RAF Hospital 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
Type	Royal Air Force Hospital
Site information
Owner	Ministry of Defence
Operator	Royal Air Force
Site history
Built	1925 (1925)
In use	1925-2010 (2010)

RAF Hospital Uxbridge was a military hospital within the Royal Air Force station RAF Uxbridge.

History

Douglas 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

Citations

1. "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.
2. Alexander, Clare (22 July 2008). "Funny, sad, amazing stories of spies and Douglas Bader". Uxbridge Gazette. Retrieved 11 March 2011.
3. Crozier 2007, p. 15
4. 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