Liberated on 2nd April 1945, Edwards war was over. Alive but in poor medical condition Edward now needed to make it home. How long this took and by what means is not yet clear. What we do know from the collection however, is that on the 17th of April 1945 a letter was sent to the Timothy family with an update of is circumstances.
The receipt of an Army Form "A 2024 A" meant the same in 1945 as it had done in the great war previous. Advice on admission to hospital. Whilst concerning news, this postcard will have likely served as a great message of relief to the Timothy family also. Not only was Edward now in the hands of medical professionals, but the reverse confirmed, he was in England.
Admitted to what appears to read "Ward 9" Edward was confirmed as now residing in Meanwood Park Ems Hospital in Leeds. With no detail of his condition or the treatment he was receiving, Edwards parents will likely have been keen to visit after many years of absence. However the document makes very clear to the reader they are not to visit the hospital until advised otherwise.
It was for a number of reasons that this was made policy. Such centres were not equipped for the potential influx of visitors across the country as relatives returned home from war. Neither was the countries war torn infrastructure. It is also suggested the authorities were keen, even in the case of those not wounded or injured to ensure soldiers returned home in a good healthy condition having at least suffered a period of malnutrition and physical hardship. Such centres were not just tending to the wounded, but commonly providing a period of rehabilitation having learnt lessons from the Great War previous.
Located to the north of Leeds, Edward now found himself just over 100 miles north of his family home in Birmingham.
Subject of a recent Channel 4 documentary (Stolen Lives), Meanwood Park, on the site of a mansion (Meanwood Hall) and grounds, had been rented by the Leeds Corporation pre war as a "Colony" for the mentally handicapped. During the war the site became part of the emergency medical service receiving war casualties from abroad. These arrived by train via Leeds and Bradford respectively as Edward likely will have done.
(Digital archive for further information of the site: http://www.meanwoodpark.co.uk/)
The existing residents were moved to some of the sites Villas with the majority of the site now being allocated to the care of the incoming soldiers. Edward will have had his injuries cared for during his time at Meanwood, and started his nutritional rehabilitation with the slow introduction of common food stuffs.
The hospital took on many forms and roles following its use during the war, finally closing its doors to patients in 1997. Meanwood Hall however still stands as a Grade II listed building having been built in 1762. It has since been converted into flats with its grounds having also been developed for housing. The hall now sits upon one of the new housing estate roads called Woodlea Drive.
(Source: Google Street View 2019)
Here Edward would reside until deemed fit for discharge. He likely spent time in the hall itself before moving to one of the many Villas as his condition improved. Edwards war journey was coming to a close. But at what cost.
(Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/)
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