An exhibition paying tribute to the work of Argyll and Bute’s local auxiliary hospitals during the First World War is on display in Dunoon Library.

Many local hospitals and homes provided medical care for wounded servicemen and women but, to cope with demand for beds and treatment, special auxiliary hospitals were set up by the Red Cross in various locations around the country.

Healing Hands on the Home Front provides a glimpse into the lives of the medical volunteers and tells the stories of some of the patients through old photographs and papers.

The council’s Policy Lead for Community and Culture, Councillor Robin Currie, said, “The people of Argyll and Bute pulled together to support the service of the men and women who fought at the front during the four long years of The Great War as well as here on the home front.

“The council’s community and culture service is working to highlight the impact of the war on local people and communities. This has been made possible through the huge resource of memories, precious mementos and treasured artefacts which are being shared with us by descendants of those brave men and women. This exhibition highlights one such group.”

It was common for large houses to be taken over and run as hospitals, none grander than Mount Stuart on Bute where hospital beds were surrounded by marble pillars and oil paintings. 

The exhibition includes images of this hospital from the Bute Collection along with a large collection of photographs from Hermitage House in Helensburgh, and images of patients and nurses at Letters Lodge auxiliary hospital in Strachur.

It will remain on display in Dunoon Library until 17 February.

Anyone with photographs, family stories or memorabilia such as diaries, medals, papers etc they would be willing to share should contact Information and Local Studies Librarian Eleanor McKay at Library Headquarters in Dunoon tel.01369 708663