Trevorretired
New Member
Hi Tony, I may be wrong but I seem to remember your name from Davos although I was there in 1956. Is my memory playing tricks? My name is Trevor Stockton
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Davos, Switzerland Sunday Mercury & Kunzle
- Thread starter BordesleyExile
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Tony Beasley
proper brummie kid
Hi Charles.
What year did you go to Davos?. I was their in 1953. for 6 months.
Tony.
What year did you go to Davos?. I was their in 1953. for 6 months.
Tony.
danishlock
Brummie babby
I was there somewhat later, at Caselva, from November 1967 to June 1968. I was there again this summer (my first visit in almost twenty years) and was sad to find that Caselva has been torn down, Pro Juventute is being readied for 'development', and not much is left of what we remember -- apart from St Luke's, forlorn relic of the area now hardly remembered as 'the English Quarter'. However, in compensation there are the Davos archives with Timothy Nelson, the archivist, working with the utmost dedication to preserve the records of Davos as a health resort. *So much had changed that I felt grateful to the mountains: they have not altered much, in shape or aspect.
Charles
keith jones
Brummie babby
Yes I live in birmingham , I went over about April 1967 and came home about October that year .i had my 10th birthday in davos .
Tony Beasley
proper brummie kid
Hi Trevor.
I was in davos in 1953 for six months. The adults that accompanied us were Miss Skivington, Miss Aize, and head person was a Mr Yoxall, plus two dinner ladies. I hope to include Davos into my holiday next summer. All the best. Tony.
I was in davos in 1953 for six months. The adults that accompanied us were Miss Skivington, Miss Aize, and head person was a Mr Yoxall, plus two dinner ladies. I hope to include Davos into my holiday next summer. All the best. Tony.
keith jones
Brummie babby
Jhon hemming .nigel mamalis. The only names I remember.
colinwrichards
New Member
Hi Gillian, just came across your message reference Sanatorium Sanitas, certainly was a long time ago, but what memories. I was also there in 1971 and have a few photos
which help. I know your messages where dated a few years ago, but i would love to hear from you, take care.
Colin Richards...
which help. I know your messages where dated a few years ago, but i would love to hear from you, take care.
Colin Richards...
Hi Steve... You have a great recollection of events of 50 + years ago.
I was there 1966 to 1967 8 months in total I spent my 7[SUP]th[/SUP] birthday there.
Although I don’t remember things as clearly as you. I remember a fellow Brummie from Kingstanding called Christopher Stanton, and sadly remember one older boy that unfortunately died whilst we was playing together in his room,
I have always held Davos in my heart and strongly believe that the experience I had at such a young lad set me up for life..
Reading your stories brings a lot flooding back to me
Thanks for that..
Clive Leach..
I was there 1966 to 1967 8 months in total I spent my 7[SUP]th[/SUP] birthday there.
Although I don’t remember things as clearly as you. I remember a fellow Brummie from Kingstanding called Christopher Stanton, and sadly remember one older boy that unfortunately died whilst we was playing together in his room,
I have always held Davos in my heart and strongly believe that the experience I had at such a young lad set me up for life..
Reading your stories brings a lot flooding back to me
Thanks for that..
Clive Leach..
Hi Helping my partner sort out her family history--I obtained original letters written by a girl Edie Davison who was at the Kunzle Chateau in 1936. She was to die later in the year and was buried at St Matthews Church, Duddeston Birmingham on
23rd December 1936. Her letters were full of the usual stuff(she was 20 when she died)--asking how her widowed Mom and siblings were getting on--and her boyfriend Jack. Edie had TB(Consumption)--and I think it was the last throw of the dice for her. As it was a poignant letter(and my hobby is writing songs)--I put this little ditty together. I pictured her alone one late February afternoon in her dormitory--writing a letter home.
Hello England, hello Brum
Lupin Street and dearest Mom
Lover Jack and hazy sun
And air that I can`t breathe
Thirteen kisses my pen drips
Substitution for my lips
Daughter Edie`s thrilled to bits
May God be kind to me?
I hope this is not too much?
Roger
xmas 54
23rd December 1936. Her letters were full of the usual stuff(she was 20 when she died)--asking how her widowed Mom and siblings were getting on--and her boyfriend Jack. Edie had TB(Consumption)--and I think it was the last throw of the dice for her. As it was a poignant letter(and my hobby is writing songs)--I put this little ditty together. I pictured her alone one late February afternoon in her dormitory--writing a letter home.
Hello England, hello Brum
Lupin Street and dearest Mom
Lover Jack and hazy sun
And air that I can`t breathe
Thirteen kisses my pen drips
Substitution for my lips
Daughter Edie`s thrilled to bits
May God be kind to me?
I hope this is not too much?
Roger
xmas 54
Yvonne Adams
New Member
Hi my name is Yvonne Adams. I was there at that time. I came from Coventry, and I flew out with with two boys and a younger girl. There was also a boy called Max who came from Coventry. I do have photos so I am going to find them
Yvonne Adams
New Member
Our teacher was Lady Sarah Overton who came from the Red Cross. I can remember there was a girl called Sue from near Southend on sea.
Yvonne Adams
New Member
My name is Yvonne Adams, was there 1961 to 1963. There was an English church just down the road. The vicar was called mr Doll an, he and his wife were very kind , and we often went for tea. We were all in the choir!!!
Peter james Docherty
New Member
Hi Pam I have just joined this site my father was in one of the Davos Hospital's about 1954 I don't know which one is there any way of finding out His name was Thomas Docherty I would love to know thank you x
Peter james Docherty
New Member
Hi everyone I'm a new member I'm looking for away to find out what Hospital in Davos that my father was a patient back in I think 1954 he had TB he did recover but passed away in 1980 I cannot remember the name of the Hospital he told me and nothing is coming to mind I know he made freinds over there his name Thomas Docherty he lived in Newport s Wales x
MaureenAndrews
New Member
Hi I was so glad to find this. I was in Davos in 1967 at Santitorium Sanitas. I had TB so was not allowed to go to the school in Pro juventute, I was 16 at the time and I have so many happy memories of being there. The first time I was able to go out and walk into Davos was around Christmas time it was magical and deep with snow, there was a sled going around with St.Nicholas throwing sweets to the children. Someone earlier mentioned being with Mrs Reddish a Red Cross worker, she was my chaperone to Davos from Heathrow to Zurich and on to Davos. My stay was funded by the Red Cross as my chest specialist at the time was Dr.Bech who was on the board at the Red Cross and I was a junior member. I have been back to visit Davos since and it is as beautiful as I remembered. My maiden name was Cassidy, I wish I could find someone who was there with me.
MaureenAndrews
New Member
Hi Peter it was possibly Sanitorium Sanitas. I was there in 1967. The building is still there in Davos.
Hi Maureen,
I was in Davos between 1972 and 1973 but I'm 99% sure you'll find old friends who were their in 1967 if you join the group on Facebook of "People who went to Davos Switzerland for Asthma Haus Caselva ProJuventute". Great, friendly group with tons of memories and photos. I hope to speak with you again on that site; it's run by Bryan Johnston.
Steve
I was in Davos between 1972 and 1973 but I'm 99% sure you'll find old friends who were their in 1967 if you join the group on Facebook of "People who went to Davos Switzerland for Asthma Haus Caselva ProJuventute". Great, friendly group with tons of memories and photos. I hope to speak with you again on that site; it's run by Bryan Johnston.
Steve
MaureenAndrews
New Member
Hi Steve thanks for the information I will try that. Whenever we all went I am sure we all had the best care and lucky to have been given the chance. Great memories
Davos Diaries
New Member
Hi, my name is Rosemary Penn and I was in Pro Juventute from 1967 - 1969. I moved up to Caselva sometime in 1969, maybe because I had turned 13. I had some truly wonderful times but they are unfortunately overshadowed by some really awful times when I was really badly treated by fellow English patients. I was from Surrey and some thought I was "posh" so I suffered for it. Names I remember are Carol, Wendy, Judy (who was to become my best friend) and girl from Israel (Leoni?), another from Belgium. I used to sneak up to the TB sanitorium because I wanted to flirt with some handsome boy from somewhere in Eastern Europe. Maybe someone remembers me. I remember Herr Engelhaupt who taught us songs and the shows we used to do up on the promenade. There was also a lovely lady Dr who was Dutch and also, of course, Dr Meyer
welcome rosemary and thanks for your post....sorry to hear that you had some sad times but glad it was not all bad...i am still searching for a friend of mine colleen steadman who lived opposite me in villa st who from memory would have been there round about the same time as you..so if anyone remembers or knows colleen please contact me via our private message system inbox top right of the main page...
lyn
lyn
Hello Davos Forum,
My parents or myself have no link to the Birmingham area, but I came across this site today as I have wanted to know more about my Father - who stayed in Davos in the early 1950's. Sadly he past on 30 years ago and we never spoke about his time there as a TB patient, before returning healthy and getting married to my mother in 1957 (2 years befor yours truelly arrived).
From the few conversations with my Mother (who passed on a few months ago) we also never spoke about his time there, until I told my mother one day I had been invited on a skiing holiday to Davos (ten years ago), which she then pointed to an oil painting on the wall and said ... that was where your Father stayed during his illness. Other than that (and hardly ever noticing the picture in our house), all I know is that the place of treatment was a Sanatorium (name ?) and they used to get wheeled out in their beds for a few hours each day to take in the healthy surroundings - through large glass doors over looking the valley and town (as mentioned in an earlier thread). It was at this time that he became friends with the chap in the bed next to him, who happened to be an artist and painted Davos and the mountains from their balcony. The name of the artist was a man by the name of R.A.White, who gave the picture to my father for his friendship and I am now very curious to learn more. I recall my Father used to correspond with him upon returning, but sadly these letters can no longer be found.
My Father's name was Daniel Augustine Arthur (Danny) and he was from Limerick, Ireland and had been working as a chef before his illness (either in Ireland, but may of just arrived in London). I have no idea of his early diagosis or which hosital sent him. All I do know is that he spent a year and a half in Davos.
FYI, when I went to Davos my friend from Zurich took me to the local post office and we showed them a copy of the picture. From what they could recall they thought that the sanatorium stood on the grounds of where the G8 summit is held each year ???
I did learn that my Father (and others) were very lucky at that time to go to Davos, as TB was a very serious illness and my mother must of been a saint to wait for his return (quite grateful I am myself
). Today Davos is a very different place what with so mush wealth compared to the people after the war, who worked so very had farming and preparing for long winters - shut off from the neighbouring valley's such a Cloisters (where our Royals holiday). Hopefully my storey jog's someones memory or some they know someone who might know - or maybe someone knows how I can research deeper, through the hospital register etc.
Many thanks
Arf
Peter james Docherty
New Member
Hi Tony my father was in davos 53/54 i dont know where his name Tom Docherty i was a baby
Robin Bates
New Member
My mother, Nanette Scriven, was sent from the Birmingham Children's Hospital to The British Children's Home in Davos in June 1939 with a group of five other children. She was 11 years old. War broke out and they couldn't get home - so an initial stay of three months turned into three years. Their 'Swiss mother' at the British Children's Home was a Mrs Stockmeyer. My Mum was finally sent home with four Birmingham boys (Ken Fear, Victor Fletcher, Eddie Stretch - and another) in July 1942. Their journey home, avoiding the battlefields, was an adventure involving trains through France and Spain to Gibraltar and from thence on a troopship the SS Narkunda. This ship joined a convoy which took them past Spain's Atlantic coast, round the West coast of Ireland to the Scottish port of Greenock where they caught trains back to New Street. The B.B.C. contacted them and they were interviewed by Uncle Mac (Derek McCullough) for a Children's Hour programme broadcast at 5.30pm on 27 October 1942.
I wonder if anyone has any more details of the startling adventure which these children had. Particularly I'm interested in WHY the children were sent home in 1942 in the full rage of the war - and put on a ship when German U-boats were prowling the waters.
I wonder if anyone has any more details of the startling adventure which these children had. Particularly I'm interested in WHY the children were sent home in 1942 in the full rage of the war - and put on a ship when German U-boats were prowling the waters.
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Steve Blocky
New Member
Greetings to all who were at Projuventute in Davos.
I was there from April 1964 to October 1964.
Names I remember off the top of my head:
Kim Booth, John Woolley, Christian(Polish origin) Zeph Miller(Israel origin),Stephen Samson,Melvin Rollnik,Sister Yolanda,Sister Hildegard, Dr Meyer, Miss Maggs (Teacher),
Have fond memories of my stay in 1964.
Did wonders for my Asthma while I was there.
Have been back twice over the years to visit the places that were out of bounds to me as an 11 year old. Still a beautiful place.
Best regards from Steve B
I was there from April 1964 to October 1964.
Names I remember off the top of my head:
Kim Booth, John Woolley, Christian(Polish origin) Zeph Miller(Israel origin),Stephen Samson,Melvin Rollnik,Sister Yolanda,Sister Hildegard, Dr Meyer, Miss Maggs (Teacher),
Have fond memories of my stay in 1964.
Did wonders for my Asthma while I was there.
Have been back twice over the years to visit the places that were out of bounds to me as an 11 year old. Still a beautiful place.
Best regards from Steve B
Hi Charles,
I was at Caselva 1966/67. I remember Susan Wilson who was a very small girl who also suffered from dreadful eczema and she shared a room with Rosalyn (can't remember her surname). I knew Susan had died but I didn't know when or where she was buried? I had looked through the archive records held in a locked room in St Luke's Church. The Pastor let me in to try to find the record but in vain. My husband & I spent a few hours looking in the cemetery but this was also in vain. I was then wondering if her body had been flown home?
I am a member on facebook for those who went to Davos and I cannot find anyone on this site who was there in 66/67.
I was contacted this week by a lady who was at Caselva after me and we intend to meet for a chat when we are out of Lockdown.
It would be helpful to have any information regarding Susan please.
I don't know when you were in Davos or where you come from?
My husband & I have been to Davos most years for holidays but I truly think in the present circumstances it will be sometime before we may return.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Anne
PeckhamRose
proper brummie kid
Hello everyone. It has been several years since I visited this group but only for this thread as I am not from Birmingham. And I suppose that's my point. People went to the Sanitorium Pro Juventute in Davos from all over the UK to our little Caselva unit, not just Birmingham, and I have no wish to upset anyone but I would suggest - especially if you are trying to find friends you may have known from Davos - that you have a look at the specific Facebook group. All my photos black and white and colour, as previously posted in about page 6 of this thread, are on there, plus dozens more from others who were at Caselva. I hope you are all well. For anyone who wants to join that group as well as stay in this one, here is the link, with respect and again with NO intention of stepping on anyone's toes (trying to be ingratiating as people can be so sensitive these days!) Attached is a group photo from my time there in 1971.
Attachments
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PeckhamRose
proper brummie kid
Hi - what an incredible story. You MAY be lucky with a result on this if you look up the Facebook page for the kids who went to Davos. Start typing "People who went to Davos Switzerland for Asthma....." and the group will come up. I look forward to reading any follow up to this. If they could all be found it would be worthy of a documentary, or even an episode of The Reunion on BBC Radio 4 produced by David Prest's Whistledown production company.