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There are many stories that people will tell you about a patient from Rounday Hospital called Frankie Baker. He was always to be seen around town and everyone knew him and liked him. He used to pinch milk bottles from doorsteps, drink the cream off the top, add two tea bags and some sugar then shake it up and drink the rest.
Bill Underwood continues...
He came into our shop nearly every day and we accepted him for what he was. One day I was cutting someone's hair and it was taking a long time because the customer was a great talker, when I became aware of how impatient my next customer was getting, waiting for the next turn.
I had almost finished when who should come in but Frankie. He came up to me (he used to talk mainly gibberish) and said, "I want a tube of toothpaste, a brush to go with it, a comb and a packet of razor blades." "All right", I said, "sit down and I'll sort you out in a minute", I knew he didn't really want anything.
As I finished cutting the hair I could see him in the mirror recounting to himself these items, first on his fingers, and then after removing his dentures, on his teeth! I could also see the impatient customer looking at him in alarm so I quickly finished and just as he stepped from the chair, Frankie, who had just got through reciting his list of 'requirements' again added, "...and a haircut to go with it", and jumped into the chair!
Luckily I managed to usher him out of the shop with the request that "he should come back later" and so I was able to continue with the next customer before he finally walked out!
He was so well liked that when he died, instead of the modest service and quiet burial usually held for patients at the hospital, his was a very well-attended affair with many people from the town turning up.
Not having expected such a turnout, the curate had to quickly find an organist. Ron Newman, who worked at the hospital, was organist for the hospital and he was found and the event became a much more suitable memorial service for him. 
Roundway Hospital nurses displaying their new uniforms c. mid 1930's. They are Margaret and Joyce Scudamore.
 | From:
Devizes Voices compiled by David Buxton
Tempus Publishing
ISBN 0 7524 0661 2
£9.99
For a complete list of local history books published by Tempus Publishing visit: www.tempus-publishing.com |
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