This year, on August 4, it was the 110th anniversary of Britain declaring war on Germany and the start of the First World War.

To mark the anniversary, Blenheim Palace has revealed it has a special album of letters, photographs and entries from when the UNESCO World Heritage Site was used as a hospital, between autumn 1914 and May 1915.

The 9th Duke of Marlborough opened up his Woodstock home for use as a convalescence hospital in the early months of the Great War, and it was run by Sister Amy Munn.

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In the hospital album, she noted: "Blenheim Palace was closed as a hospital on May 31, 1915 and the numerous letters received from the trenches since then are eloquent of the affection of the men for their ‘Home’ and to the Duke of Marlborough for his unfailing kindness and sympathy to them."

The album lists the name, rank and age of each patient as well as his regiment and ailment or complaint.

(Image: Blenheim Palace) There is also a column in which the patient could make his remarks upon discharge - the date of which is also noted.

The complaints of the teenagers and young men vary greatly, from gunshot wounds, gas poisoning and shrapnel to the flu, rheumatism and even frostbite.

Photographs and letters of thanks are also included in the album, and it becomes apparent that Sister Munn wrote a postcard to each of the men who had been under her care to find out how they had fared once they left Blenheim.

The responses were many and varied - some wrote from the trenches, others who were sent to recover elsewhere compared their latest treatment to the care they had received at Blenheim.

(Image: Blenheim Palace) Some of the letters are from distressed and grieving relatives who, having seen photographs of the patients in a newspaper article of the time, write in the hope that the familiar looking man in the image will turn out to be a son, husband or father who has been reported as missing in action.

There were also letters notifying Sister Munn of the death of someone who had previously been in her care.

It also became apparent that the Duke presented Sister Munn with a diamond brooch in recognition of all her care and hard work.

Antonia Keaney, social historian at Blenheim Palace, said: “The album is an absolute goldmine and is an amazing snapshot of the early days of the First World War when the men and their families couldn’t have begun to imagine the horrors that lay ahead or how long it would drag on for.

(Image: Oxford Mail) "The letters all contain expressions of gratitude to the Duke and Sister Munn, so it is incredible to be able to share this fascinating piece of history which is very important to us here at Blenheim Palace.”

The album is going to be displayed at Woodstock's Blenheim Palace in the Long Library for the weekend of August 3 to August 4.

For more information and to book tickets visit blenheimpalace.com/whats-on/events/hospital-albums-ww1/ and www.blenheimpalace.com

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

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