Georges Heights Military Hospital and WWI

In 1914 Australia greeted the outbreak of war in Europe with enthusiasm - the Great War. By mid-1918 that enthusiasm had waned. There was scarcely a home that had not been touched by the cost to the nation. The casualties were staggering. Over 60,000 men were killed and over 152, 000 were wounded.

At first, wounded men were treated in England, France or Egypt in Australian-run hospitals. If they could be repaired within six months, they were sent back to the battlefront. Otherwise they were "taken off strength" and returned to Australia and placed in military hospitals to convalesce.

The care of these patients became a major part of the effort of the Australian Army Medical Corps. At Georges Heights a hospital was created - the 21st Australian Auxiliary Hospital - which was to play a role in this important task.

The 21st Australian Auxiliary Hospital

By 1918 the hospital at Georges Heights was the third largest military hospital in Australia. Men returning from the trenches of the Western Front were treated here. Some were awaiting discharge, others were convalescents returned from overseas, and some were able to perform light duties.

A large staff of over 100 military personnel as well as nursing sisters and masseuses kept the long-term rehabilitation hospital running smoothly. Lieutenant Colonel W. H. Read, an experienced wartime medical veteran, ran a disciplined hospital of 450 beds.

By 1921 the hospital was closed but its wards were converted to barracks and offices and continued to be used by the military. Today many of these original hutted buildings still remain and have been carefully conserved by the Harbour Trust. They are the only WWI military hospital buildings to survive in NSW and are a rare example of a WWI hospital complex.

 

The Hospital on the Hill 1916-1921

You can discover the stories behind the 21st Australian Auxiliary Hospital. Voluntary researcher, Geoff Barnes, has unearthed some of the history of the men and women who worked at the hospital at Georges Heights or lived here as patients. Candid photographs taken by staff at the hospital provide a rare personal view of life for those injured during WWI and for those who cared for them.

On your next visit to Georges Heights stop by Building 21, originally one of the hospital's wards, to find out more about the historic hospital and then take a walk around the precinct.

You can also download an online version of The Hospital on the Hill.

Title	The Hospital on the Hill 1916-1921
Publication Details	Sydney Harbour Federation Trust, 2008
About this Publication	This summary history of the 21st Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Georges Heights is based on research by Geoff Barnes. The book is on display in an original ward of the hospital, Building 21 at Georges Heights. Display open to the public every day from 9am to 4pm.
To Download PDF Files	Hospital on the Hill: Pages 1-5 [PDF - 1,541KB] Contents: Introduction, Georges Heights, Georges Heights Today, Buildings Hospital on the Hill: Pages 6-10 [PDF - 1,1997KB] Contents: The Buildings, Recruiting for the War, Passing the Medical, Dead Meat Ticket Hospital on the Hill: Pages 11-15 [PDF - 2,091KB] Contents: The Horror of War, The Butcher's Bill, Your Life in Their Hands, Homeward Bound, Black Ships Hospital on the Hill: Pages 16-20 [PDF - 1,936 KB] Contents: Continuity of Treatment, Back Home, Biggest Experiment in Medicine to Date, Upgrades Reviews & New Brooms, Lieutenant-Colonel W. H. Read Hospital on the Hill: Pages 21-25 [PDF - 727KB] Contents: The Road to Recovery, The Sympathy Vote, Rest & Tedium, Return to Civvie Street, Discipline Hospital on the Hill: Pages 26-30 [PDF - 1,635] Contents: A Famous Aviator: Charles Ulm, Harry Horsley Makes the Best of Things, Another Day in Hospital, Captain Edmund Roseby, Captain Edwin Fitzpatrick Hospital on the Hill: Pages 31-35 [PDF 2,039 KB] Contents: Staff Sergeant George Henderson, Matron Nellie Morrice, Is it Moral for a Woman to do a Man's Work?, Private Tom Boyle Hospital on the Hill: Pages 36-40 [PDF - 1,985 KB] Contents: Daisy Pattinson Masseuses, Daisy's Album, The Power of Massage, Massage at Georges Heights Hospital on the Hill: Pages 41-45 [PDF - 1,446KB] Contents: I dropped my watch and then they dropped me! Hospital Visitors, Seeking Information, God-botherers Hospital on the Hill: Pages 46-50 [PDF - 671 KB] Contents: Trained Nurses vs Volunteers, An Outpatient's Tale; Meet the Neighbours, Spanish Flu, Surplus to Requirements Hospital on the Hill - Acknowledgements [PDF- 967 PDF]

 

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