We are lucky to have Teddington Memorial Hospital, located on Hampton Road.

But do you know about the rich history of the hospital?

Well read on to find out...

The Early Days

Teddington's Hospital dates back to 1874, when a public meeting determined that "a Cottage Hospital be established for the benefit of the sick poor of Teddington and Hampton Wick".

The hospital was originally a pair of villas that were adapted into a hospital for the cost of £150.

The small hospital opened in 1875. Over the years, its capacity has been extended but it started with just four beds!

In 1892, when the local population had increased to 10,000, the Hospital was extended. It then had 10 beds, staffed by a Matron and 2 trained nurses.

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By 1909, the Hospital was in financial difficulty. The Board of Management considered cutting staff and closing beds.

The Hospital Flower and Vegetable Show served to raise money to save the hospital, as did the Surrey Comet's "Shilling Fund".

During the Wars

In November 1914, the Management Committee placed the hospital's resources at the army's disposal.

Other institutions in the Borough had made similar offers to the army, being used throughout the war as a place of rest or as a training centre for soldiers.

Where possible, the Army Medical Services decreed that where possible they would not interfere with civilian sick.

Teddington Hospital continued at this time to treat military personnel, but not the war wounded. The strains of war led to a decline in fundraising for the hospital.

When war ended in 1919, it was agreed that a new hospital was to be built. It was to be known as the Teddington Memorial Hospital, as a tribute to Teddington's 337 war dead. It opened a decade later as the Teddington Hampton Wick and District Memorial Hospital.

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In 1931 the hospital renamed itself to the much simpler 'Teddington Memorial Hospital'.

In August 1939, at the outbreak of WW2, the Hospital became a Casualty Clearing Station (CCS) and a Gas Decontamination Unit was built.

A church on the opposite corner of the road was completely destroyed by a direct hit a bomb during the blitz, but the Hospital was spared severe damage by the bomb-blast wall which had been built along its frontage, although the windows of the administration block were shattered and tiles torn off from the roof.

Next week we will bring you part two of this feature as we go through the hospital's post war years