Leonard James for restoration

[PurpleOwl333]

Men would have worn these in the UK while recuperating/convalescing.

Wow, so you have indeed dated this to between 7 Feb 1917 and 24 Mar 1917, thanks so much Jim Was the huge over-sized coat part of the uniform as well or was that just the style of the time? I need to do me some research!

[Trishanne]

I looked it up for restoration purchases. A red tie was part of the HB uniform. When a patient went outside of the unit they wore their service greatcoats with an armband,  on top of their HBs.  Or it could have been a blue dressing gown. Hospital blues were issued because many of the casualties came straight from the trenches and their uniforms were filthy. The HBs could be laundered more easily.
Pat

[Handypandy]

Interesting that he was at Wharncliffe War hospital.

This place was once the South Yorkshire Asylum and in later years became Middlewood Psychiatric Hospital until it finally closed in 1996. A former Mrs Handypandy was a nurse there in the 80's and I could relate some funny and some horrific stories about it.

The main building is still there and is now, overpriced 'luxury' flats.

You can see some pages of WW1 pics HERE

Also there is some history on Wiki HERE

[PurpleOwl333]

I looked it up for restoration purchases. A red tie was part of the HB uniform. When a patient went outside of the unit they wore their service greatcoats with an armband,  on top of their HBs.  Or it could have been a blue dressing gown. Hospital blues were issued because many of the casualties came straight from the trenches and their uniforms were filthy. The HBs could be laundered more easily.
Pat

Thanks for this, Pat.

[PurpleOwl333]

Interesting that he was at Wharncliffe War hospital.

This place was once the South Yorkshire Asylum and in later years became Middlewood Psychiatric Hospital until it finally closed in 1996. A former Mrs Handypandy was a nurse there in the 80's and I could relate some funny and some horrific stories about it.

The main building is still there and is now, overpriced 'luxury' flats.

You can see some pages of WW1 pics HERE

Also there is some history on Wiki HERE

Fantastic, thanks very much! The first link takes me to some wonderful photos, one of which is of a painting class. http://www.picturesheffield.com/frontend.php?keywords=Ref_No_increment;EQUALS;arc00562&action=zoom&pos=47&id=96218&continueUrl=  I've emailed the archives to double check the date quoted as the man in this photo in black has the same haircut. I wonder...

[jim1]

As has already been said he's wearing the standard Army great coat. They would also wear their Regt'l. forage caps. The arm bands were of different colours to denote their level of recovery.
The Army were concerned that there might be a breakdown in discipline if men wore civvies so HB's were a cheap alternative.

[PurpleOwl333]

As has already been said he's wearing the standard Army great coat. They would also wear their Regt'l. forage caps. The arm bands were of different colours to denote their level of recovery.
The Army were concerned that there might be a breakdown in discipline if men wore civvies so HB's were a cheap alternative.

Very interesting, thanks Jim.