|
Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 7, 2019 17:10:57 GMT 12
I cam across this photo in the Evening Post dated the 16th of March 1942 Is this the same facility also used by the RNZAF as a convalescent centre at Rotorua? I know the RNZAF also used the Tudor-style baths and museum building but did they use this facility too?
|
|
|
Post by davidd on Nov 8, 2019 6:27:17 GMT 12
Good question Dave, but afraid I cannot give a definitive answer. Still, you would have to say that this facility has got to be "in the frame" as a distinct possibility. The information I have to hand makes no mention of the RNZAF's No. 1 CD being ex-Army, but quite a few wartime Air Force establishments were (or ex-Navy). What is known is that small yachts and launches were available for convalescing RNZAF personnel, and there are some such vessels in your photograph. There was an article in the wartime Contact magazine which featured 1 CD, and there were quite a few official photographs taken for this feature. David D
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 8, 2019 7:30:37 GMT 12
Yes exactly, I recall that article too. It may not have even been ex-Army, perhaps all three services shared this new place. It is quite large after all, and I imagine it was really only used for servicemen who's been injured or ill within NZ or the Pacific, which won't have been huge numbers, surely.
|
|
|
Post by eieio on Nov 8, 2019 20:06:08 GMT 12
Looks like the establishment known as the : Queen Elizabeth Hospital at the Lake Front ,still standing but looking a bit crappy
|
|
|
Post by eieio on Nov 8, 2019 20:18:16 GMT 12
":Garden Home.".... A building n the Govt Gardens [Rotorua} occupied by men who seemed to badly injured ,as in legs or arms missing and who knows what else ,sitting in cane wheel chairs . A little kids memory from near 70 years ago
|
|
|
Post by davidd on Nov 9, 2019 10:52:41 GMT 12
Dave, Have been going through the files of "usually reliable information based on official sources" and can come up with the following (but imperfect) timeline, which suggests that you may well be correct in thinking that originally this facility was intended for all three Services.
The RNZAF had housed its very own "Medical Investigation Unit" (MIU) at Rotorua (although exact location unknown) as early as June 1942. As the Memorandum concerning this unit is missing from the files, only the file title is known! However likely to be covered in the Official War History of the Army's volume on NZ Medical Services.
By July 1943, a unit known as the Services Remedial Treatment Camp was functioning in Rotorua (it may have in fact been functioning here for some time, perhaps as far back as the date of your original news item), and in the same source it is mentioned that a Services Convalescent Hospital was also functioning at Hanmer "and both will continue to be available for Special Treatments as at present."
The Medical Investigation Unit at Rotorua was to close down at Rotorua and be transferred to Delta w.e.f. 15/9/43.
No. 1 Convalescent Depot was to form as a new unit at Rotorua w.e.f. 14/2/44, its planned function being to provide convalescent treatment for up to a maximum of 120 RNZAF aircrew personnel returned from the forward area and suffering from flying fatigue and/or operational strain. Buildings and equipment and MT transport to be obtained from the former ITW (Initial Training Wing, previously located at Rotorua) where available. Balance of buildings MT, barrack equipment were to be disposed of (surplus).
By 27/10/44 (in an organisational memorandum) it was noted that No. 4 Sick & Wounded Section, RNZAF, was to be established on No. 1 Convalescence Depot at Rotorua.
The close down of No. 1 CD @ Rotorua was to be commenced by 31/8/45, to be completed by 30/9/45.
From 13/10/45, RNZAF Te Rapa (No. 1 Stores Depot) was to responsible for administration of all equipment disposal of the former 1 CD at Rotorua.
That will have to be all for the moment.
Dave D
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 10, 2019 20:53:49 GMT 12
Thanks chaps, interesting stuff.
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 16, 2020 0:13:34 GMT 12
From the EVENING POST, 28 APRIL 1944
CONVALESCENT DEPOT
AIRMEN IN PARTICULAR
ROTORUA, April 27.
The Air Department has decided to retain Brent's and the Prince's Gate Hotel for the purpose of establishing a convalescent depot. Brent's has now been completely taken over by the Air Force and staffed with their personnel. The convalescent depot will also be available to personnel of both the Navy and the Army. The inmates will largely consist of aircrews from all theatres of war who are mainly suffering from flying fatigue or convalescing from malaria.
This is the first depot of its kind definitely established in the Dominion, but, with New Zealand's aircrew commitments considerably stepped up in the Pacific of late months, it is felt there will be plenty of call on its services. The idea was experimented with in Britain of sending aircrews requiring a rest from operations to the country. The rest centre was often one of the stately mansions of the English gentry. The scheme was so successful that it is now an integral part of Air Force life. Here, too, the Department has realised that when an airman begins to show signs of operational stress there must be a definite place and period of time to enable him to recuperate. The not-so-serious cases are staying at Brent's.
The whole principle behind their stay in Rotorua is that they shall regain their physical well-being and return to duty as an efficient fighting force. Prince's Gate is being retained as the hospital of the depot, where those requiring more specialised treatment are attended to.
The outstanding facilities Rotorua enjoys for mineral bath treatment are being utilised to this end. The Ward Baths have been made available for free treatment for all patients. The main bath-house is open only to a limited number of cases for specialised treatment.
The Ritz Hall is also being retained by the Air Force. Here instruction in occupational therapy and massage are given. There are facilities for physical education and recreational exercises. .
It is expected that the majority of the patients will be aircrew, made up of officers and sergeant pilots. Quite a number will be from the United Kingdom, though the bigger proportion will be from the Islands. In most cases a month's rest cure should be sufficient to enable airmen to regain fighting trim.
|
|
|
Post by davidd on Jan 16, 2020 10:37:53 GMT 12
The article immediately above is definitely referring to No. 1 CD Dave, but whether it includes the buildings shown in the very first post of this thread is possibly still open to question, although my feeling is that it probably does. Will need to check with that "Contact" article mentioned earlier to see if anything looks familiar. David D
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 16, 2020 17:13:50 GMT 12
Interesting how the photo was 1942 and the latest article two years later.
|
|