Report - US Army Medical Corps, 52nd General Hospital, Wolverley Camp Kidderminster

[Chest Rockwell]

US Army Medical Corps, 52nd General Hospital, Wolverley Camp Kidderminster 17/04/2011

Hi all,

This is my very first explore with a Camera so I will take no offence if you think the pics are rubbish! Here goes:

As grand as the title sounds, there is not much left of this site at all! Here is a description of what went on at Wolverley Camp:

Wolverley camp was built during the Second World War, in Parkland at the former Lea Castle, and its surrounding estate at Wolverley, in Worcestershire. The first occupants of the newly erected brick buildings and nissen huts were Americans. Here the 52 nd General Hospital, originally from Syracuse, New York, was to establish itself as an award winning hospital for the US army in the European Theatre of Operations during World WarTwo. The skill and dedication of the men and women who served in this command contributed to the pioneering of some innovative medical procedures and playing its full part in the eventual allied victory in Europe.

At the end of the war the Americans returned to their families back in the states, while units from the British army and German POW's were taking over their former camp at Wolverley. During one particular autumn evening local families, moved into empty huts in one corner of the camp, to become "Squatters". For the next decade families would occupy these huts, many of them living in overcrowded conditions with no running water, while waiting to be rehoused by the local councils.

A few months after the "Squatters" began their illegal occupation at the camp, the Royal Army Pay Corps and ATS established a Regimental Pay Office at the camp. Soon this was to become the second largest in the UK for a number of years to follow.

more at wolverleycamp.org.uk

On to the explore! Today, the site is couple of footie fields plus a campsite. Below is an aerial photo from 1945 and I've indicated what is still standing today! There is one building that is intact but not in use, another building that is the footie players changing room and the shell of a connecting corridor that was what connected ward to ward (I assume).

The building I explored is pretty trashed inside and there is not much left in there nor is there much that would make you say "wow". The only dangers are pigeons, bees and dog sh*t...oh and of course asbestos! Enjoy!

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TBC