Friday 06 August 2010
How Brighton’s Royal Pavilion Once Became An Indian Military Hospital
Visitors are flocking to a new exhibition at Brighton's historic Royal Pavilion. The exhibition charting the Royal Pavilion's remarkable role as an Indian Military Hospital during World War One opened earlier this year.
The new permanent gallery highlights how more than 4,000 Indian soldiers, who were fighting under British command on the Western Front in France and Flanders, were treated at the Royal Pavilion between 1914 and 1916.
Opulent public rooms in the royal palace, such as the Banqueting Room and Music Room, were transformed into wards and the Great Kitchen was even used as an operating theatre.
The soldiers were amazed at being cared for in such grand surroundings. One wrote to a friend back in India: "Our hospital is in the place where the King used to have his throne. The men in the hospital are tended like flowers."
The Royal Pavilion is the former seaside residence of King George IV and owned and run by Brighton & Hove City Council.
Councillor David Smith, the council's Cabinet Member for Culture, Recreation and Tourism, said: "The exhibition provides an insight into this fascinating and - until now - often forgotten chapter from the pavilion's past and we are delighted it is attracting so many people.
"We have welcomed visitors from across this country and abroad, including relatives of some of the British orderlies and Indian Medical Service personnel who served in the Royal Pavilion when it was a military hospital."
Archive photographs, paintings, contemporary accounts and newsreel bring the story to life, along with exhibits such as a Gurkha knife, Lee Enfield rifle, transcripts of letters sent home by the soldiers, a ward menu discovered under the floorboards, and hookah pipe found discarded in the grounds.
Cllr Smith added: "With more people 'staycationing' in Britain, and a weak pound attracting more foreign visitors, we are expecting the increase in visitor numbers to continue during the summer."
The Royal Pavilion as a Military Hospital is a permanent exhibition, for more information visit www.brighton-hove-pavilion.org.uk or ring 03000 290902.
Brighton & Hove residents can enjoy half-price admission to the Pavilion with up to four accompanying children free (bring proof of residency, one item required per adult eg council tax or other utility bill.)
by: Mike Cobley
|
Brighton Royal Pavilion As An Indian Military Hospital –
Related Images
|
 Al Murray Raises A Glass Or Two To Komedia
Komedia has this month launched Komcast, its brand new podcast featuring interviews and special guest performances by comedians and musicians performing at the award winning Brighton venue.
To kick off, Komcast focuses on headline act Al Murray, as he unveils his brand spanking new show, Compete for the Meat.
As...
more >>
|
 Brighton Became Temporary Battle Ground
Around 250 protesters took part in an English Nationalists Alliance (ENA) march and Unite Against Fascism (UAF) counter-protest in Brighton city centre, on August Bank Holiday Monday.
Using powers authorised by the Chief Constable, police attempted to ensure that both protests took place in a safe location but close enough to one another to enable them to make their points p...
more >>
|
 Overseeing Bizarre & Beautiful Circus Acts
Following on on the huge success of their shows The Asylum, & The Day of the Dead, The Circus of Horrors has had a major revamp & is back rockin’ & shockin’ with special brand new show created especially to celebrate its 15th bloody year.
The Circus of Horrors has been active for a staggering 15 years since it first trampled the bloody boards, it has since toured relentlessly around the world achieving cult status, generally dra...
more >>
|
 The Gruffalo Cast Await Review!
A fox in a hacking jacket, a sleazy snake with the maracas and the gold lame jacket, and a WW1 fighter - owl shouting 'Chocs away!' - where else would you think to find all this except in The Gruffalo, at the Theatre Royal Brighton this week.
Of course the main issue to look at with any attempt to convert a book into a play is 'does it work on stage?'
Well, the simple and joyous fact of this matter is that it does and with...
more >>
|
 Family Friendly Festival Back In Sussex
The Out Of The Ordinary Festival – the green and family friendly gathering that celebrates the changing seasons – returns once more to East Sussex this September, for a chill out that looks likely to sell out.
Out Of The Ordinary will once more be offering its remarkable vibe at Knockhatch Adventure Park, near Hailsham, from September 17th to 19th, and will feature an out of this world line-up...
more >>
|
 Geisha Arts: A Vivid & Gritty Creative Space
Brighton's Geisha Arts is set to welcome visitors for a day of live art production, as creative director Zac Walsh and installation sculptor and street artist Jo Peel each undertake exciting new projects within the uncompromising and eclectic environment of the Geisha Arts cafe/bar and gallery, at the centre of Brighton's thriving contemporary arts community.
It is an event typical of the dynamic, artist-led spirit that Walsh himself has spearheaded since forming his bold plan for Geisha Arts, after the venue reopened in April.
He envisio...
more >>
|
 Take The Stress Off Your Wallet
Brighton is a top UK seaside destination and it is easy to see why with its electric atmosphere, legendary night life and cultural offerings.
Eating out in Brighton is a gastronomic delight the city is home to hundreds of restaurants and cafes several of which are award winning.
The selection of food on offer in Brighton i...
more >>
|
 Worst Humanitarian Disaster In Recent History
The Rotary Club of Brighton & Hove Breakfast and Zamdani Indian Restaurant in Hove, have teamed up to provide money to send Aqua Boxes to Pakistan.
Lack of fresh water is certain to cause many more deaths through the spread of diseases such as Cholera, Aqua Boxes are a means of providing drinking water locally to families.
The...
more >>
|
 Left Field Musicians Elvis Costello & Kit Ashton
Kit Ashton sees his art as beyond that of someone who exists just to feed & profit the corporate music business machine.
Billy Bragg picked up on it by inscribing the words Capitalism is Killing Music on his 1988 release, Workers Playtime.
Bragg's comment caused somewhat of a backlash.<...
more >>
|
Pete Townshend & Paolo Hewitt have teamed up to write sleeve notes for a new book that is set to take centre stage in Brighton this August Bank Holiday.
Young Vespa and Lambretta riding Mods from all over the UK and Europe will also be attendance as their spiritual home gears up for an action packed weekend, forty six years...
more >>
|
|
|