Tablecloth holds the key to Harleston's WWI hospital history

A unique piece of World War One history has been discovered in Harleston.

The three-foot square linen tablecloth is signed by 104 soldiers who stayed at two Red Cross hospitals in the town between 1914-1918 and 40 others, including staff and visitors.

The tablecloth was came to light last November.

It had been stored away by a resident after being passed down two generations by a former nurse at one of the hospitals.

The hand written names and service details on the cloth includes signatures from countries including England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Canada, Australia and France.

It also includes the signatures of one local soldier, who was killed in action, relatives of prominent town families as well as that of Dame Lilian Barker, a key figure the Great War.

“Last November, one of my neighbours stopped me after seeing me selling poppies in the town for the centenary commemorations and said she had something she wanted me to look at,” said Terry Pegg, of Harleston and District Royal British Legion.

“When I saw it, I just said: ‘Wow’. Being a military man, the hairs literally stood up on the back of my neck. I’d never seen anything like it. It was also in almost perfect condition, apart from a few worn areas.

“At the centre of the tablecloth are also signatures of local medical staff and those that kept the hospitals running.

“There were also names familiar in the town today such as Denny and Knights. It was astonishing.

“There is also a signature by Lilian Barker, who was chief lady superintendent of the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich and was later awarded a knighthood.

“During the war, she was in charge of 30,000 women working at the the Royal Arsenal, the country’s largest munitions factory, with more than 100,000 employees.”

Since November, Terry, has been working with researcher and author, Ruth Walton, from Alburgh, to find out more about the 144 names on the tablecloth.

“The cloth is about to be conserved and framed by the Norfolk Museum Service, where it has also caused a lot of interest,” said Mr Pegg.

“We are also in talks with the Imperial War Museum regarding its significance as a piece of world war history, particularly with regard to some of the signatures.

“Once it is framed, we plan to showcase the tablecloth and the research at suitable venues and events in and around Harleston.”

Research so far has revealed five of the soldiers were awarded medals for gallantry. One soldier was awarded both the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Military Medal. Three others soldiers were also awarded the Military Medal and one was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.

“There are also some tragic tales as well with at least five of the soldiers being killed in action after returning to the Front Line. This includes a local soldier from Pulham St Mary.

“During the coming months, we hope to learn much more about the huge community effort that people from Harleston and nearby villages must have made to help the sick and wounded soldiers, and possibly other casualties such as The Royal Arsenal, Woolwich munition workers.”

This article appeared in the March 29 edition of the Diss Express.