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No trace of Hemlington Hospital remains but in World War One, the area was buzzing with activity as thousands of soldiers arrived from the front line to receive treatment.

Local dignitaries awaited the arrival of the first train load of wounded at Middlesbrough Railway Station. They had bought cigarettes and hot drinks for them.

In 1914, they had little comprehension of what was happening in France and there was stunned silence as one soldier was taken off the train with a piece of shrapnel protruding from his leg.

Trains continued to bring a steady stream of wounded. Soldiers from across the UK found themselves based at Hemlington, which was surrounded by fields and there was very little to do. Doctors were taxied in but the council struggled with the finances and it ran at a loss. One manager was critical of volunteer nurses who arrived to help but left after a matter of weeks.

Locaton: Stainton Way, Hemlington, Middlesbrough TS8 9LX
Image: Hemlington Hospital (circa 1914), courtesy of Paul Menzies

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