New Zealand - WW1 - YMCA Hut, New Zealand Convalescent Hospital, Hornchurch - Real Photo Post Card Format #332167 Hornchurch Convalescent Hospital. - Hornchurch was originally a camp for convalescent New Zealand soldiers who had been in hospital. - Upon the formation of the N.Z. Expeditionary Force Headquarters in England, however, it was found necessary to form a convalescent hospital, and Hornchurch was chosen as the site. - It was designated the New Zealand Convalescent Hospital. - Necessary alterations were made and accommodation was untimately found for 2,500 patients. - In the treatment given at Hornchurch, massage and medical electricity held important places. - Each department of the hospital was equipped with all the latest and best appliances. - Later a gymnasium was added. The curative work performed in this unit was commented on favourably by the War Office. - Medical cases requiring no further active treatment at the big general hospitals were transferred to Hornchurch for convalescence. - Surgical cases were sent there when the wounds were nearly healed. - Each man was given the necessary massage, medical electricity, remedial exercises, or such other treatment as was deemed suitable. - From Hornchurch the men were transferred to the Command Depot Codford to be rendered fit again for service. (http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-WH1-Effo-t1-body-d6-d6.html) Quick facts and figures about World War 1 - The total population of New Zealand in 1914 was approximately 1.1 million - Almost 100,000 New Zealanders served overseas in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force (NZEF) - More than 2200 Māori and around 500 Pacific Islanders served overseas with the New Zealand forces - 11 Victoria Crosses were awarded to soldiers serving with New Zealand forces - Several thousand New Zealanders served in the Australian or British imperial forces, being awarded a further five Victoria Crosses - In all, 550 nurses served overseas with the New Zealand Army Nursing Service, while others enlisted in the United Kingdom - Around 18,000 New Zealanders died in or because of the war, and there were 41,000 instances of wounding or illness; 2779 died at Gallipoli and more than 12,000 on the Western Front - The names of those who died are recorded on approximately 500 civic war memorials throughout New Zealand (https://nzhistory.govt.nz/war/first-world-war-overview/introduction)