On This Day, 3 August 1918

Birmingham Daily Post

Saturday 3 August 1918

Birmingham and Disabled Soldiers.

The scheme for establishing in Birmingham a permanent hospital for men maimed in the war cannot fail to appeal very strongly to the public. It has already prompted some very generous gifts, and we do not doubt the example set will inspire others to lend the necessary financial aid. When the extent of the scheme is taken into consideration the amount required to carry it out is comparatively small. That being so, we speak with the greater confidence of its full and expeditious attainment. There are, as everyone will feel, many urgent calls upon the purse—and where is Fortunatus? If, therefore, not possessing the inexhaustible purse, the bestowal of donations and subscriptions is necessarily a prudently selective and relative affair, then those benevolently disposed will, in the first instance desire to fully informed to the claims presented to their notice. As concerns this particular scheme, the broad facts, as set out in a statement published in another column, might be left to speak for themselves. They are so persuasive in their nature that to enlarge upon them here may seem somewhat supererogatory, yet a brief comment is perhaps permissible. Very near and dear to the heart and sympathy of all are the care and treatment of those disabled in their country’s cause. Many have lost limbs or the use of limbs. Their fighting days are over, but protracted helplessness and suffering remain with them. They are in need of close and careful treatment, under skilful direction. Many such cases have been and are under treatment at Highbury, the former residence of the great statesman Birmingham so revered. The scheme is to acquire Highbury, and the adjacent property, “Uffculme”, where also many wounded have been housed, and along with “Sorrento”—the residence in Wake Green Road, to which paraplegic cases have been assigned—apply them as a permanent institution for the care and training of disabled men. A splendid opportunity to achieve this object, without any vast outlay, is provided by Mr. Austen Chamberlain’s offer as a gift the residence at Highbury, and the transfer of the extensive grounds adjoining on advantageous terms. “Uffculme,” it will be generally known, was presented to the city some years ago by Mr. and Mrs. Barrow Cadbury, but has since been leased back to them for war work, and has latterly been used as auxiliary hospital by the Friends’ Ambulance unit. Mr. and Mrs. Barrow Cadbury have now readily consented to surrender the lease, so that “Uffculme” can he brought into the scheme. “Sorrento” has already been acquired by money advanced out of the Lord Mayor’s Relief Fund. As the Ministry of Pensions has agreed to recognise Highbury and “Uffculme ” as institutions in respect of which treatment allowances should payable by the Ministry, the problem of the maintenance of the hospital may said to be solved. But the scheme will involve, apparently, the finding a sum of something like £35,000. Towards this generous donations have been promised to the extent of £13,250, and, adding to this a sum of £4,000 raised by means the Lady Mayoress’s Needlework Fair, there remains not more than £18,000 in order to carry out a splendid work which will do great honour to the city. We trust the Lord Mayor may at no very distant date be able to announce that the required sum has been obtained.