From hell... to the splendour of Blenheim Palace: Photos reveal how Winston Churchill’s birthplace was turned into a hospital for injured WWI troops

One of Britain's most prestigious country houses became a hospital for wounded First World War troops
The hospital, which opened in September 1914 in the palace's Long Library, could accommodate 50 soldiers
Staff also fashioned a surgery room, a reading room and a smoking room within the luxurious premises

A series of photographs have revealed what went on behind the scenes as one of Britain's most prestigious country houses was transformed into a hospital for wounded First World War soldiers.

Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, was converted into a convalescent hospital more than 100 years ago at the behest of the Marlborough family.

The hospital, which opened in September 1914 in the palace's Long Library, could accommodate 50 soldiers and they also fashioned a surgery room, a reading room and a smoking room within the luxurious premises.

A local doctor and a small team of nurses cared for stricken soldiers while a nearby chemist regularly sent over the necessary supplies.

Then-and-now photos document how the library was a hive of activity with nurses tending to rows of bed-ridden soldiers

Today it is a far more tranquil picture with sofas and a long red carpet

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Then-and-now photos document how the library was a hive of activity with nurses tending to rows of bed-ridden soldiers; today it is a far more tranquil picture with sofas and a long red carpet

Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire was converted into a convalescent hospital more than 100 years ago at the behest of the Marlborough family. A local doctor and a small team of nurses cared for stricken soldiers while a nearby chemist regularly sent over the necessary supplies

The 9th Duke of Marlborough's housekeeper arranged for the soldiers' washing to be done in the palace laundry.

Locals also sent in treats for the injured and the ladies of the parish knitted bed jackets for them.

The photos, which had until now been kept in an album, have been unearthed alongside an admissions book recording each of the soldiers' personal details and injuries.

One photo shows soldiers, some supporting themselves with crutches, stood with nurses at the entrance of the palace.

Another captures a group of convalescing soldiers engaged in a spot of fishing in the palace's scenic grounds.

There are games of rugby for the more energetic on the road to recovery, or leisurely games of cards inside the palace for those less mobile.

Then-and-now photos document how the library was a hive of activity with nurses tending to rows of bed-ridden soldiers. Today it is a far more tranquil picture with sofas and a long red carpet.

The hospital was the brainchild of the 9th Duke of Marlborough's sisters and Gwendoline Spencer Churchill, the wife of Winston Churchill's younger brother Jack.

The hospital was the brainchild of the 9th Duke of Marlborough's sisters and Gwendoline Spencer Churchill, the wife of Winston Churchill's younger brother Jack. The Marlborough's rallied to help troops during the war effort, despite losing members of their own family in action

The 9th Duke of Marlborough's housekeeper arranged for the soldiers' washing to be done in the palace laundry, while locals sent in treats for the injured and the ladies of the parish knitted bed jackets for them. Pictured, the hospital football team

The photos showcase Blenheim's role in the Great War, the courage and fortitude of the soldiers and the extraordinary compassion and dedication of the entire nursing staff and the generosity of the local community

The Marlborough's rallied to help troops during the war effort, despite losing members of their own family in action.

Churchill's maternal cousin Captain Norman Leslie was the first family member killed on October 19, 1914.

The Eton-educated officer served in the 3rd Battalion Rifle Brigade and while on a reconnaissance patrol at a railway embankment near Lillle he was picked off by a German sniper.

In October 1915 Lieutenant Wilfred Sheridan, the husband of Churchill's cousin Clare Sheridan, was killed while leading his men at the Battle of Loos.

Several more of Churchill's cousins were badly wounded in the war.

Henry John Innes-Ker, the 8th Duke of Roxburghe, and his brother Captain Lord Alistair Innes-Ker were shot in the scrotum and head respectively.

Included in the newly rediscovered archive is a poignant scrapbook featuring personal messages, heartfelt thank you letters, photographs and newspaper cuttings.

Dozens of notes addressed to the woman in charge of the hospital, Sister Amy Munn, conveyed the wounded soldiers' gratitude for her care and kindness.

In a letter of thanks to Sister Munn, a Lance Corporal said: 'I do not relish the idea of volunteering for France but if I get warned for it next month, as I fully expect to be, I shall go with a good heart.'

Alongside the letters are a series of agonising correspondence from relatives hoping to find news of their missing loved ones.

Included in the newly rediscovered archive is a poignant scrapbook featuring personal messages, heartfelt thank you letters, photographs and newspaper cuttings. Dozens of notes addressed to the woman in charge of the hospital, Sister Amy Munn, conveyed the wounded soldiers' gratitude for her care and kindness. Pictured, Wounded soldiers icould also enjoy the vast grounds of the palace

The hospital football team pose for a photograph with some of their nurses and staff from the palace

The striking image captures a group of convalescing soldiers engaged in a spot of fishing in the palace's scenic grounds

Card school in the Great Library: There were games of rugby for energetic soldiers on the road to recovery, or more leisurely games of cards inside the palace for those who were taking things a bit easier

The letters were prompted by a feature printed in a number of national newspapers in 1914 depicting soldiers recuperating at the palace.

One was sent by a woman who believed her missing son was among those pictured in the story.

In a letter dated March 2, 1915, which included the newspaper cutting with a cross marked above the head of one of the soldiers, she wrote: 'My dear son has been missing since the 14th of September 1914 and I cannot get to know anything about him.

'This photo is the nearest to anything I have seen of him, only he looks very drawn. Will you please reply and relieve a sorrowing mother?'

Blenheim Palace archivist Alexa Frost said: 'This album is a unique record of Blenheim's role in the Great War and demonstrates both the courage and fortitude of the injured and wounded soldiers as well as the extraordinary compassion and dedication of the entire nursing staff and the generosity of the local community.

'To have first hand accounts of the men's experiences, emotions and feelings as well as those of their families and the media of the time is priceless and adds a compelling new dimension to the Palace's rich history.'

The hospital closed at the end of May 1915 but the palace was again converted during the Second World War, this time into an MI5 base.

Today the estate in Woodstock, Oxon, is a World Heritage Site and a thriving tourist attraction which welcomes more than 800,000 visitors a year.