Behind the scenes.
The Maitland Hospital Collection includes a set of snapshot photographs. They are the small, sepia coloured variety dating from the mid-twentieth century. Many have the names of the people in the photographs written on the back. Most have pinholes indicating that, at some stage, they were pinned up and on display.
The photographer is possibly hospital employee George Gregson. The names of the people in the photographs, and the style of snapshot print indicate that the photographs were taken in the 1940s and 1950s.
The photographs are primarily of the staff who work behind the scenes in maintenance, catering, laundry and domestic tasks to keep the hospital running.
We are seeking assistance to identify the people in the photographs who are currently not named. We are also seeking details and information about the people in the photographs and the work they did.
‘Ron Adams, Jock Branch’
(Maitland Hospital Collection 165.6)
Who are the four women?
‘Back row: Lyall Stone, George Challen, George Gregson, Jimmy Jones.
Middle row: Eric Ninness, Ernie Taylor, Cliff Higgs, Harry Cliff.
Front row: Bill Moffatt, Gordon Courtney.’
(Maitland Hospital Collection 165.10)
‘Left to right: Bill Fisher, Bill McCleod, Johnny Garnham, Claude Watson, Ted Challen, Bill Lurney, Mick Dooley, Gordon Courtney, Keith Cobby.’
(Maitland Hospital Collection 165.11)
‘Bill Moffatt’
(Maitland Hospital Collection 165.12)
‘Bill Moffat, Thelma Power, Jock Branch.’
(Maitland Hospital Collection 165.14)
‘Jock Churches, Lloyd Stone, Ron Adams, Len Gregson.;
(Maitland Hospital Collection 165.20)
‘Keith Dilley, George Gregson.’
(Maitland Hospital Collection 165.23)
‘Dad at work. George Gregson.’
(Maitland Hospital Collection 165.39b)
Unidentified group of women - possibly kitchen and/or laundry staff.
(Maitland Hospital Collection 165.61)
Unidentified group of women - possibly kitchen and/or laundry staff.
Jennifer O’Neill identified the woman on the far right in the back row as her aunt Jean O’Neill who worked at the hospital all her working life. First in the hospital laundry and then, when it closed, as the linen lady (ensuring linen was fully stocked in each ward). She retired in about 1988. She was also very active in the Hospital Auxiliary fundraising.
(Maitland Hospital Collection 165.62)
Unidentified group.
(Maitland Hospital Collection 165.63)
Jennifer O’Neill identified the man in the front row as Ronald (Ron) Humbles. His staff record card (MHC Item 317) notes he was born in 1920, joined the hospital domestic staff in 1948, and had a wife and five children.
‘George Gregson, Percy King.’
(Maitland Hospital Collection 165.90)
The men are standing at what was the main entrance to the hospital in the 1940s. It is located in Building I between the 1849 original building and the 1930s/1940s ward building (Building H).
First entered: 12 May 2021
Updated: 28 December 2022