TOPIC:

'The Residency hospital ward in Bloemfontein

The hospital ward at the Regency or Government House, Bloemfontein, in which ex-President Steyn lately resided, is a room known as the Ball room, and before Lady Roberts had it converted into a hospital ward is was used as an office by Lord Roberts's staff. The wounded soldiers, most of whom were convalescent when the picture was taken, are very proud of being cared for in "Lady Roberts's Ward," as they prefer to call it. The medical officer in charge is Surgeon-Major MacMunn, Honorary Physician to Lady Roberts while at Bloemfontein. The other medical officers are Mr John H Sheldon and Mr W H May. The nursing sister in charge is Sister Beardsmore Smith, of St Bartholomew's Hospital, London.'

This picture is entitled 'Carrying wounded to the Langman's Hospital, Bloemfontein.' The photograph was apparently taken by Archie L Langman, the Head of the Hospital.

It looks as though the two are walking towards some sort of fence but it is difficult to be sure.

Saluting the Royal Standard at Bloemfontein.

'The transport of wounded: On the way to the hospital At Bloemfontein.

An idea of the difficulties of transport in South Africa is gained by this illustration, which shows some wounded from No 23 Field Hospital on the road to Bloemfontein. A waggon is capable of carrying about a dozen men and each waggon requires a team of a dozen oxen. The animals are kept up to their work and controlled by drivers who carry the long whips which are characteristic of the native drivers.'

'They died for the Flag.

Graves of British soldiers in the cemetery at Bloemfontein.'



Source: The Graphic, Volume 62

The Ramblers' Club, Bloemfontein, now used as a hospital

Wherever Englishmen are to be found in any numbers there will assuredly be a club. The Ramblers' Club at Bloemfontein was a token of the large English element in the town. Before the war the British residents used to gather together in this bungalow. The building is now used by Langman's Hospital for housing the sick and wounded.



The Graphic, 16 June 1900