Organisations > Roll of honour of Caxton House Printing Office, Dundee

Ernest Lews Gilla7iders
Rheumatic fever seized Ernest Gillanders and laid him
low. Three weeks he lay in hospital in France ; then
for three months he was a patient in Brackley Hospital,
Northampton.
This time of Ernest's life was perhaps the happiest
he ever spent. The hospital was a private establish-
ment, founded and administered by Mrs. A in one of
her own mansion houses, for the behoof of the wounded
soldiers. This lady was assisted by a large staff of
voluntary helpers and nurses, who were unwearied
in their kindness to the patients. The convalescent
soldiers were often invited to house parties in neigh-
bouring mansions, and no effort was spared to give
the lads pleasure during their stay in Brackley.
Mrs. A died in 1917, and we mav venture to
mention that one of her dying requests was that Ernest
Gillanders should be asked to be present at her
funeral. This last wish of his benefactress Ernest was
proud to fulfil. It is pleasant also to record that the
father and sister of Lieut. Fenner (who was killed at
the time Ernest was buried in the shell explosion)
motored all the way from London to Brackley Hospital
to visit Ernest.
In February 1917 Ernest returned to duty in
Wellington Barracks. In August he was sent back
to the hardships and dangers of the war in France.
In a letter he writes —
" You will have seen by the newspapers that we
had a very hot time, but we managed to get rid of
Fritz for the present I only wish that the
war were finished, and that we were all back at work
again The censor is very strict, so I can't say
much, although I could say plenty."
Ernest's health again gave way under the fearful
strain, and in December he was taken to Horton War
Hospital, Epsom. Here he experienced every kindness
from nurses and visitors.