The Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD's)

"Their sufferings will be great and it is to us that they will look for comfort and relief. That comfort must not be denied them.”
Queen Alexandra, president of the British Red Cross Society in 1914

At the outbreak of the First World War, the British Red Cross and the Order of St John of Jerusalem combined to form the Joint War Committee. They pooled their resources under the protection of the red cross emblem. As the Red Cross had secured buildings, equipment and staff, the organisation was able to set up temporary hospitals as soon as wounded men began to arrive from abroad. One such place was the Pontyclun Red Cross Hospital, Wales.

 

When the call came, two daughters of Samuel and Elizabeth Ann Gronow of Coed Bychan, Llanharan, Glamorganshire volunteered for nursing duties. Gwladys Maud Gronow 22, her sister Edith Mary Gronow 30, both usually helped on their fathers dairy farm, but from January 1915 until March 1918 both worked part time doing nursing duties at Pontyclun. Gwladys worked 300 hours & Edith 700 hrs. Both women were awarded a roll of Honour Certificate.

(Family Tree No.30)

Pontyclun Institute/hospital during WW1, where members of the Llantwit Fardre Red Cross attended on servicemen c.1916

  St Fagans Archive ‏@archifSFarchive 18 Mar 2014