These are truly unprecedented times, and Covid-19 will be remembered as one of the most significant events of our history. It has changed the way we live and work forever.
There are thousands of frontline staff, particularly key workers, who have put the lives of others above their own. Medical professionals are working selflessly across the UK to ensure we’re safe, treating patients until a vaccine is developed.
These unsung heroes are nothing new, and if we look through history we’ll see countless examples of selfless sacrifices. In fact, it’s during these times of uncertainly that we reflect on the past as a source of inspiration and encouragement.
Between 1900 and 2000, Chelsea’s Millbank Buildings housed the Royal Army Medical College. The Friends of Millbank, an organisation who work with Chelsea College of Arts to keep this history of the College's Millbank site alive, recently published a story about Major Howard Graeme Gibson who is a shining example of such selfless efforts from the past.
Born in 1883 Major Gibson studied medicine at Guy’s Hospital and appointed Lieutenant in the Royal Army Medical Corps. He also studied here at the Chelsea building when it was the Royal Army Medical College.
During the outbreak of the influenza epidemic in 1918 Major Gibson was appointed head of a research team in the epidemic. Together with his colleagues he succeeded in proving that influenza was due to a filterable virus.
Major Gibson paid the ultimate price for his dedication and died in 1919 after contracting influenza himself. However, if it wasn’t for this selfless and dedicated work a vaccine was develop and countless lives saved.
It’s stories like these that offer us hope and inspiration during these unprecedented times.
And as the coronavirus pandemic impacted the UK this year, several serving members of Friends of Millbank (both regulars and reservists) have been heavily involved in setting up the NHS Nightingale Hospital London to combat COVID-19.
Visit the Friends of Millbank site for to read more about Major Howard Graeme Gibson.