Archived Report - RAF Nocton Hospital - August 2009

[ukmayhem]

Visited with Concentration F and Liam as part of our bank holiday midlands tour

On America's entry into the Great War in 1917 Nocton Hall, an 18th Century manor house, was turned into a convalescent home for young American officers. Towards the end of 1919 the now vacant Hall and its estate were sold to William H. Dennis who having little affection for domestic life in the village, did not reside there.

Having lain vacant since the departure of the American military in 1919, Nocton Hall and 200 acres of parkland was acquired by the Air Ministry in 1940 and turned into an RAF Hospital. The Hall itself was used as an Army "clearing station" until 1943, when the US Army took possession of the Hall and grounds for a second time. Nocton became home for the United States Army Seventh General Hospital, built in the grounds behind it, and the Hall was used as the Officers’ Club.

At the end of the War in 1945 the RAF selected Nocton Hall to be their permanent hospital for the county of Lincolnshire. RAF Nocton Hall was a 740 bed hospital under RAF control until 1984, used by civilians and forces personnel, one of the country’s undisputed RAF Hospitals. The decision to close Nocton Hall as a military hospital was taken on 31st March 1983.

In 1984 Nocton Hall was leased to the US Armed Forces for a third time, this time as a United States Air Force wartime contingency hospital. During the Gulf War in 1991/92 some 1300 US medical staff were sent there, many billeted at RAF Scampton. Fortunately only 35 casualties received treatment here during the conflict. In its latter days just 13 American personnel remained here to keep the hospital serviceable.

There followed a short period serving as an RAF forward outpatient department, from 1992 until 1993.

RAF Nocton Hall was again handed back to the British Government to stand empty on 30 Sep 95. After a short period serving as a private residential home, the Hall and grounds are became subject to property development having been identified for disposal by the Defence Estates.


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