Monument record MDO43058 - Second World War military hospital, Wardon Hill, Sydling St Nicholas

An extensive area of Second World War activity associated with a military hospital and D-Day camp is visible as structures and earthworks on aerial photographs on Wardon Hill, Sydling St Nicholas. The military site is recorded by the Defence of Britain project (UID 5722) and in the NRHE (Hob UID 1416128). It was digitally plotted during the Dorset Upper Frome AIM project.

MILITARY HOSPITAL. Revised SRF Near clay pigeon cart track, Wardon Hill D-Day hospital Concrete pads still surviving Recorder- C. Perry. <2-3> An extensive area of Second World War activity associated with a military hospital and D-Day camp is visible as structures and earthworks on aerial photographs on Wardon Hill, Sydling St Nicholas <4-6>. The military site is recorded in the NRHE (Hob UID 1416128) which documents an entry in the Defence of Britain database (UID 5722) but this could not be verified. The site is visible on a 1945 aerial photograph where it comprises a concentrated series of structures on Wardon Hill, linked by paths and covered walkways. Trackways lead to a further area of activity to the east, comprising further trackways and a number of structures loosely positioned along the trackways. A further small group of structures is visible on the north side of the site, separated by the road, on a 1945 aerial photograph <4>; further activity and development in this area post April 1945 is indicated on aerial photograph dated April 1947 but it is not certain whether this was military in nature <6>. The aerial photographs dated to April 1945 and April 1947 indicate general changes across the site during this period, which includes additions as well as the removal of structures <4-5>. Some of this may be associated with D-Day preparations. The use of the site post 1945 is not documented. The footprint of the main hostpital site is still visible on current Google Earth imagery wher it comprises a modern racing track, hotel and small business premises. The area to the east is now fields and plantation and only the main trackway that ran through the military camp in this area is still extant. No further features are visible on current Google Earth imagery. The features were digitally plotted during the Dorset Upper Frome AIM project.

Record last edited

Nov 25 2022 1:47PM