Lost_Hospitals_of

In 1915 the buildings at Norbiton Common Farm, a branch institution of the Kingston Union workhouse, were requisitioned by the War Office for use as an auxiliary military hospital to King George Hospital in Stamford Street.

The Hospital opened in August 1915 with 198 beds for enlisted servicemen.

Some 1,234 patients were treated during 1916; during that year the number of beds was increased to 232.

The nursing staff consisted of a Matron, an Assistant Matron, 5 Sisters, 4 staff nurses and 50 members of the local Voluntary Aid Detachment (V.A.D.) (20 of whom were nurses and 30 who provided general service).

By 1917 the bed complement had increased to 270.

The Hospital closed in the first week of June 1919. During its operational lifetime, over 5,000 patients had been admitted.

Present status (July 2010)

In 1925 the land at Norbiton Common Farm was sold to the Malden and Coombe Urban District Council. The buildings were purchased by Middlesex County Council in 1926 and became an annexe for the Springfield Mental Hospital. In 1950 they were renamed the Morris Markowe Unit.

The buildings were demolished in 1991 and the site has been redeveloped. It is now Springfield Place.

LOST HOSPITALS OF LONDON
	Kingston, Surbiton and District Red Cross Hospital Kingston Road, New Malden, KT3 3RL

	Medical dates: Medical character:	1915 - 1919 Convalescent (military)
	In 1915 the buildings at Norbiton Common Farm, a branch institution of the Kingston Union workhouse, were requisitioned by the War Office for use as an auxiliary military hospital to King George Hospital in Stamford Street. The Hospital opened in August 1915 with 198 beds for enlisted servicemen. Some 1,234 patients were treated during 1916; during that year the number of beds was increased to 232. The nursing staff consisted of a Matron, an Assistant Matron, 5 Sisters, 4 staff nurses and 50 members of the local Voluntary Aid Detachment (V.A.D.) (20 of whom were nurses and 30 who provided general service). By 1917 the bed complement had increased to 270. The Hospital closed in the first week of June 1919. During its operational lifetime, over 5,000 patients had been admitted. Present status (July 2010) In 1925 the land at Norbiton Common Farm was sold to the Malden and Coombe Urban District Council. The buildings were purchased by Middlesex County Council in 1926 and became an annexe for the Springfield Mental Hospital. In 1950 they were renamed the Morris Markowe Unit. The buildings were demolished in 1991 and the site has been redeveloped. It is now Springfield Place.
	Springfield Place, a cul-de-sac, as seen from Kingston Road (left) The inner part of Springfield Place (right).
	"In March 1917 my grandfather, Ernest Rainsforth, was admitted to the King George Hospital in Stamford Street with shrapnel wounds to his left arm and knee. Once his wounds had healed, he was transferred to the Malden Hospital to continue his convalescence. It was there that he met Daisy Lavender, a local girl who had given up her job in service at 79 Eaton Place, Knightsbridge, to become a nurse for the duration of the war. They were married on 16th March, 1918, in Granddad's home town of Gainsborough, Lincolnshire. Despite his wounds, he lived until the age of 94 years." "My grandfather, photographed in 1917, is wearing the uniform of an injured soldier - a saxe blue suit with white lapels and a red tie" (left). "Daisy Lavender, who became my grandmother. This photo was taken about 1916, showing her in her V.A.D. nursing uniform." (right). "Patients and staff (including my grandmother) in May 1917." (Courtesy of Miriam Bailey, Lincoln)
	References (Author unstated) 1917 List of the various hospitals treating military cases in the United Kingdom. London, H.M.S.O. Day SH 1991 Malden - Old and New: Revisited. Marine Day Publishers. www.exploringsurreyspast.org.uk
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