I have been given a booklet on the 228th hospital built in 1943 at Haydon Park, nr Sherborne in the county of
Dorset UK.
It started operating from September 18th 1943
The author is a lady who served there as a civillian shorthand typist at the headquarters.
The CO was Col Charles B. Kendall and many other US servicemen are mentioned and pictured in the booklet.
The hospital closed in 1945 and the equipment and medical supplies were distributed to local civillian hospitals.
Colin. 
There's a unique piece of history!
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter 'Monday' Poniedzialek
540th Combat Engineer - H&S Company
I'm returning to this subject as I have found more information on the construction by US Engineers of this hospital in 1943. I am particularly interested in the construction of a road that was needed to facilitate the movement of large US Army vehicles from the port of Weymouth to the hospital at Sherborne. In the 1940s many UK roads were still in the horse and cart era and it was realised that ambulances need a fast good passage, not the winding country road that wends it's way through Cerne Abbas in Dorset. A new road was built over the Giant's Head (a chalk monument built into the ground) where only a track existed. Long and straight I have hitchhiked along it many times in my early RAF service! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerne_Abbas_giant
Are there any US Army Engineers that were involved in the above?
Marion it is interesting that our 'Bible' mentions road construction in many places but not the UK?
Colin.
Yes, it is interesting that is does not mention the UK. Let's hope we can find someone who know more about this road in England.
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter 'Monday' Poniedzialek
540th Combat Engineer - H&S Company
Brian Guy from the wbg forum lives in Dorset. He's a WWII Vet himself, he was injured terribly in an explosion. He's lived in Dorset many years. You can find him there under the name "sapper". He has his own thread in the Veteran's Stories section. Tell him I sent ya! He's a great guy.
Brooke
God bless those heroes who suffered and died, for plain folks, like you and me.
War is a crime. Ask the infantry and ask the dead.
Thank you for the information Brooke, I have visited the website.
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter 'Monday' Poniedzialek
540th Combat Engineer - H&S Company
I just love Brian. I read his entire thread on wbg (no small feat) a few years ago. He also loaned me the last copy of his book to read. He's such a swell guy.
God bless those heroes who suffered and died, for plain folks, like you and me.
War is a crime. Ask the infantry and ask the dead.
ON PARADE!
Members of the 228th American Hospital, Haydon Park, nr Sherborne, Dorset.
August 26th 1944.
The 228th Hospital main gate and an article from a US newspaper.
The 228th Hospital main gate and an article from a US newspaper.
Hi
The Lodge house pictured inside the ornate fence is my home and i am really interested in any other stories about the 228th Hospital based in Haydon. All of the original buildings are gone and the site is now a very popular walk through to Sherborne. Only recently discovered Jean Treasure's book regarding the Hospital and it is absolutely fascinating.
Regards
Mark
Hi
The Lodge house pictured inside the ornate fence is my home and i am really interested in any other stories about the 228th Hospital based in Haydon. All of the original buildings are gone and the site is now a very popular walk through to Sherborne. Only recently discovered Jean Treasure's book regarding the Hospital and it is absolutely fascinating.
Regards
Mark
Hi
There is a plaque commemorating the 228th hospital in the Three Elms Pub which is just up the road (attached). They also have a full schematic of the hospital layout with some pictures from jean Treasure's book. They also serve a very good pint of cider so worth the short journey for more than one reason!
Still very interested in any other detail anyone has.
Regards
Mark
Hi
There is a plaque commemorating the 228th hospital in the Three Elms Pub which is just up the road (attached). They also have a full schematic of the hospital layout with some pictures from jean Treasure's book. They also serve a very good pint of cider so worth the short journey for more than one reason!
Still very interested in any other detail anyone has.
Regards
Mark
Mark-
I was just up by your house a little over a month ago! My wife and I traveled to Sherborne to find the remains of the 228th Field Hospital. My grandfather was a driver assigned to the 228th from 1943-1945. We were actually in England to visit London, but we cut our time in the city short by a day to visit Sherborne. I made a picture book of what we found for my grandfather, and I bought him (and myself and my dad) a copy of Jean Treasure's book about the 228th--got it in the Sherborne Museum.
The whole thing was quite an adventure--first time I'd been to England. My grandfather was blown away by the picture book and Treasure's book on the unit. He's actually in the picture on the front cover--he has an original of that unit portrait. He'll be 91 in August and doesn't do much reading anymore besides the newspaper, but I think he read that book 4 times in the weekend I was there. Turns out that the soldier who was assigned as Ms. Treasure's driver--Maurice Whipp--was my grandfather's co-driver when they would drive outside the Sherborne/Haydon area.
I took a couple of pictures of your house--hope you don't mind!
Regards-
Greg
This is all so fascinating. Greg, loved to hear about your grandfather and the fact he read the book 4 times that weekend.
Thanks for your great letter. I know Colin and Mark will be so happy to read it.
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter 'Monday' Poniedzialek
540th Combat Engineer - H&S Company
Thank you Greg and Mark for adding to the information about the 228th. I am pleased that my original post is still active and hope there may be more to learn.
Can I also say that if any other veterans or their families are visiting Sherborne please get in touch with me as I live fairly near and would like the chance to meet them.
Colin.
