Military Hospital?

[Jacob]

Was there a Military Hospital in Steyning, Sussex? I am looking for a death of William HALE #159368 who died in Steyning Nov 4, 1918. He served with the Royal Garrison Artillery. How could I find out when he was wounded? Thanks.

Bill White

[Sue Light]

Bill

Difficult to give a full answer not knowing where you found the reference to Steyning. There was no military medical facility in the town of Steyning, and if William Hale died there, it would probably have been in a private house.

However, if the information came from a GRO index of deaths, and showed the registration district as Steyning, then that's a different thing entirely. Prior to 1930, the Steyning R. D. was very large, including Hove, Shoreham, a big chunk of Brighton, and many outlying villages such as Fulking, Poynings, Sompting, Ashurst and Woodmancote [as well as Steyning town]. Anyone dying within this area would have had his/her death registered as 'Steyning.'

The largest hospital within the district was No. 2 Eastern General Hospital - loosely described as 'Brighton', but in fact in Hove. Of course there were many other Red Cross hospitals and private houses for soldiers as well.

And having said all that, 'Soldiers Died' CD shows that William Hale died of illness or disease, rather than wounds - given the time of his death, perhaps he was a victim of influenza. As he died in the UK, his death certificate will give an exact place and cause of death.

Sue

[Jacob]

Hi Sue. Thanks for the info. I should order his certificate of death.

Bill