St Paul’s Church #14

St Paul’s Church is home to several very interesting items. In the western corners of the nave, there are two flags. One represents the local South African Wars Veterans’ Association, while the other is the Red Cross Flag that flew over the Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) Hospital in the Great War. The hospital was located in the house known as Rust Hall, with a nurses’ hostal situated nearby at The Beacon. Later, as the number of war casualties grew, the hospital was relocated to the Girls’ School. Many wealthy local people lent their financial backing to the hospital, with one of the most notable being Rachel Beer, aunt of First World War poet Siegfried Sassoon, who lived at Chancellor House.

Read more about the church at www.stpaulsrusthall.org.uk , or check back for more facts with the next St Paul’s postcard.

With thanks and credits to Geoffrey Copus at St Paul’s Church.