Mr Herbert Seth Mitchell
Orderly, Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD), British Red Cross
Date of Birth: 12th December 1888
Place of Birth: Teignmouth, Devon
Date of Death: 15th August 1956 aged 68
Buried: Teignmouth Old Cemetery, plot RR7
VAD hat badge
Herbert Seth Mitchell was born on the 12th December 1888, in Teignmouth, Devon.
His father Seth Mitchell was born in Camelford, Cornwall (c. 1876), and his mother, Phebe Mitchell née Horton was born in Cornwood, Devon (c. 1871).
In 1901, Herbert was living at Brunswick Street, Teignmouth, with his father (who was a tailor at that time), his mother, and his half-brother Ernest David Harnett Horton who was working as a clothing and outfitter assistant in the family business. The family also had 3 boarders and one general servant living with them.
Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) motor ambulance drivers. © IWM (Q 2440)
By 1911, the family had moved to 5 Northumberland Place, Teignmouth. The house had 12 main rooms. Herbert's father was at that point a 'Carriage Proprietor' and Herbert was an 'Assistant At Home In Business'.
Two of Herbert's cousins were living with them then, Nellie Commins who had been born in Camelford Cornwall (c. 1894) and Aubrey Broom who was born in Plympton in Devon (c. 1897). Aubrey was helping with the business.
Herbert was engaged with the Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) from 1914 - 1919, during that time he worked at the Newton Abbot VA Hospital as an orderly. His duties included hospital transport and night orderly work.
In the fourth quarter of 1934, Herbert married Emily Bonfield Hearne, their marriage was registed at Newton Abbot.
By 1939, Herbert and Emily were living at 2A East Brook Street, Teignmouth, Herbert was working as a general porter at that point. Herbert's parents were still living in Teignmouth and his father was working as a cab driver.
Herbert died in 1956 aged 68. He was buried in plot RR7 at Teignmouth Cemetery together with his wife Emily who died in 1951. Herbert's parents Seth and Phoebe are also buried in the cemetery (in plot Gq264).
Newton Hall VAD Hospital, Newton Abbot
Newton Hall VA Hospital was opened in 1914 and run by the St John's Ambulance Brigade. It began as a 40 bed hospital but was subsequently enlarged to about 100 beds.
Two Hours' Notice
"The St John Hospital at Newton Abbot received a sudden message that forty cases were coming direct from overseas and would be with them in two hours time. The hospital was not open to patients but the staff turned to, and within two hours forty beds were ready for the men."
The Story of British V.A.D. work in the Great War by Thekla Bowser
Photo taken at the Newton Abbot VA hospital (TBC) From the Teign Heritage Collection
The rail connection between Teignmouth and Newton Abbot in Devon existed during WW1.
As it is only a 10 minute between the two towns so several of the Teignmouth and Shaldon VAD nurses and support workers worked at the Newton Abbot VAD hospital.
“2,560 patients have passed through the hospital, (1914-1919) but although many were very critical cases, only six deaths have occurred during the whole time, which is a remarkable tribute to the zealous care shown by the doctors and trained staff.
It was a first line hospital and received patients direct from overseas.”
Mid Devon Advertiser
The Newton Hall VAD Hospital was located on College Road, Newton Abbot, it closed in 1919 and was later demolished.
Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) Records
Date of engagement with VAD: 1914 - 1919.
Rank: Orderly.
Duties: Hospital transport and night orderly.
Service rendered at:
Voluntary Aid Detachment Newton Abbot, Devon.
Number of hours served: 1000 (worked part-time).
Paid: £0.
Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) Cards
Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) Card. ©2018 British Red Cross (CC BY-NC 2.0 UK)
Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) Card. ©2018 British Red Cross (CC BY-NC 2.0 UK)
