Amateur film shot by Arthur Green, a Greater London Council Assistant Scientific Officer, records official opening of the new Outpatients' Department at Woolwich Memorial Hospital by HRH Princess Marina, the Duchess of Kent in 1953.

Opening title "Woolwich Memorial Hospital", superimposed over an image of the hospital. Title "Opening of the MEMORIAL HOSPITAL OUTPATIENTS' DEPARTMENT by HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUCHESS OF KENT G.I., G.C.V.O., G.B.E. Patron of the Woolwich Memorial Hospital". Nurses and female hospital employees assembling on the grass outside of the hospital entrance. (The assembled nurses include two West Indian nurses presumably recently recruited by the new National Health Service). Various officials and dignitaries move past the camera. Six military trumpeters playing a fanfare to mark the Duchess's arrival. Rolls Royce car (registration YR11) driving towards the camera, HRH Princess Marina, The Duchess of Kent, accompanied by her lady-in-waiting, are greeted by the Lady Mayor. The Duchess is introduced to members of the hospital staff and dignitaries. The Duchess then enters a large tent and listens to various speeches. Inside the new Outpatients' Department, the Duchess unveils a wall plaque to commemorates the opening and then signs a visitors book (?). The Duchess and a Matron pose briefly for the camera. Dark interior shots of the Duchess being introduced to members of the hospital staff. The Duchess is then seen touring the new outpatient facilities. The Duchess is clapped as she walks a large group of nurses assembled on the lawn. She then visits one of the men's wards and two of the women's wards in the hospital. She also visits a children's ward and is seen talking with some of the children. Nurses, hospital staff and visitors taking tea on the grass outside the large tent. The Duchess leaves the hospital, departing in her Rolls Royce car past a small group of waving nurses. The film ends with a small group of nurses walking towards the camera and title The End super-imposed over an image of the hospital.

Notes

Also known as the Woolwich and District Memorial Hospital, located in Shooters Hill, London SE18.

Arthur Frederick Green b. 3/7/1904 d. 3/2/2001