THIS WEEK IN 1970: Why hospital is like home to Bill...

The happiest man in Queen Alexandra Hospital was Bill King, of Cowplain.
Bill King, 79, in Queen Alexandras Hospital, Cosham.Bill King, 79, in Queen Alexandras Hospital, Cosham.
Bill King, 79, in Queen Alexandras Hospital, Cosham.

Bill, first in hospital as a patient when he was wounded during the First World War, had received a special honour from the hospital. He has been admitted to the War Pensioners Ward, the only remaining part of the hospital reserved for disabled ex-servicemen. 

The decision to admit him to the ward was taken to honour the fact that he was a Royal Hampshire Tiger, who served in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 14th Battalions of the regiment. And for 43 years, he had regularly visited the hospital and its disabled soldiers. 

'˜It's been my life really,' said Bill, '˜I have visited the other wards but being admitted to the War Pensioners Ward was like coming home in a way.'Â