WW2 US Hospital at Sutton in Ashfield

By Marg Thorne

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The hospital was originally activated at Camp Livingston, Louisiana, USA. Its commanding officer was Charles B Kendall. Many members were civilians with no military training. Among them were 3 Red Cross Workers and 70 nurses.

On 3rd June 1942, they went by rail and ferry from Fort Dix to ?New York. 4th June they sailed for England on the Queen Elizabeth (U.S Army Transport). On 9th June they arrived at Gourock in Scotland, where they finished off their journey by rail.

10th June they embarked at a newly built hospital near Mansfield. The personnel consisted of the 16th Station Hospital, 207th General Hospital and affiliated group, and a unit of American Dept Casuals for rations and administration.

The hospital had been prepared by 53rd Med. Battalion acting as housekeepers.

The organisation occupied one enlisted, one nurses' and two officers'  barracks, with four wards and main kitchen, one mess hall, and combined officers' and nurses' mess.

12 officers assigned to the group, but unable to accompany it sailed in late June 1942, but a submarine sunk their transport. There were no casualties, and they returned to USA. They later arrived back at the hospital in August 1942.