A COUNTY LUNATIC ASYLUM

THE HISTORY OF BURNTWOOD HOSPITAL

BY DAVID BUDDEN

THE SECOND WORLD WAR

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On February 15th 1937 an ominous note appeared in the Minutes of the Committee of Visitors.

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'Medical and Nursing Staff were given lectures and demonstrations concerning precautions to be taken in the event of an air raid. They were also given instruction in anti-gas precautions'

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Nevertheless, activities continued unabated.

Morris Dancing, Billiards and Whist Drives were ever popular. The Cricket Club played against teams from Mickleover and from Northampton. Concerts and shows put on by Vaudeville companies were appreciated while members of staff who played in the Hospital Band were awarded an extra 2/- per week.

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Just as some Asylums had been taken over for War Casualties in the First World War, so again, similar preparations were made. When the emergency arose, 168 extra patients arrived in Burntwood even though there were already 124 patients in excess of the statutory accommodation.

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" Lectures on Air Raid precautions were given, together with a combined class for entering the Gas Chamber'       Dr Reid. Annual Report 1938

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That had been written before the terrible reality of the term was known.

Still there is a bright side too:

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"The Cricket Club won the local knock out Chauntry Cup. They won 14 matches, drew 12 and lost 3. Patients are keen local partisans"

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"The Minister of Health visited the Hospital to select a suitable site for the erection of Wooden Hutments........ a site in a field known as Hill Piece was chosen"         Committee of Visitors. March 20th 1939

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Here was another opportunity for the Committee of Visitors - they charged H.M. Government £6 p.a. rent for the land. The hutments were designed to accommodate up to 300 casualties.

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In June 1939 further preparations were required. The Dining Hall was provided with two baths  and made ready for conversion into a dormitory at short notice. (In fact the Hall was never used as a dormitory) The Operating Theatre was to be improved and a reserve theatre prepared. The kitchen and laundry were to be provided with extra equipment.

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"...the Admission Hospital and Convalescent Villas were evacuated of patients and prepared for casualties...."                      Committee of Visitors. September 18th 1939

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Thus, the brand new admission Hospital and Villas were taken out of the hands of the Hospital Authorities almost before the plaster was dry.

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Air Raid Precaution work was undertaken- sand bags were filled and blinds were fitted. The Ministry of Health Emergency hutments, seven to accommodate 40 patients each, were in course of erection. The Public Telephone in the hospital was manned night and day to receive warnings while the Hospital siren provided an alarm service for the village of Burntwood.

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"....on May 29th last, a convoy of 242 sick and wounded officers and men were received into the Emergency Hospital"          Committee of Visitors June 1940

 

 

 

These men were from Dunkirk though the Emergency Hospital was not yet out of contractors hands. Very soon they were joined by children evacuated from the Birmingham Children's Hospital, infirm aliens as well as sick men from local Army Units. 

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