Binefield Auxiliary Hospital
Binefield, Woodhurst Lane, Hurst Green, Oxted,
Surrey RH8 9DN
Surrey RH8 9DN
Medical dates:
Medical character:
Convalescent (military)
At the outbreak of WW1 the local
population of Oxted raised subscriptions for funds for an auxiliary
hospital to be established in Binefield, a rented house.
A road had to be made to the house and, when the necessary internal alterations and redecoration had been carried out, the Binefield Auxiliary Hospital opened in October 1914. The Hospital had 20 beds and was under the care of the Surrey/46 Voluntary Aid Detachment (V.A.D.). In June 1915 it became an annexe to Charing Cross Hospital. The Commandant of the V.A.D. paid the rent and other expenses not met by Charing Cross Hospital.
During 1917 some 158 patients were treated at the Hospital. The small number was due to the fact that many were cot cases (i.e. bedridden) and other long cases.
In October 1917 the Governors of Charing Cross Hospital decided to give up the auxiliary hospitals at Binefield and Furzedown.
The Hospital closed on 29th November and was thoroughly cleaned. It reopened on 21st December 1917, affiliated to Queen Alexandra's Military Hospital in Millbank.
On 30th June 1918 it was decided to close the Hospital as there were insufficient patients. The Hospital was demobilised and the property returned to its owner on 22nd February 1919.
During its operational lifetime, some 550 patients had been treated at the Hospital, most of them long cases.
Present status (October 2011)
The original Binefield has been renamed Chartlands, but a new 5-bedroomed house called Binefield had been built in the grounds of the original Binefield.
A road had to be made to the house and, when the necessary internal alterations and redecoration had been carried out, the Binefield Auxiliary Hospital opened in October 1914. The Hospital had 20 beds and was under the care of the Surrey/46 Voluntary Aid Detachment (V.A.D.). In June 1915 it became an annexe to Charing Cross Hospital. The Commandant of the V.A.D. paid the rent and other expenses not met by Charing Cross Hospital.
During 1917 some 158 patients were treated at the Hospital. The small number was due to the fact that many were cot cases (i.e. bedridden) and other long cases.
In October 1917 the Governors of Charing Cross Hospital decided to give up the auxiliary hospitals at Binefield and Furzedown.
The Hospital closed on 29th November and was thoroughly cleaned. It reopened on 21st December 1917, affiliated to Queen Alexandra's Military Hospital in Millbank.
On 30th June 1918 it was decided to close the Hospital as there were insufficient patients. The Hospital was demobilised and the property returned to its owner on 22nd February 1919.
During its operational lifetime, some 550 patients had been treated at the Hospital, most of them long cases.
Present status (October 2011)
The original Binefield has been renamed Chartlands, but a new 5-bedroomed house called Binefield had been built in the grounds of the original Binefield.
Signage (left) at the mouth of the north arm of Icehouse Wood (right).
The current entrance to the former Binefield, now known as Chartlands.
The house is now known as Chartlands.
The new Binefield, as seen over the garden from Woodhurst Lane.
(Author unstated) 1917 Red Cross work in Surrey during 1917. 5th Annual Report. British Red Cross Society Surrey Branch.
(Author unstated) 1917 List of the various hospitals treating military cases in the United Kingdom. London, H.M.S.O.
(Author unstated) 1920 Red Cross work in Surrey 1918-1919. British Red Cross Society Surrey Branch.
http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com
www.exploringsurreyspast.org.uk
www.kentvad.org
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