RAF Hospital Uxbridge

RAF Hospital Uxbridge
Near Uxbridge, Greater London in England
RAF Hospital Uxbridge Shown within Greater London
Coordinates	51°32′45″N 000°28′17″W / 51.54583°N 0.47139°WCoordinates: 51°32′45″N 000°28′17″W / 51.54583°N 0.47139°W
Type	Royal Air Force Hospital
Site information
Owner	Ministry of Defence
Operator	Royal Air Force
Site history
Built	1925
In use	1925-2010

RAF Hospital Uxbridge was a military hospital within the Royal Air Force station RAF Uxbridge.

History

Douglas Bader arrived at the hospital in 1932 to recover after the amputation of both of his legs following a flying accident. It was during his stay that he met the Desoutter brothers who were pioneering the use of lightweight aluminium for the production of prosthetic limbs.^[1] Bader was fitted with the new style of legs and returned to active service with the RAF, to become known as "the legless pilot".^[2]

In early 1940, the officers' hospital on the station became the Women's Auxiliary Air Force Hospital.^[3]

References

Citations

1. "Sir Douglas Bader CBE, DSO, DFC". London Borough of Hillingdon. 1 March 2011. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
2. Alexander, Clare (22 July 2008). "Funny, sad, amazing stories of spies and Douglas Bader". Uxbridge Gazette. Retrieved 11 March 2011.
3. Crozier 2007, p.15

Bibliography

• Crozier, Hazel. (2007) RAF Uxbridge 90th Anniversary 1917–2007. RAF High Wycombe: Air Command Media Services