Hospitals in the United Kingdom

[Terry_Reeves]

This is a list of VAD hospitals in Warwickshire in 1916 including the number of the Warwickshire VAD unit manning them. An "S" followed by a number means a section from another Warwickshire unit attached to that particular hospital. The VADwas organised on a county basis and the county name preceded the number.

All VAD units were attached to a military hospital. Those below, unless otherwise stated, were attached to 1st Southern General Hospital, Birmingham University.

Brailes - "The Institute" VAD 48 and S15. Opened 28.10.14 initially for convalescent Belgian soldiers.

Kineton - Clarendon House VAD's 8,28 and 3. opened 18.11.14

Hampton-in-Arden. The Feltham Institute. VAD's 52,56 and S1

Solihull - "The Hermitage" VAD 50 and S1. Opened 18.11.14

Henley-in- Arden. The Public Hall. VAD's 32 and 11. Opened 28.11.14.

Shipston on Stour - "Park House". VAD 34. Opened 11.12.14.

Longbridge Manor - VAD's 14 and 9. Opened 1.12.14 and transferred to Barford Hall 31.3.15

Coventry - Hill Crest, Radford Rd. VAD's 25 and 26. Opened January 1915. First used for the sick of 1st Munsters and 2nd South Wales Borderers of 29th Div billeted in the area

Leamington- "Holmdene". VAD 24. Opened 24.1.15. First used by sick of 29th Div.

Leamington - "The Warren" VAD 44. Opened 29.1.15. First used by sick of 29th Div.

Olton - Congregational Church Rooms. VAD 52 ans S1. Opened 9.2 15 Attached to 1st Birmingham War Hospital

Kenilworth - The Parochial Hall. VAD 6 and S13. Opened 20.2.15. Attached to 2nd Birmingham War Hospital

Warwick - Guy's Cliffe. VAD 36. Opened 21.5.15

Coleshill - St Gerards. VAD 17. Opened 21.5.15. Originally a childrens hospital built in 1913.

Coleshill- Halloughton Hall. VAD 18. Opened 21.5.15

Berkswell - The Rectory. VAD 38 and S 13. Opened 26.5.15

Coleshill - The Vicarage. VAD's 7 and 15. Opened 4.6.15

Warwick- "Hill House". VAD's 22 and 19. Opened 3.8.15. Attached to Clopton War Hospital.

Marston Green - "Ivy Cottage". VAD 54. Opened 6.9.15. Attached to 2nd Birmingham War Hospital.

Pailton - Pailton House. VAD 74. Opened 6.9.15. Attached to 1st Northern General Hospital, Leicester.

Rugby - "Te Hira". VAD's 40 and 66. Opened 8.12.15

Newnham Paddox - Opened 8.2.16.

Hospitals that were only operating for a short period:

Rugby School Sanitorium- VAD 40 29.10.14 - 29.12.14

Stratford Town Hall - VAD 2,4 and S 13. 29.10.14-19.3.15

Rugby - "Ashlawn". VAD's 62 and 64. 21.1.15 - 20.2.16. Originally used by 87th Field Ambulance.

Warwick Infirmary - VAD 22 9.3.15 - 15.4.15

If anybody thinks they had a relative serving as a VAD at any of these hospitals, 1914-16, I will be happy to check their names against the staff lists although they may not be complete.

Terry Reeves

[Marc Thompson]

Further to Ian's post on the Netley Military Hospital cemetery at Hamble, nr Southampton part of this site is now the Southern Support & Training Headquarters for Hampshire Constabulary.

A history of the site including the hospital has recently been published by the Constabulary Historical Society. I am currently awaiting delivery of my copy and can thus provide some further information if anyone is interested.

Well worth a visit if you are down that way.

Marc

[Terry_Reeves]

Further to my last posting this is a list of some hospitals in Birmingham.

1st Southern General Hospital - Birmingham University

Sections were later opened at:

Dudley Rd Infirmary which became 2/1st Southern General Hospital on

1.6.1916.

Wordsley Infirmary, Stourbridge.

Selly Park and Selly Oak Elementary Schools. Selly Park later became known as Stirchley section to avoid a clash of postal adresses with Selly Oak.

Childrens Hospital, Steelhouse Lane. Became an outpatients dept for wounded servicemen.

The Moneyhull Colony, Kings Norton. A mental hospital which was converted for military casualties and opened 22.11.16.

1st and 2nd Birmingham War Hospitals. These, along with other, "war hospitals" came into being after the Army Council in January 1915, realised that an additional 56,000 beds would be required.This was known as the Asylum War Hospitals Scheme. Patients were moved to other asylums to provide accommodation for military casualties.

In Birmingham, the Rubery Asylum became the the 1st Birmingham War Hospital and received its first patient on 30.7.15 and closed on 31.3.19.

The Hollymoor Annexe became the 2nd Birmingham War Hospital, opening on 5.7.15 . From 1.1 18 it became on orthopeadic hospital and closed on 1.3.20 and then became the Birmingham Special Military Surgical Hospital.

VAD's in Birmingham

"Highbury" - formerly the home of Joseph Chamberlain, Worcester VAD 30. Opened 28.5.15. and later became a neurosurgical unit.

Moor Green House - an extension of Highbury. Closed as a hospital for non-commissioned ranks 11.5.17 and re-opened for officers 6.6.17.

Harbourne Hall Auxillery Hospital. Worc VAD/30. Opened November 1914.

Harbourne - "Lordswood". Worc VAD 62. Opened 15.5.15

Erdington -"The Norlands". Worc VAD 68. Opened 7.5.15.

Sutton Coldfield - "Allerton", Lichfield Rd. Worc VAD 70. Opened 19.1 16.

"The Hollies", Four Oaks Rd, opened 6.10.17.

"Ufculme" - Friends Ambulance Unit. opened 7.12.16. Given by Richard Cadbury. later became a limb fitting centre.

Halesowen _ "The Grange Hospital". Closed 30.6.18

Bournville - "The Beeches". Worc VAD 22. Opened 1.12.15. Treated facial injuries 1918-1919. Donated by George Cadbury.

Handsworth - "Farcroft" VAD. Opened early 1917.

Stechford and Yardley - "Stonleigh", Victoria Rd. Worc VAD 78. Opened July 1916.

Terry Reeves

[Alan Seymour]

For anybody interested in learning more on the Royal Victoria Hospital, at Netley there's a book on its history called:

"Spike Island - The Memory of a Military Hospital" by Philip Hoare, pub. by Fourth Estate 2001, ISBN 1-84115-293-5

[charlesmessenger]

Some more hospitals as a result of perusing the ACIs of 1916:

Hampstead Military Hospital, London – specialised in heart problems

Dykebar War Hospital – insanity cases

Pavilion Military Hospital, Brighton – limbless cases

Queen Mary’s Convalescent Auxiliary Hospital – fitting of artificial limbs

Devonshire Hospital, Buxton – rheumatic cases

Royal Bath Hospital, Harrogate – rheumatic cases

New Zealand Military Hospital, Walton-on-Thames

Military Convalescent Hospital, Alnwick became a Command Depot in September 1916

Military Convalescent Hospital, Holywood, N Ireland established January 1916

Lancashire Military Convalescent Hospital, Clifton Park, Blackpool retitled The King’s Lancashire Military Convalescent Hospital April 1916

County of London War Hospital, Epsom

Royal Herbert Hospital, Woolwich

Brook War Hospital, Woolwich

Dartford War Hospital, Dartford, Kent

Croydon War Hospital

Duchess of Connaught’s Canadian Red Cross Hospital, Taplow, Berks - this may well have been retitled No 15 Canadian Hospital (see my earlier posting)

Canadian Typhoid Convalescent Hospital, Folkestone

Canadian Convalescent Hospital, Bromley, Kent

The King’s Canadian Red Cross Hospital, Bushey Park, Hampton Hill, Middlesex

Convalescent Hospital (Canadian), Woodcote Park, Epsom, Surrey

Canadian Convalescent Hospital, Hillingdon House, Uxbridge, Middlesex

Canadian Convalescent Hospital, Monk’s Horton, Westenhanger, Kent

Charles M

[Greenwoodman]

My twin sons were born in the Canadian Red Cross Memorial Hospital in Taplow in 1977. Its been pulled down since then. Counting your fingers will tell you that they're old enough to be off my hands!!!

[HERITAGE PLUS]

My youngest daughter was born at the Canadian RX Hosp in March 1977. Every time I think she has gone she comes back again!

Seriously - If anyone is interested in the Royal Netley Hospital you may wish to note that the Hampshire Genealogical Society have published details of burials in the hospital cemetery on fiche.

See www.hgs-online.org

Fiche N1 under 'Monumental Inscriptions' refers. Cost £1.50

[Jolly jack]

Having joned the National trust recently, I visited Polesdon Lacey and Clandon Park, both in Surrey. These were both used as hospitals during the War albeit for Officers only. The operating table is still at Clandon!!

[Chris_Baker]

Just saw the service papers of a chap who was wounded in the knee at Festubert in May 1915, who was treated at Horton (County of London) Hospital, Epsom.

[HERITAGE PLUS]

Another Wiltshire Hospital

Eastwell House, Potterne, Nr. Devizes

Officer Convalescence only

[Guest Hill 60]

I have the medal group to a Private of the CEF (1st CMR) who was severely wounded and sent to 'City of London War Hospital' in Epsom. I don't know if this is the same hospital that Chris just mentioned.

Lee

[Chris_Baker]

Can anyone please identify the precise location of the 2nd Western General Hospital, Manchester?

[Guest Hill 60]

Whilst we are talking about Hospitals etc can anyone tell me if the Queen Mary's Royal Navy Hospital at Southend-on-Sea is still there please?

I'm looking for a photo of it, either WWI period or modern, and would be grateful for any info.

Cheers, Lee

[Stuart Brown]

Blackwell Red Cross Hospital, Derbyshire.

In September 1914, the Blackwell Boys' Brigade Hall was offered to the Military Authorities as a free Convalescent Hospital and in April 1915 was accepted. It was equipped for ten beds. 133 patients were treated until the close of the hospital in 1917.

Stuart Brown

[Alan Seymour]

The following is taken from "The Southend & District Roll of Honour 1914-1921" by Jeffery Jarvis, 1998

"The Southend area has a large number of graves dating from the Great War, mainly due to the three military hospitals within Southend itself which largely used Sutton Road Cemetery for thier burials. The chief hospital was the H.M. Queen Mary's Royal Naval Hospital, occupying 'The Palace Hotel' (formerly 'The Metropole'), which received it's first casualties on 6th Oct 1914. These were all Belgium troops wounded in the fighting around Liege, Namur and Antwerp............

Towards the end of Sept 1915, men of the Royal Navy Division from Gallipoli began to reach the hospital, and by 1916 the hospital housed 300 wounded, swelling to 350 following the battle of Jutland. The beds were divided equally between the Army and the Navy until early 1917 when the Army patients were moved out, and it remained purely a Naval Hospital until it closed in 1919. The Palace Hotel survives (1998)"

The other two military hospitals were 'The Overcliff Hotel' at Westcliff and 'The Glen' at Southchurch these last two buildings were demolished after the Second World War.

There are postcards views c.1900's of 'The Palace Hotel'. The hotel was situated overlooking the sea by the esplanade, these should be easy to trace at a postcard fair.

[Guest Hill 60]

Alan,

Many thanks for the information. My great grandfather was in the 21st Bn CEF and at St. Eloi was buried 4 times in one day by shell-fire. He woke up 4 days later in the Queen Mary!

Cheers,

Lee

[Simon Furnell]

Evening all.

Although i am not sure what VAD stands for,i can tell you that there was one of those run by the Red Cross in Newbury Berks.

There is a placque on the side of a Vodaphone office,that states it was home of 44th and 45th detachment,VAD from1915 until 1918.

I know from local research that i have done that this same place was also used as a hospital during the civil war at the time of the 1st and 2nd Battles of Newbury.

I will get the whole details when i next go down town.

Regards.

Simon Furnell.

Voluntary Aid Detachment

[andrew_jackson]

Chris,

2nd Western General Hospital was in Whitworth Street, Manchester. I don't have a more specific address.

Here are a few more (with apologies if they've been mentioned before):

East Suffolk Hospital, Ipswich

Falmouth Military Hospital

King's Lancashire Military Convalescent Hospital, Squire's Gate, Blackpool

3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth

Loohiel Auxiliary Hospital for Officers, Banavie

1st Northern General Hospital, Newcastle

Preston Military Hospital

Prince of Wales' Hospital for Officers, Marylebone

Queen Mary's Military Hospital, Whalley

2nd Southern General Hospital, Bristol

3rd Southern General Hospital, Somerville College, Oxford

1st Western General Hospital, Fazakerley

YMCA Red Hospital, Swansea

Regards,

Andrew

[Guest stephenf]

My Great Grandfather 2Lt D F Wheatley RE spent a number of months recovering from shell shock and a wound to his knee in a Military hospital in Thetford Norfolk. He was wounded on 6th October 1916 at Le Sars and was evacuated on the 11th Oct 1916 on the SS Antwerpen from Calais to Dover. The documentation i have states that he was granted Sick leave for 2 months and returned to Thetford in Feb 1917 this was also the Command Depot for the Royal Engineers here he stayed for several months where he attened 2 medical boards ( known on the documentation as the Fazackerly medical board). I have been told by a relative that Thetford was a MilitaryHospital. I am not 100% sure that Thetford was a military hospital or a depot where the wounded were sent to recover, his documents clearly state that he was not fit for general service and he subsequently spent the remainder of the war working in a munnitions factory in Newcastle.

[HERITAGE PLUS]

Another Wiltshire VAD Hospital

Heywood House, Heywood Nr.Westbury

Home of Mr & Mrs Malcolm Lyon

MO was local GP Dr.E.T.Shorland

Hospital had 42 beds and 24 VAD Staff

It had its own monthly magazine 'Ye Heywood Lyon' edited by the Senior Nurse. The House is now used as offices by The National Trust.

[Kate Wills]

My grandfather-in-law was badly wounded as a signaller with the 20th Londons on the first day of Loos. He recuperated at Lady Dashwood's Hospital, Ipswich.

[Guest JoeG]

I'll add:

Albany Road Hospital, Cardiff

Cheers, Joe

[Michelle Young]

I will add the Beaufort war hospital, Bristol now Blackberry hill hospital, and the second Southern General, which is now the King Edward Building, Bristol Royal Infirmary

Michelle Young

[HERITAGE PLUS]

Add to the list:

The Examination School, Oxford 1916-18

Racecourse Hospital, Cheltenham

Church Hall, Christ Church, Bromley

Avoncliff House, Bradford-on-Avon, Wilts

[Alan Seymour]

I have a 'Army Book 27a - Admission and Discharge Book - For Field Service' for the 'Granville Canadian Special' Hospital at Ramsgate Road, England - (At a guess, Kent?)

The book was used from 31st Jan to 12th Aug 1916 for listing the return of operations performed on service personnel – name rank no. etc., and covers about fifteen pages.

At some later stage what looks like to be 1926 & 1933 the front of the book was used for another purpose, it became the 'Charge Book' for recording the charging of batteries (at the hospital?), when, by whom, etc. After only two pages of tatty records in pen & pencil it wasn't used again for this purpose, and the rest of the pages remain blank, perhaps someone had then realised the security or historical aspect of the book?