[Dame Ethel Locke King and Winifred Bidwell.] Autograph Letter Signed to Miss Martin Wood from Bidwell, enclosing another to Bidwell from Dame Ethel Locke King, regarding the employment of Wood at Caens Hill Auxiliary Military Hospital.

Caen's Hill was the property of Mrs Locke King's husband, and opened as a hospital with 32 beds in 1914, with Mrs Locke King as Commandant of the Voluntary Aid Detachment. Two years later it had 44 beds. It shut in 1919. After the war the Locke Kings developed motor racing in the area, with the celebrated Brooklands track. For more on Locke King and her distinguished war work, see her entry in the Oxford DNB and two articles in The Times, 6 and 14 August 1956. Both items 1p., 4to, in good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Both were delivered in the same stamped envelope, with postmark of 22 September 1915, addressed by Bidwell to 'Miss Martin Wood | Clifton Cottage | Weybridge'. ONE: In her letter of 22 September 1915 to Wood Bidwell writes: 'I have just received enclosed from Mrs. Locke King [i.e. Item Two]. I expect you are away from home now, but if you would like the job, will you please let me know at once, and also how soon you will be at home?' She concludes with the news that she is acting as 'understudy' while her mother is away for a week. TWO: Locke King begins her letter to Bidwell of 21 September 1915: 'Dear Miss Bidwell. | Should I write to you in Mrs. Bidwell's absence? | I want to know whether Miss Martin Wood could undertake linen-maid's work at Caenshill. | She does not seem to be strong enough for ward-work & this should be a bit lighter - If she will, will you ask her to go to see Mrs. Parry the quarter master, as soon as possible.' She concludes with details of how to contact Parry, and a phone number. Signed 'E Locke King'.