Medical records from the Woodilee Asylum - obtained through the NHS archives - provide a harrowing glimpse of the bleakness of four soldiers’ final months.
Thomas Nelson, was married, with two sons and three daughters, when he was admitted on an “emergency” basis to the Woodilee Asylum on March 13 1916.
His records describe him as “frequently restless and excited, believing the Germans are here and and putting bombs under his bed”.
They also note that he had “no true appreciation of his position and circumstances”, suffering from “exaggerated notions of his position and wealth, thinking that he is King of Britain and that he is a millionaire.”
He was also considered to be dangerous.
William Gallacher, was admitted to the Woodilee under a military certification on November 7, 1916.
His early records note that “he has marked suicidal tendencies, is restless and constantly getting out of bed. He is dull and depressed. He wets the bed.”
It goes on: “He is dull and depressed and requires constant supervision owing to suicidal propensities. Complains of pains in the head and looks dejected. He made an attempt to strangle himself.”
In the 18 months he spent as a patient just four brief entries were added to his treatment notes and by January 1918, four months before his death, his documents state that “he lies in bed and answers nothing that is said to him”.
James Weir’s admission paperwork reveals that he had “been at the front and has twice been wounded in the head” and that he suffered a “nervous breakdown while in active service”.
He arrived at Woodilee Asylum on June 8, 1916 where his condition - physical and mental - “steadily deteriorated.”
He was paralysed, unable to get out of bed, and said “little beyond ‘yes’ and ‘no’.”
On March 21, 1918, a medical attendant noted: “Patient had laryngitis lately and now suffers from dysphagia. He does not suffer so much now but is much weaker than formerly.” He died three days later.
William Lemon, the last of the four to die, was described as being “simple and stupid in appearance” on admission to the asylum on April 24, 1918.
He suffered from “morbid delusions” while also believing himself to be the “Emperor of England”.
The doctors also noted that his illness “began while in the Army, previously he was all right”.
A few days before he died he fell out of bed in the night, sustaining an injury below his left eye, and was described as being “in a very helpless state” requiring “constant and vigilant supervision”.
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