Cheltenham General Hospital

In the summer of 1900, after Wilson qualified as a medical doctor, he worked briefly as a locum and then junior house surgeon at Cheltenham General Hospital, where he gave anaesthetics and performed minor surgery. Unfortunately, in the course of his medical duties he cut himself, and developed blood poisoning and an abscess of the axilla. He was then forced to resign from his post.

Remarkably, however, a few months later, having recently had pus drained from his armpit, he went before the Antarctic committee with his arm still in a sling; although he was by no means fully fit, he was successfully recruited for the Discovery expedition.

Continue along Sandford Road and turn right into College Road. As you walk along College Road notice St Luke’s church on your left. This was the place where Ted’s parents got married on 18 April 1865. At the end of College Road turn right and cross over to 24 London Road