Memories of the Canadian Hospital demolished in the 1980s were fast disappearing, along with the generation who had been treated there. We created a mural to keep alive these memories, the design resembling pages from scrapbooks that could have been completed by patients. The hands-on look and feel has been emphasised by adding aged, roughly torn sellotape, pins stuck in haphazardly, and hand drawn headings.

From 1917–1919 more than 15,000 wounded soldiers were treated at the 16th Canadian General Hospital in Orpington, Kent, a collection of huts constructed by the government of Ontario. In its heyday, the Canadian Hospital in Orpington was one of the largest and most up-to-date military hospitals in the world. The 'temporary' buildings were demolished in the 1980s and the site's history survives only in names – Canada Wing, Ontario Ward, the 'Canadian Corner' in the graveyard.

We were commissioned by Josie Aston, arts coordinator, to design a mural that would be displayed in the entrance of the Orpington Hospital, Greater London. She researched and developed the project along with Bromley Museum and people local to the area.

The design of the mural resembles scrapbook pages, as if completed by patients while staying at the hospital. Falling maple leaves in autumn colours frame the top of the mural; the leaves also utilised to display a time-line featuring key dates from World War 1. The red poppy of the Flanders Fields is very symbolic of World War 1 and we arranged a field of poppies at the base of the mural as a visual reminder. The mural was unveiled on 6 November 2009 in time for Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day.

Feedback

"I hope it is not too fanciful to say that through working on this project, I now feel a connection both to previous generations and to many colleagues across the world. Some parts of history are too important to be allowed to die with the people who experienced them. Everything was changing in the early twentieth century – warfare, medical care, political and economic realities. In the story of the Canadian Hospital I believe we can see the start of changes that are still playing themselves out today. I'm really pleased with the project - it has been great to see my plans come to fruition after a long hard year of fundraising."

Josie Aston, Project Organiser/Fundraiser

"… The former 70 acre site is now represented by this fabulous mural here in the Canada Wing, which wonderfully represents life at the Ontario Hospital during the difficult and good times experienced by both hospital staff and patients. It is testament to the soldiers that fought so bravely for us all during troubled times and I am convinced that they would be very pleased with the memorial we have left them and are leaving for our future generations. We can ill afford to forget those that sacrificed themselves for the cause of good – whether they were fighting soldiers, hospital specialists or engaged citizens…"

Lieutenant-Colonel Denis Janelle, CD

Army Adviser, Canadian High Commission