Personal Photographs
1915 The Curragh: Postcard to his mother 4th Sept 1915.
Alfred Crossley - 1st on left of photo.
Alfred Crossley - 1st on left of photo.
1915 DLOY Heaton Park (Alfred Crossley seated right of 4, next to the soldier with the brush. Cap no jacket.)
1915 DLOY Alfred Crossley standing, 2nd left.
1915 Heaton Park. Behind the line of 8 standing are 3 - Alfred is in the middle of the 3.
1917 Monmouth:long standing row - Alfred has his left shoulder next to nurse with cross; no cap. Alfred had been returned to "Blighty" with frostbite and is seen here wearing "Hospital Blues." See below for more details...
Hospital Blues Uniform WW1
The photograph below depicts the Hospital Blues Uniform that was worn by patients in Military or Convalescence Hospitals during World War One. A History of this convalescence suit follows.
The Hospital Blues uniform was worn by those patients who could get out of bed. They were a flannel type material of Oxford blue hue with a single breasted suit and trousers. Each had a white lining. The tie would have been red and the shirt white. Regimental caps were worn and medals were displayed on the left breast. Those with missing limbs would have had their arms and trouser legs of the missing limbs carefully folded up and pinned back. Those lucky enough to still have feet, wore either both boots, highly polished or just a sad lonely one.
The Hospital Blues uniform were also known as the blue invalid uniform, convalescent blues or hospital undress. Sizing could be hit or miss and this is why in some photographs the inner linings can be seen.