Medical dates:

Medical character:

The Burntwood Auxiliary Red Cross Hospital was officially opened on 22nd January 1916 by General Sir Edmond Elles.  The first patients were received on 27th January.

The building was a fine country residence in 4 acres of grounds lent by Mr and Mrs E.H. Coles, of Arnolds, Dorking.  

The Hospital had 30 beds and was affiliated to the Royal Herbert Hospital and also received patients from Horton (County of London) War Hospital (Eastern Command).  It was a B class hospital, providing general treatment and massage.  Treatments were also arranged at the Caterham Sanitarium and Surrey Hills Hydropathic.

The nursing staff consisted of a Matron, a Sister and one resident member of the Surrey/88 Voluntary Aid Detachment (V.A.D.)  Other members of the V.A.D. acted as nurses, cooks, house and pantry maids, being on duty for one or two weeks and then having one week off.  A voluntary helper attended for two half-days to do general cleaning, while a local laundry washed 12 sheets and pillowcases weekly without charge.

In 1914 the number of beds was increased to 42.  A large wooden hut, measuring 50' by 18' (15.5 x 5.5 metres) was built near the main building and was connected to it by a covered passageway.  The hut opened as the Dining and Recreation Room on 17th April 1917.

In April 1918 the out-buildings being used as offices were altered to form an annexe to the Hospital, providing an extra 16 beds.  The Hospital then had a bed complement of 58.

The Hospital closed on 27th February 1919.  Sundry goods and equipment were sent to the Military Hospital in Guildford, the Seamen's Hospital in Greenwich, the Evalina Hospital in Southwark and to the Caterham Branch of the Comrades of the Great War.


Present status (October 2010)

Burntwood House is once again a private residence.