Military Chat

My Dad was in the Royal Marines in WWII. He was injured and spent quite a long time recovering, some of his time was in Essex, near Braintree. On his marriage certificate he gives RN.O.R.C White Courts, Black Notley as his address.
I have found information about the US Army having a hospital there but it was closed in 1945, my Dad was there until 1948.
Does anyone have any information about a British military hospital near there?
Thank you.
Mike.

There wouldn't be a British hospital - just the US one you mention. It took casualties of all Allied countries.


"To begin with, many of those treated were injured and sick U.S. airmen from the local airfields but following the invasion of Europe by the allies, specially equipped hospital trains loaded with injured soldiers began to arrive at Braintree station. 13 in total eventually received. On 19 April 1944 the hospital was bombed causing much damage but luckily no one killed or seriously injured.
The Hospital closed on the 13 June 1945 and lay derelict for some years. "
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Court

From the dates you give, perhaps the patients who were there when the hospital was bombed were rehoused in other accommodation which was given the same name .
Can't find anything to support that theory so far, though.



"The military hospital consisted essentially of Nissen Huts linked together by sheltered walkways. Initially 750 beds which were then later increased to 834 following D-Day. On 6th June 1944 it was expanded further by the erection of tented wards."
https://www.joscelynechase.co.uk/about/area-factfile/white-court

Braintree Museum might be able to tell you about it.

https://www.braintreemuseum.co.uk/contact-us/



A fragment of the 1944 bomb was given to the museum in 2001;

https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/5485012.braintree-bombs-return/

More here;

https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/91/a7209191.shtml

"There was a large hospital built at Black Notley by the Americans — all in rows of single story Army Huts. A mile up the London Road towards Chelmsford there was another American Army Camp."


Apparently there was also an Emergency Hospital at Black Notley - but not called White Court.
Originally a smallpox hospital, then a TB sanatorium, but used for casualties during the war:
https://ezitis.myzen.co.uk/briefhistoryems.html


"The smallpox hospital at Black Notley was under a caretaker until its conversion into a tuberculosis hospital in 1913, when a matron and assistant matron were appointed."
https://tinyurl.com/vy3kccv


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-32621310

Thank you.