From the News

Dated: September 21, 1918

Convalescent Home For Officers at Seashore In France Delightful

Capt. O.L. Spencer, Former Advertising Manager of The Herald, Writes Interesting Account of Good Treatment Given Officers Recovring From Their Wounds

An interesting account of the excellent work that is being carried on at a French convalescent home for officers at Deauville-sur-Mer is related in a letter received from Captain O.L. Spencer, formerly advertising manager of The Herald. This institution, although it has been "carrying on" for three years now, is quite unknown, owing to the fact that it is not connected with the C.E.F. or B.E.F., but is supported by private subscriptions from Canada. This fact makes it all the more interesting, as it is in this respect unique. For the purposes of admininstration, however, it is under the British commandant of the area.

The home is open all the year round and one of its features is that it is not merely confined to any one section of the Allies. As a matter of fact at the time that Captain Spencer wrote there were among the inmates representatives of the United States, the Imperials, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Ceylon and India.

Accomodation is provided for 35 officers. The rooms are large, airy and bright, some of them containing five cots, with a bath for every two rooms and always plenty of hot water. "Anyone who has been up the lines," states the captain, "can fully appreciate what those bathrooms mean."

A Beautiful Place

The house itself is the property of one of the French Rothschilds, and as the picture shows, is a beautiful place, set in lovely grounds. Inside it is furnished wonderfully with dozens of big easy chairs and lounges, with lots of papers, books, and magazines, a piano and several gramaphones, and everything one can want to make life comfortable.

The rules, the captain states, are very easy to follow and the discipline is not so strict that it is irksome. Besides, the officers are treated so well that none of them ever think of breaking a rule which would in any way put the matron or any of the sisters to any inconvenience or trouble.

The staff of the home consists of a matron and a number of sisters, one of whom is a trained nurse and one a masseuse. They are all Canadians. Mrs. Robinson of Toronto, is the matron, "and a dearer old lady never drew breath," says the captain. "She is so awfully kind to everybody," he continues, "and indeed, they all are in every way, and how they do it is a wonder to me because they have been at it for nearly three years now, and it must be terribly wearing, but they make every officer, no matter who he is, feel as if the whole place was run for his particular benefit and give him a taste of home life which cannot be had anywhere else in France. They see to it that you are absolutely fit and well before you go out, and leave no stone unturned to gain that result. I don't think there is a man who has ever been here who hasn't had the time of his life."

At Popular Resort

The home is situated at one of the most popular seaside resorts in France and the season, when Captain Spencer wrote, was at its height. All allied officers are honorary members of the golf and tennis. The links are splendid, and the courts very good, and the sea bathing superb.

The day's program is something like this. The officers are brought a cup of tea at 7 a.m., then they have a bath and breakfast at 8:30. After that many letters are written. At 10 o'clock gold holds sway, and lunch is served at 1 p.m. About 2:30 many indulge in a swim. The tea claims attention at 4:30. After that a visit is generally paid to the shore front, and at 7:30 the officers dine. Various amusements fill in the rest of the evening. The officers retire at 10:30, and lights are out an hour later.

"A pretty healthy sort of an existence," says Captain Spencer, with which not many people will disagree.

From what Captain Spencer states those in charge of the excellent work that is being carried on at this most favored convalescent home are deserving of the highest praise, more especially as all this has been accomplished without any fuss or publicity, but quietly and consistently, and during the past three years it has ministered to the large number of Canadian and other officers who will ever treasure the kindly remembrances of their stay at the Deauville-sur-Mer.