LOST HOSPITALS OF LONDON

Ingress Abbey V.A.D. Hospital
Ingress Park, Greenhithe, Kent DA9 9GQ
Medical dates:

Medical character:
1917 - 1918

Convalescent (military)
In July 1917 Ingress Abbey in Greenhithe was lent by the firm Associated Portland Cement Manufacturers Ltd for use as an annexe to the Rosherville Hospital.  It was equipped and financially aided by Mr H. Osborne O'Hagan, one of the Directors of the company, and provided a further 75 beds.  

Ingress Abbey V.A.D. Hospital was later affiliated with Chatham Military Hospital, Fort Pitt.  The medical and nursing staff consisted of a Medical Officer, a Matron, 6 trained nurses and members of the Kent/17 and /118 Voluntary Aid Detachments (V.A.D.s), who also undertook general and domestic duties.

The Hospital closed on 31st December 1918.

Present status (October 2011)

In 1920 the Associated Portland Cement Manufacturers sold the house and its grounds to the Incorporated Thames Nautical Training College, H.M.S. Worcester, for £30,000.

The College closed in 1968 and became the Merchant Navy College.  This, too, closed after twenty years.  In 1995 most of the land was sold to Crest Nicholson for a new housing development of 950 dwellings - Ingress Park.

In 1001 Pandora International Ltd purchased Ingress Abbey for use as their Headquarters.

The Grade II listed Ingress Abbey and its Lodge are currently offered for sale.

Ingress Abbey
The northern elevation of Ingress Abbey faces the River Thames.  Built in 1833 in the Elizabethan Gothic style, the house has been restored by Crest Nicholson.

Ingress Abbey
The house, as seen from the northwest, with terraced steps in the lawn forming an amphitheatre.

Ingress Abbey  
The western elevation, as seen from Ingress Park Avenue, the current main drive off the London Road.

Ingress Abbey
The original drive and the Lodge, now under reconstruction.

Ingress Abbey
New housing at the junction of Ingress Park Avenue and London Road.

Ingress Abbey

A memorial to the Incorporated Thames Nautical Training College, H.M.S. Worcester, has been erected on the river bank to the north of the house (above and below).

Ingress Abbey


Ingress Abbey
The house, as seen from the Memorial at the riverside.

Ingress Abbey
The Ingress Abbey Heritage Trail explainer.
References
(Author unstated) 1917 List of the various hospitals treating military cases in the United Kingdom.  London, H.M.S.O.

http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com

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http://picasaweb.google.com
www.ashfordsfallen.com
www.harmer.org
www.docstoc.com
www.kentvad.org

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