| Although the former hospital at Rauceby is better known as being a mental health facility, I have included it here as during the war and early post war years, 1940–1947, it was taken over by the RAF for use as a military hospital.
Located about 2 miles South-East of Sleaford just off the A153, the building originally opened in 1902 as a Victorian-style Lunatic Asylum named Kestevan Mental Hospital, which was later renamed Rauceby after the nearby village. In 1940, with the onset of World War 2, the building was acquired by the RAF, and the inmates transferred to other facilities. For the duration of the war, it became No4 RAF Hospital Rauceby and was run by medical staff from nearby RAF Cranwell, primarily as a Crash and Burns Unit for the pilots in Lincolnshire. During this time, pioneering plastic surgeon Archibald McIndoe worked there and many of his patients became members of the famous Guinea Pig Club (basically a drinking club made up of McIndoe’s early patients). The RAF left a couple of years after the wars end in 1947, and the building was handed over to the (then) newly formed National Health Service, for use as a mental health facility again. Rauceby hospital was closed in 1997 following a major restructure in how the NHS provided Mental Health Care. Though some of the outer buildings away from the complex are still in use, the main site is currently being demolished to make way for a housing estate. A memorial scroll commemorating the buildings work as an RAF Hospital during 1940-1947 was on display in the entrance hall to the main building, but this was moved to Orchard House, one of the outer buildings, just prior to its closure in the late 90’s. I believe Orchard House is one of the facilities still in use, however I am not sure if the memorial is still there (if anyone knows, please contact me). These pictures show what remained of the old hospital during early summer 2006. |
Former main entrance off the A153, with old gatehouse on the left (now someone's house) 535x400 |
Former main hospital entrance (now derelict). 535x400 |
Former hospital wings behind main entrance being demolished. 535x400 |
Another shot of the former wings being demolished. 535x400 |
The old chappel. 535x400 |
Former West entrance on Willoughby road, with former gatehouse on right (now someone's house). 535x400 |
