During a meeting of the Bacup Hospital Charities Committee on August 15 1914 it was suggested by Mr J.H.Lord ( Treasurer ) that Bacup might follow the lead of some other towns in offering a suitable place to the Military Authorities for use as a hospital for the treatment of the sick and wounded in the war. He said “ He understood that the ambulance services were offering help with sheets and beds and he thought that they as a Hospital Charities Association might suggest to the corporation the availability of possibly offering Stubylee Hall". After some further discussion however the matter was dropped. Fourteen days later however the matter of a  Rest Station or Convalescent home was brought once again to the attention of the local officials of the Nursing Division when a Mrs Tweedale organizing secretary of the Red Cross Association for Lancashire visited the Ambulance drill hall at Bacup.  Mrs Tweedale felt that Bacup was a ideal place for the setting of a Convalescent Home where the injured soldiers could recuperate and take advantage of the bracing air. Fernhill House the private residence  of Mr and Mrs Mitchell J.P, with grounds was eventually  deemed suitable and the necessary alterations were made. Fernhill opened it's doors to it's first patients from the 2nd Western Hospital Manchester on Sunday December 6th 1914. Patients being transported there using private cars loaned to the hospital by many of the local gentry. The soldiers arrived at Fernhill just after  noon and where met by the Mayor and Mayoress, the doctors and Mrs Sutcliffe the Matron, Lady Superintendent Simpson and first officer Rushton with other members of staff also present.  The patients consisted of:  Corporal Sdyney Moss - 3rd Rifle Brigade. Private McVitty - Irish Guards, Private D Garratt - 3rd Worcester, Private Browns - 10th Hussars, Private Macentie - Royal Field Artillery, Private Fitzpatrick - Irish Guards, Private Burgoyne - 1st Devon, Private Moss - 2nd Manchester's. Another four soldiers arriving a few days later  their names being : Pte. Tomlinson - Cheshire Regiment, Pte Fitzpatrick - 2nd Kings Own Scottish Borderers, Pte. Coles - 1st Devon's, and Pte .Whiting - 1st Royal Berkshire Regiment.During the following eight months up to July 1915 a further 60 patients passed through the doors of Fernhill. These included 30 soldiers suffering bullet or shrapnel wounds, 6 Rheumatism and 7 Frostbites, 4 Cardiac illness and 1 case of Dysentery.  A case of Pleurodenis and Tonsillitis, 1 loss of voice, 3 Bronchitis and 1 case of Kidney trouble. 1 case of Gas poisoning and Variocile and 1 case of Neurasthenia and 2 contused ankles. Many of the soldiers were discharged after treatment and sent back to the front only to be wounded for a second time.  In 1920 Certificates like the one shown below  and Medals were awarded to the staff members for their service during the Great War 1914-1919 click to read the list of names of nurses who recived awards. During the first few days after arrival some of the w ounded gave interviews to the Bacup Times click the icon to read these stories.   Records for Fernhill are very few but I did manage to find some details. To see a list of soldiers addmitted click HERE...