Resources
The No 1 NZ Stationary Hospital - The Prentice Papers
Warrant Officer Alexander Prentice, NZ Medical Corps, NZEF had a long association with Christchurch Hospital after World War 1.
In 2002, his son, AOS Prentice, donated his papers to the Nurses’ Memorial Chapel.
The full archive can be viewed by appointment.
The Prentice Papers
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Undated (1915-1916)
Describes the No 1 NZ Stationary Hospital, NZEF at Salonika, Greece from late 1915 to March 1916.
Key words: Lembet Camp - 10th Division of the British Army - arrival of other battalions – tremendous work of the Engineers - establishment of communications - Chaplain Kay, Professor of Ancient Languages, St Andrews University.
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11 December 1915
Letter (6 pages) describing the journey from Egypt to Salonika in Greece where the medical corps had to re-establish the Stationary Hospital after its loss on the Marquette.
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Circa December 1915
Alex Prentice’s eyewitness account about the sinking of the Marquette.
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16 November 1917
Letter (6 pages) to PRO, London about the War Diaries of No 1 NZ Stationary Hospital. Gives extensive account of the history of the NZSH, statistics of patients treated, etc. Handwritten note attached, probably written by D. J McGavin.
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Undated (1917-1918)
A personal reflection on the horrors of war. Describes gas poisoning of women, children and babies, as well as bombing.
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23 October 1935
Reunion of ex members of NZ Stationary Hospital at the Christchurch RSA Club Rooms. Lists the names of 26 men. The reunion was reported in The Press, 24 October 1935 (see Papers Past).
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1 December 1977
At the Chapel, Alex Prentice gave an eyewitness account of the Marquette sinking, debunking several myths. The exigencies of war led to the No 1 Stationary Hospital being loaded alongside the British 29th Divisional Ammunition Column.
From 1937 to 1965, Alex Prentice held the position of Secretary to the North Canterbury Hospital Board and was closely associated with the Chapel. He outlined how this Chapel was a forerunner to the building of chapels in New Zealand hospitals.
Service reported in The Press, 2 December 1977 (see Papers Past).
