RAF Hospital Uxbridge was a military hospital within the Royal Air Force station RAF Uxbridge.
RAF Hospital Uxbridge | |
|---|---|
| Near Uxbridge, Greater London in England | |
 | |
  RAF Hospital Uxbridge Shown within Greater London | |
| Coordinates | 51°32′45″N 000°28′17″W / 51.54583°N 0.47139°W |
| Type | Royal Air Force Hospital |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Ministry of Defence |
| Operator | Royal Air Force |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1925 |
| In use | 1925-2010 |
History
editDouglas Bader arrived at the hospital in 1932 to recover after the amputation of both of his legs following a flying accident. It was during his stay that he met the Desoutter brothers who were pioneering the use of lightweight aluminium for the production of prosthetic limbs.[1] Bader was fitted with the new style of legs and returned to active service with the RAF, to become known as "the legless pilot".[2]
In early 1940, the officers' hospital on the station became the Women's Auxiliary Air Force Hospital,[3] with the Officers' hospital moving to the RAF Hospital Torquay.[4]
References
edit- Citations
- ^ "Sir Douglas Bader CBE, DSO, DFC". London Borough of Hillingdon. 1 March 2011. Archived from the original on 18 March 2012. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
- ^ Alexander, Clare (22 July 2008). "Funny, sad, amazing stories of spies and Douglas Bader". Uxbridge Gazette. Retrieved 11 March 2011.
- ^ Crozier 2007, p. 15
- ^ Mackie, Mary (2001). Sky wards : a history of the Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service. London: Robert Hale. p. 103. ISBN 0-7090-6976-6.
- Bibliography
- Crozier, Hazel. (2007) RAF Uxbridge 90th Anniversary 1917–2007. RAF High Wycombe: Air Command Media Services