Hospital’s history runs deep in the community A Jan. 29, 1948 fire destroyed the original WLMH site, the former clubhouse for Deer Park Golf Club, which was donated by C.J. Eames. (Photo provided by John Allan)
By Dorothy Turcotte hen the West Lincoln Memorial Hospital opened on Jan. 6, 1946, residents of the surrounding area were elated. When seriously ill or injured, they no longer had to rely on homecare from their family doctor or make a long, painful journey by car or train to a hospital in the city. No longer need they be separated from family and friends when they needed them most. At last! They could receive the best medical care right here in their own community. It all began on Dec. 6, 1942. Two of Grimsby’s best known citizens stopped by to chat on the steps of the post office. They were Dr. J.R. MacMillan and Alexander (Sandy) Globe. In the course of their conversation, the need for a hospital in the community was discussed. It was all an idea that had been “going around” for a long time. Now, it seemed that its time had come. Both men left the brief encounter with an agreement to pursue the matter. Sandy Globe was a member of the Lions Club, and his enthusiasm for the project rubbed off on the entire group. When C.J. Eames, owner of both the Hamilton department store and the Deer Park Golf Club, offered the clubhouse for a hospital, plans for fundraising began immediately. The Deer Park property got its name from the days when it was owned by the Hewitt family who had fenced it in and turned it into a private deer sanctuary. Mr. Eames had later turned it into a golf course, and now he offered to donate the club house for use as a hospital, providing the community could raise enough money to
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Sandy Globe, who had worked so convert the building. hard to make this dream a reality, It was wartime, when manwas presented with the Lions Club power and supplies of almost Citizenship Award, in honour of his everything were in short supply. part in establishing the hospital. Yet the people of Grimsby and the The first patient was admitted on surrounding area began to offer Jan. 7, 1946. During the balance of their help as soon as they heard of that month a total of 46 patients were plans for the hospital. treated. Eleven were from Grimsby, In Sept. 1943, the first fund18 from Beamsville, two from Smithraising drive was announced with DOROTHY ville, five from Grassies, five from the goal of $15,000. Further TURCOTTE Winona and five from Clinton. drives were held, to raise a total of In Oct., 1947, it was announced that the $50,000 to cover the necessary alterations and hospital would need to expand. equipment. Everyone, including local doctors, During the first nine months of the year, gave generously. Local municipalities - Beams1,111 patients had been treated, compared ville, Winona and the townships of North to 927 for all of the previous year. Plans were Grimsby, South Grimsby, Caistor, Louth and underway for a new 10-bed wing. Clinton – were asked to provide an annual On Dec. 18, the following advertisement grant, and they all came through. appeared in The Independent under the heading The Women’s Auxiliary was formed in 1944 “The Hospital on the Hill”. with 39 members. Another auxiliary was “The directors and staff and Ladies’ Auxiliary organized in Beamsville, and eventually the of YOUR hospital extend best wishes for a two groups became one. They provided the Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. new hospital with 300 bed sheets, 200 pillow Another utility owned and operated by the cases, 56 baby blankets, 181 bath towels, 49 people of West Lincoln.” bedspreads, 89 crib sheets, 100 bedgowns and The need for a new wing soon became 24 doctors’ gowns. redundant. On Jan. 29, 1948, a patient in the The Deer Park clubhouse was to be conobstetrical ward heard flames crackling in the verted to an 18-bed hospital with an operwalls of her room. In spite of prompt action by ating room, X-ray facilities, and labor and the fire department and hundreds of citizens delivery rooms. There were to be ten general who came out in the below-zero Fahrenheit staff and ten nurses. It was decided to call it weather, the building could not be saved. West Lincoln Memorial Hospital to honour Within an hour it was reduced to rubble. the memory of past generations who laid the Eighteen patients and babies were quickly foundation for the development of Grimsby and the surrounding area.
8 July 2021 One Team. One Dream. Magazine
