Genealogy Chat

Hi, I know a WW2 soldier relative of mine had 'Occupational Therapy' during or shortly after the war. I'm wondering can I find out where he had this and if any records regards it exist? I understand it was quite common for soldier to need psychiatric treatment like this for 'shell shock' or whatever it may have been called. Does anyone know where London-based British Army soldiers were sent for Occupational Therapy in WW2? Thanks Al

As a child in WW2 the man living downstairs was an airman and returned to his wife and child in a bad mental state and I remember him being brought handwork to complete at home. There were large frames with wool work and basket making. Margaret

No idea where your relative would have been sent, but googling has brought up a variety of sites - Occupational Therapy seemed to be involving making things - 'During their stay, soldiers were encouraged to participate in occupational therapy making such items as leather writing cases and sheepskin slippers. Carpentry played an important role and was excellent exercise for those patients with injured hands and arms. ' - from www.stjohn.org.za/orderofstjohn/glenshiel.htm nell

Thank you both for your replies. It is interesting especially to hear of the airman getting Occupational Therapy at home. I was assuming my relative went away for Occupational Therapy, but I guess it is wrong to assume that as clearly some people had it without going away anywhere.

I have not seen a list for WWII but this page lists military hospitals in WWI. It is just possible that a previous site could have been used in WWII though I think many hospitals were newly built during WWII. http://www.1914-1918*.*net/hospitals_uk.htm Remove stars The National Archives have a link to the Hospital Records Database which is organised by the Wellcome Library. This should tell you where the records for any hospital are kept though I found it was wrong when I was trying to find something myself about one hospital. MB