Page 22 - Life in Langham 1914-1919

Langham’s Health Services

The Earl of Lonsdale of Barleythorpe Hall employed his own live-in

doctor, Dr Adolf Ernst Ott.

Owen Hugh Smith Esq of Langham House listed a nurse in his

household and a few ‘nurses’ or, as we would perhaps now call

them carers or nannies, were also employed in the village.

Oakham had a small Cottage Hospital in

Mill Street though it was not open to

everyone since persons on parish relief

could not be admitted without

recommendation from the Ladies

Committee. Some patients were sent to

Stamford Hospital or possibly Leicester

Royal Infirmary; transport was by horse

ambulance, rail or from 1918 by

Oakham’s first motorised ambulance.
Mill Street Hospital

Despite twenty-four children being sent

to Leicester Royal infirmary for surgical

investigations in 1915 there were nine

parents who would not then allow them

to be treated.

Archie Shelton of Langham had cause to

be grateful for the generosity of Lord Oakham’s Ambulance No.1

Ranksborough (by whom his father was and Dr Clapperton 1918
employed) when he contracted Polio at the age of twelve in 1918.

Hospital treatment was provided at a cost of twenty-seven

shillings and sixpence a week.

The hospital was at Baschurch in Shropshire and Archie lay on his

back for six months with a curvature of the spine and twisted

pelvis. He had an operation on his leg and a caliper fitted.

Although conditions were very spartan the tales of his stay were

laced with humour (quite unprintable!).

Oakham Workhouse also functioned as a hospital especially for

those too old and unable to look after themselves. It was dreaded

by the elderly population as few ever came out again and became

known locally as ‘the Ashes'.