More from the NGH Historical Archives…Ward Names

The Historical Archives volunteers are always pleased to receive and answer queries and the other week were asked about the origin of the Talbot-Butler ward name, did it have a connection to Eleanor Talbot-Butler(1436-68) and why?  The lady was disappointed to learn the ward was named after Harold Talbot-Butler, a manager at the Northampton branch of the National Provincial Bank, who worked as treasurer on several hospital committees.  So, following on from that I thought you might like to know more about the origin of NGH ward names.

In the early years the Infirmary wards were just known as Men’s, Women’s  (and children) and Accident, but as demand grew the two Nightingale blocks were built in 1903.

As money raised to build a memorial for Queen Victoria was used to fund the build, it was stipulated that Queen Victoria’s name should always be linked to it. Names of the many titled gentlemen of the county involved in the development of the Infirmary, serving as governors and sitting on several committees, were used in naming the other wards. The west wing used for women and children were called Spencer, Knightly and Victoria wards.

East wing ward names were Compton, Grafton and Accident. The ground floor accident ward was renamed Gribble in 1935 after James Gribble, one time union activist who became a town councillor.

After WW1 there was a spate of building funded mainly by Boot and Shoe magnates. William Barratt and the BMH has already been mentioned in the last post but Robert Watson Ward  and Eleanor Hague Ward were named after the gynaecologist/obstetrician and the sister-in-charge who were the first to work in the nursing home. Gossett Ward was named after the paediatrician who helped set up the premature baby unit and the new Labour Ward and GP Unit, opened in 1970, was named after the Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Gordon Sturtridge. A name known to  ‘Saints’ supporters, perhaps.

Thomas Singlehurst, of the ‘Speedwell Works’ Kingsley was another Boot and Shoe magnate who gave a large donation to the hospital. His eyesight was very poor, and he eventually went blind, but he and his wife funded the Eye Outpatient department and later the eye ward. His portrait hangs in the corridor of the eye ward, now relocated in the old gynae block.

The old Casualty and Out-Patient block at the bottom of Cheyne Walk was opened in 1956  by Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother and the two casualty wards built on the first floor were named George and Elizabeth for obvious reasons.

Moving now to the new part of the hospital opened for use in 1979. Originally the first four wards opened were named A,B,C,D, but were given names to match the initial.

A: Allebone. Mr Alan Allebone was the managing Director of Allebone and Sons and served on the NGH Management Committee.

B: Benham. Mr Cedric Benham was a major benefactor who donated money for the first Coronary Care Unit to be opened.

C: Creaton. This former Northampton T.B. and infectious disease hospital closed in 1979 and the name came to NGH.

D: Dryden. The family seat of the Dryden family was Canons Ashby and various members through the years were connected with the hospital.

As the new hospital block was extended, four more wards were added at the far end of the hospital street all named after trees, Cedar, Hawthorn, Rowan and Willow. There then came a spate of naming wards after villages, such as Collingtree, Holcot, Brampton etc but the latest wards to open in the new Nye Bevan building are named after people again. Walter Tull and Esther White.

I am sure folks are aware of the English professional football player who played for the Cobblers and was a British Army officer of Afro-Caribbean descent, but the lesser-known Esther White was the first matron of the first Northampton Infirmary in George Row, serving from 1743 to 1757

In readiness for the opening of this ward we were asked if we had a portrait of Esther, but a matron of that time was basically a live-in housekeeper and by no means important enough to have her portrait painted.

Again we disappointed an enquirer but don’t let that put you off. When we return to the archive after lockdown we will be delighted to help with any history hospital related queries.

Julia Corps, volunteer at the NGH Historical Archive.