Good Morning All, I recently posted the following on the RAMC thread, but received no response, so it's on to you guys now! During the time I've been researching my father's wartime as a Para with 8th Battalion Parachute Regiment, I've made tremendous progress, but there is still one gap. He was wounded and captured on D-Day, then taken prisoner and went to the POW hospital in Rennes. He was liberated and repatriated (apparently by US Army units) on about the 5th August 1944, but from then on until he was discovered in Smithdown Infirmary in Liverpool on 14th August there is nothing. I have just got my hands on his Smithdown admission and discharge records, which to be honest just add more mystery about the missing time. He was in Basinstoke hospital prior to being transferred to Liverpool - did they receive repatriated wounded troops from somewhere like RAF Balkehill Farm? On discharge from Liverpool he was sent to "122 M.C.D." which I assume means Medical Convalescent Depot since I've found oblique references to the phrase on t'internet. However, I can find no reference to No. 122 MCD, it's location or any other similar institutions in 1944, but I assume it was RAMC. At some time later he returned to the Parachute Depot. Any help would be gratefully received. Cheers, Eric
Maybe contact with Hants archives (http://www.hants.gov.uk/rh/archives/ww2.pdf) will provide more info on Basingstoke hospital and its functions in 1944. It seems for this link they may still have records for the year you need - The National Archives | Search the archives | Hospital Records| Details You never know what some of these leads may turn up TD edited to add: Maybe also contact this site - Home - Scarlet Finders they may have details
Richard, Although Scarletfinders site is well worth a visit it is no longer updated as the founder Sue Light passed away in summer 2016. She used to post on GWF. Steve
Hi Richard, Yes, I looked on that Hampshire Records Office page and have spoken to a researcher who isn't too hopeful, but is searching! And as Steve noted Scarlet finders hasn't been updated for some time and doesn't mention any reasonable key words associated with Medical Convalescent Depot. I'm hoping therefore that the Hampshire CRO comes up with something. Cheers, Eric
This may be too late, but 122 MCD was at Trentham Park on the edge of Stoke on Trent in Staffordshire. It was a 1700 bed unit between 1943 and 1945. I have been hoping to find a photo of the camp, but have so far been unsuccessful.
