Book on Orthopaedic Hospital founder re-launched for year of celebration.

Dame Agnes Hunt told her story in her book, This is My Life, first published back in 1938.

It charted a life that took her from Shropshire to Australia and back again, and saw her set up the Orthopaedic Hospital in Oswestry with co-founder Sir Robert Jones.

Almost 80 years later the book has been re-printed, including an insert of fascinating photos and a new introduction.

The book is part of a year of celebration for the hospital to mark 150 years since her birth and 160 years since the birth of Robert Jones.

Mark Brandreth, Chief Executive of RJAH, said: “I have become familiar with Dame Agnes’s story since taking up my post here, and it really is the most remarkable legacy that she has left behind.

“Her book is enlightening and entertaining, and I am delighted that we have been able to arrange for a special edition to be printed in our Year of Celebration.”

Proceeds of the sale will go the hospital’s League of Friends, who have paid for the latest reprint. It is priced at £9.99 and is available from the League of Friends Shop in the main entrance.

Charity director of the League of Friends Victoria Sugden added: "We were only too happy to provide support to reprint Dame Agnes’s autobiography when we were first approached.

“So much of what we do is about supporting the hospital in making improvements with the future in mind.

“This is about celebrating our illustrious history, and in our Year of Celebration that is so appropriate. It is a great read and I would urge patients, visitors and staff alike to get hold of a copy.”

Born in London, Dame Hunt went on to live a fascinating life. She was disabled from osteomyelitis of the hip and went into nursing, opening Baschurch Children's Hospital for crippled children.

In 1901 she sought treatment for her own condition from surgeon Robert Jones, who was invited to Baschurch and travelled there to provide treatment to children.

The pair built up the hospital, before moving to a new facility in Gobowen in 1914, where the Orthopaedic Hospital now sits.

Later a school for the children developed into a training college for disabled adults, now the Derwen College, which holds the copyright for the book.

After a fire in 1948, the hospital underwent reconstruction and was then named after the pair.

Dame Hunt was also awarded the Royal Red Cross for her contribution during the war.

The new pictures which appear within this reprint have been sourced by the hospital’s Archives Officer Marie Carter, and help illustrate the story.

She said: “Over the years I have been able to build up an extensive library of photos chronicling the lives of both Dame Agnes Hunt and Sir Robert Jones.

“There are 12 pages of pictures inserted into the middle of the book and these evocative images really help bring her words to life.”