PLYMOUTH |
The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History |
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The Manadon Field Hospital was located down in Manadon Vale, on land now partly covered by the Parkway (A38). It was built by the United States Construction Battalion in 1943 when the American Army descended on the area in force to prepare for the D-Day landings. In just two months they constructed a 250-bed hospital on land that had previously been used by an archery club. It was opened on Saturday February 12th 1944. All the medical equipment was imported from the United States. Commanded by Commander K R Weston, it had facilities for dealing with X-rays, dental and general surgery, orthopaedic and traumatic injuries and had an ear, nose and throat department. Arrangements were made for it to double in size in the event of an influx of injured troops from France.
The United State's army field
hospital at Manadon Vale, However, casualties were not as high as had been expected and before long it became more of a general hospital. Manadon Hospital closed on Friday August 31st 1945. The Ministry of Labour took over the buildings in April 1946 with the intention of turning it into a training centre for people in the building industry. It re-opened in July 1947 as hostel for British and Polish workers. The buildings were demolished sometime during the early 1950s.
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