir regularly supplied game along with other treats, the fishing community also played its part in supporting the wounded.
Skipper Alex Wood and the crew of the Pittenweem small line yawl ‘Present Help’, for example, made the newspaper columns in May 1918 when a box of codlings was put up for auction at the market to help soldiers and sailors. With keen bidding between merchants and buyers, it fetched £7 10s, £3 of which went straight to Elie and the remainder to a Leith hospital for sailors.
While these were listed in the local news columns, the generosity shouldn’t be under estimated as the communities were also doing what they could financially to help those in action through many other war charities. The listing of all these donations, be that a single pair of socks or cash, sat alongside an even more regular entry - ‘The toll of the battlefield’ with brief, respectful paragraphs naming another son of the parish who would not be returning.
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| Tennis on the lawn in Earlsferry. |
And while individuals constantly supported the auxiliary hospital there were, of course, also organised activities to raise much-needed funds for the continuing care. Flag days and prize draws were regular occurrences in all the villages but there were also much bigger co-ordinated events.
Although fund-raising was ongoing, 1917, just when the auxiliary hospital moved from Craigforth to The Cottage, seemed a particularly busy year with the East Neuk delivering a spring and summer of musical treats, all carefully chronicled by the East of Fife Record.
The grandest event was, arguably, the first of that season - a concert in late April, organised by the Anstruther and District Fete Committee.
In aid of the Red Cross and the auxiliary hospital, this was endorsed by the celebrated contralto Clara Butt and brought to the East Neuk some national stars of the day, such as recording artists Henry Turnpenney, David Brazell, as well as the virtuoso violinist Dora Garland who pioneered women taking their place in the male domain of orchestras.
The expense of bringing these celebrated performers to a Fife stage was offset by money provided by the Clara Butt-Rumford Fund, set up by the singer and her husband, the baritone Kennerley Rumford.
The East of Fife Record was effusive in its praise for the programme, which must have been a respite for the locals from the continuing and growing grief of a seemingly neverending war, and must rank to this day as one of the most star-laden stages a curtain has risen on in the burghs.
“There has been no want of enterprise on the part of the Anstruther and District Fete Committee in doing everything possible in the shape of musical attractions on behalf of war charities,” said the newspaper, “and it may safely be said that the venture essayed excelled all previous efforts as regards superiority of the entertainment provided and the large and enthusiastic audience that assembled in the Town Hall, the platform of which was finely decorated with the Union Jack and the Stars and Stripes.
“On this occasion the proceeds were in aid of the Scottish Red Cross Society and the Elie Auxiliary Hospital, and the result exceeded the most sanguine expectations.
“The company that took part in the proceedings were eminent London artistes. A most attractive programme was gone through, opening well with a quartette, ‘Come to the Show’, taken part in by Miss Sophie Rowland, Miss Etty Ferguson, Mr Henry Turnpenney, and Mr David Brazell, other quartettes given by them being ‘Hail to the Chief’ and ‘Finale’, all of which were most tastefully rendered.
“Miss Sophie Rowlands has an exceptionally sympathetic soprano voice, which enabled her to give the parts allotted to her tastefully and expressively. Miss Etty Ferguson was also very successful in the contralto solos, ‘A Memory’ and ‘Jessie’s Dream’. Mr David Brazell has a baritone voice of rare quality, and this was emphasised in the ‘Prologue to Pagliacci’ and ‘Big Steamers’. Mr Henry Turnpenney gave a finished rendering of the tenor part, singing with much feeling and expression the solos, ‘Out of the Past’ and "O, Day Divine’. He and Mr Brazell were also heard to advantage in a duet, ‘The Twins’, containing at good deal of humour.
“Miss Dora Garland, a young violinist of wonderful powers, who was stated to be at present far from well, played several solos most effectively, while Mr Lloyd Powell, who was accompanist, also played several pianoforte solos with perfect expression and rare finish. Most of the selections were loudly encored and had to he partially repeated.
“The proceeds amounted to over £40.”
Then, in June, the East of Fife Record reported that Kilconquhar and Colinsburgh had joined together to organise an event to further boost the funds of the Scottish branch of the Red Cross Society.
“This took the form of a combined church service held in the Parish Church, Kilconquhar,” reported the Record. “The commodious church was well filled, many being present from, besides Kilconquhar and Colinsburgh, Elie and St Monans and surrounding district. It was practically a musical service, taken part in by the hand of the Lancashire Hussar Yeomanry, who came from St Andrews, and the combined choirs of Colinsburgh and Kilconquhar.”
Towards the end of the service, after a busy programme of hymns and individual performances the Rev. A. Legge. Kinneuchar Kirk’s minister, spoke on "Whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain" (Matthew, Ch 5, vs 41).
The Record continued: “He touched on a true Christian being a patriot of the highest cast, and this he emphasised by declaring that never before in this country, and never in the memory of any living being, was there greater need for everyone going the second mile when called upon to do so.
“Taken as a whole, he considered that our men and women had nobly done their bit for the welfare of the Empire, and many noble self sacrifices had been, and were being.”
The two-hour service closed with a collection being made by some of the nurses from the Elie Auxiliary Hospital, realising £20 1s 6d, which, today, would be in excess of £1400.
That same month a concert was held in Earlsferry Town Hall in aid of the hospital, which this time brought together residents and patients as performers. Again the East of Fife Record carried a comprehensive report of the event.
“Dr Pentland Smith presided over an exceptionally large audience. An excellent programme was opened by the choir rendering ‘The Sea is England's Glory’. Miss Mayes was heard to advantage in ‘Angus Macdonald’, and she was obliged to respond with an encore. A note of pathos was struck by Miss Simpson in the recitation, ‘The Gallant Royal Scots’, which was given with telling effect.
“The comic element was admirably sustained by Corporal Howe, while a fine exhibition of dancing was given by Misses Gerrard, Barclay, Davidson, Black, Westwood, Bowman; and Masters Forrett. Moyes, and Watson.
“The patriotic sentiment was aroused by Master Willie Watson in "Sergeant Daddy VC," while Corporal Massingham was equally successful in his fine reordering of ‘The Village Blacksmith’.
“Violin, mandolin, and pianoforte solos were contributed respectively by Miss Wilson, Private Pritchard, and Corporal Dick. The duet, ‘Where are you going to my pretty maid?’ cleverly enacted by Hughes Bowman and Willie Watson was greatly appreciated, while in ‘Ready Waiting’ Mrs Boyle and Miss Jean Wilson were also heard to advantage.
“The grand finale consisted of the choruses ‘The Soldiers of the King’ and ‘Rule Britannia’, which were rendered in fine martial strain, the convalescents and audience joining in.
“At the close, the Rev. Mr Ellis voiced the feelings of the audience when he said they had had a most enjoyable evening, it being evident that the young folks of Elie and Earlsferry were not the only pebbles on the shore. Mrs Boyle must have had lot of work and great patience before her party were able to perform so well.
“They were also very pleased to see several of the wounded soldiers taking part, and trusted they would have a very happy time, and be able to return to their unit much better. (Applause.)
“In proposing a hearty vote of thanks to the artistes, Mr Ellis said he need not assure them that their efforts had been appreciated, it being evident from the hearty response given to the various items. The proceedings terminated with the singing of the National Anthem. The sum of £9 7s 6d was realised.”
Music was very much at the centre of most of the fund-raising for the auxiliary hospital and one event that attracted widespread interest and attention in the East Neuk was a performance of a comparatively new children’s operetta, ‘The Princess of Poppyland’ by C. King Proctor.
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An advertisement for the operetta that appeared in the East of Fife Record.
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This ‘Fanciful operetta in three acts’, as it was billed, has slipped out of sight in recent times but was a popular show in the early part of the 20th century and the two performances in Anstruther Town Hall played to packed houses.
Again, it was the East of Fife Record that reported on this piece of musical history in 1917:
“Mainly through the exertions of Miss Hepburn, West Anstruther, who takes a keen interest in the new auxiliary hospital at Elie, an effort on behalf of that deserving institution has been attended with a large measure of success, both financially and otherwise. This took look the form of two performances of the operetta ‘Princess of Poppyland’, given in the Town Hall on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon by over 60 children, assisted by a string orchestra. The platform was exceedingly well adapted for such an operetta, and the display of colour was most effective, artificial poppies being skilfully intertwined with plants, flowers, flags, and other decorations. There was a bumper house on Friday evening, both area and gallery being fully occupied, and the performance was greatly appreciated.
“The story and plot of the operetta was very skillfully portrayed by the various performers, who consisted of Misses Winnie Johnston, Jenny McDonald, Maude Melville, Effie Budd, Nettie Watson, Mona Gilmour, Gladys Brown, Molly Burge, Helen Brodie, and Isobel Boyter; Masters Wilfrid Masson, Ernest Taylor, George Saunderson, and Wm. Cunningham. The leading characters were Mr Arthur Roscoe as ‘King of Poppyland’, Mr Alfred Travis as ‘Court Chamberlain’, Mr Alfred Gilmour as ‘Honourable Dozy’, and Mr Alastair Robertson as ‘Baron Insomnia’, who enacted their respective parts with consummate ability and success.
“It should be mentioned that the plants and flowers in the scenery were generously granted for the occasion by Mrs Erskine, of Grangemuir, and the dresses were not obtained from outside sources, as is usual on such occasions, but were provided by Miss Hepburn and Miss Johnston.
“The music contributed greatly to the success of the performance, and those comprising the orchestra consisted of - 1st violins, Misses Guillan, Lawson, and Thomson; 2nd violins, Misses Fortune, Murray, and Mitchell; cello, Mr W. Watson; pianist, Miss M.J. Johnston.
“Many of the nurses and convalescents from the hospital were present and greatly enjoyed the performances.
“At the close, Provost Readdie voiced the feelings of the audience when he expressed appreciation of the skilful way in which the various performers had acquitted themselves, and stated the proceeds that evening amounted to about £28.
“A hearty response was made to the proposal that votes of thanks he accorded to the ladies and gentlemen who had so successfully carried out all the arrangements, special mention being made of what had been done by Miss Hepburn, Miss M.L. Johnston, Miss M. Brown, Miss J. Johnston, and Mr Watson.”
“A repetition of the performance was given on Saturday afternoon, when the hall was again well filled and everything went through without a hitch.
"At the close Miss Scott Moncrieff, commandant of the hospital, spoke in terms of high appreciation of the efforts that had been made by the various performers ... and also gave an interesting outline of the work that was being done at the hospital, pointing out the necessity that existed for public support. The sum of £53 3s 9d was realised.”
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A group of patients at Craigforth.
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Direct entertainment for the servicemen at the auxiliary hospital was also a regular occurrence with the local estates opening their gates and those carriage outings must have made an interesting procession.
As one local newspaper from 1917 reported: “The patients, numbering about 20, proceeded to Balcarres in brakes, where they were entertained by the Countess of Crawford. The party was shown through the garden and grounds by Mr Paul, the gardener. The ideal weather, the beautiful flowers, the blossom of the early fruit trees, and the rich verdure of tree and shrub presented a fairylike scene that must have done the war-worn heroes a world of good. Tea was served on the lawn. The party returned in the evening laden with daffodils, and greatly delighted with their outing.”
Similar outings took place to Balcaskie and Grangemuir, where tea and games were provided on the lawns; these usually ending with three cheers for the hostess and the men returning to Elie with gifts of cigarettes and sweets.
Unfortunately, information is hard to come by on the impact such outings made on the soldiers. There is no doubt from reports that they were great appreciative of the kindness and hospitality but they must have made the thought of returning to the front lines even more nightmarish.
For over three years wounded servicemen convalesced in Elie and, by the end of the conflict, hundreds had spent time in the East Neuk. Community support was strong and consistent throughout that time, despite the austerity, hardships and loss. Likewise, the auxiliary hospital enjoyed a stable staff, rooted in the communities. The VAD nurses were well-known in their own villages and became figureheads for many of the fund-raising and charitable activities.
But through all of these there was one ever-present name – Edith E. Scott Moncrieff, the commandant of the hospital. There can be no doubt, despite the energy of her staff, that she was a dominant and motivating figure in keeping the welfare of her patients in the public eye … and conscience.
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Edith E. Scott Moncrieff
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Miss Scott Moncrieff, and her family, were well known and respected in the area. Her father was Major Alexander Scott Moncrieff, of the Bengal Staff Corps who fought in the Indian Mutiny.
After the war years she was elected as the Fife representative on the Scottish Red Cross Council, and was a founding member and honorary secretary of Elie District Nursing Association
She was a member of the Parish Council and, later, a member of Elie Town Council. She was the organiser of Elie’s Poppy Day collection and it was fitting that in 1921 she was chosen to perform the unveiling of Elie War Memorial.
Prior to that ceremony, the Dundee Courier carried a profile of this much admired woman and, of course, acknowledged her role in tending the wounded who found themselves in Elie and Earlesferry.
“From its inception she took an active interest in the Red Cross movement,” stated the Courier. “This enthusiasm was recognised by her being appointed commandant of the auxiliary hospital. It is a well-known fact that this hospital was conducted with conspicuous success combined with undoubted cheerfulness and tact.
“During those momentous years 576 patients passed through her hands, and not a single death fell to be recorded.”
