We have already said we had a marvellous response to Gaynor Fisher’s plea in these columns for information regarding the old ‘Fever Hospital’ on Leeds Road in Bradford, and in particular a family member who died there named Margaret McChesney.

We’ve passed your letters and reminiscences on to Gaynor, who has asked us to thank you for your heartfelt responses.

Here are the first lot of your memories, with more to come in future weeks.

John Coates, of Ilkley: “As I remember it, in about October 1937, I was admitted to the hospital with diphtheria which was diagnosed by a sister at the old Green Lane Clinic up Lumb Lane.

“My memories of the hospital are only good ones.

“It was bonfire night when I was in. My bed was opposite a window from which, being high up on a hillside, I could see plenty of fireworks and bonfires.

“One of the nurses gave me a sparkler to wave about, and one of the sparks made a small hole in the bed clothes and caused a bit of confusion, but was taken in good part by the nurses as a whole.

“I don't remember any hugs or kisses.

“One day a nurse brought to my bed the biggest plate of banana sandwiches you could ever wish to see, so big she had to hold it with one hand on top, and one under the plate.”

Mrs Carole Lodge, of Bradford: “Nearly all Lidget Green Infants School families were affected by scarlet fever at the time.

“I was a patient there in 1947-1948 for six weeks and then moved to Calverley Hospital for two weeks.

“I can remember my mum coming daily from Lidget Green pushing my sister in her pram – no cars or money for buses in those days!

“She’d bring a comic or a small bag of sweets but could only see me through the window.

“We were well looked after, but some children didn’t settle when they returned home. To help us recover, we used to have goats milk.

One of the most pertinent memories came from a lady who did not want her name published, but who we have put in touch with Gaynor.

“I am an avid reader of the Telegraph & Argus, always something of interest but none more so in the Saturday edition, to read about Margaret McChesney, a name which when I die will be written in my heart, a beautiful little girl who was so excited at the prospect of going home.

“I happened to be the night nurse on duty on Ward 1 the night she died, it was such a shock to all the staff. Rest assured she would receive the best of care.

“Life was very hectic, so many ill children, whooping cough, measles, pneumonia, adults with TB (no time to stand and stare). Unfortunately I can’t remember the staff nurse on duty. I was a very junior probationary nurse.”

And Thomas P Hennessy, of Thornton says: “I was a patient there in September 1939 when war broke out. I remember some of the nurses, Collier, Hutton, Young and Sister Valentine.

“The main doctor was a man called Douglas, I was in the hospital for 14 weeks approximately.”

Finally from this batch, Mrs Irene Halliday, of Baildon: “I was six years old when I had diphtheria, about 1937. I was so ill the doctors at the hospital didn’t think I would recover.

“My mother and father were distraught with worry, so they both decided to go to the Catholic Church up Leeds Road, and sat in the church most of the night.

“In the morning they went back to the hospital and were told I was out of danger and would live.

“I don’t remember so much about the illness, but I do remember having to learn to walk again and my father pushing me in a wheelchair.”

More of your memories in future Remember When? columns.