When construction started Ravenscourt Park individuals and lodges signed up as patrons to help raise funds, after the new building was opened by King George V and Queen Mary in 1933, it became known as the Royal Masonic Hospital. It soon became a fully equipped modern hospital offering the latest treatments, the Hospital funded treatment for Freemasons that were unable to afford their own care this was achieved by continued donations from Brethren to help cover expenses.
The Nurses home was opened by the Princes Royal in 1938, accompanied by her husband the Earl of Harewood, who was also Grand Master. The Nurses home provided accommodation along with space for eating and socialising.
During the Second World War the Hospital treated over 8,600 servicemen, Nurses began training in the basement of the Hospital in 1948 until a purpose-built school opened later.
In 1956 a new appeal was launched to raise funds to increase the Hospitals capacity and a purpose-built Nurse Training School.in 1958 the Wakefield Wing opened named in memory of Charles Wakefield, Hospital Chairmen, and was opened by Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother in December 1958. The modern school became a national leader in training nurses.
Nurses wore different belts with blue uniforms depending on the stage of their training, when they qualified the nurses obtained the distinctive belt buckle incorporating the Square and Compasses and was engraved with the students name on the reverse. Along with a Brooch suspended from a blue and white enamelled bar, the jewel attached represents Humanity succouring the sick and is surmounted by the inscription “Aegros Sanat Humanitas” meaning Kindness heals the Sick.
