I got a job as a Junior House Officer at Runwell Hospital in March 1958 and worked there for a year, initially living in the hospital residence and then, after I married in Dublin, Ireland, later the same year, moved into a very small flat in Wickford Hall on the Southend Road. I recall that it was a muddy place during that Winter! Mabel and Curly Thurley lived in Flat 4 and were very welcoming to the new immigrants.
Runwell Hospital was one of the premier hospitals in England for its Research and Treatment programmes at that time. I see that it may be now closed. We made many friends at Runwell Hospital and in Wickford. The Sisters Skeggs and Jones were particularly welcoming and made the small village of Wickford a good experience for us. There was not much entertainment available but Southend-on-Sea and London were easily reached, so lightening the times.
We moved to Virginia Water to a promotion in my work the following year when my eldest daughter was born. She was conceived in Wickford Hall. Does it still stand I often wonder?
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many a party was had during the 39/45 war at the hospital with the troops and gI/s according to some of the older inhabitants also after the war ,it seem it was the high spot of the area ,
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