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World War I

Wounded Soldiers in Hove

By Adam Dennis

This photograph of a group of soldiers shows my great grandfather Charles Sparks, second from the left. As you can see the notation suggests a hospital in Hove. Does anyone know which hospital that might be?

The photograph is apparently one of the European War Series 206. I wonder if this means anything to anyone. Charles Sparks was a Royal Engineer for the East Surrey Regiment. This shows him having lost two fingers on his right hand. He was sent back to the front and lost his left arm judging from the only photo of him that was taken after he lost his arm. Charles died in 1943 aged 53.

Photo: Illustrative image for the 'World War I' page

This page was added on 28/06/2007.

Comments about this page

I imagine it would be the old Hove Hospital on Sackville Road.

By Tim Hodges (27/05/2009)

There were several hospitals used by wounded soldiers in WW1 in Hove. The list of military hospitals receiving wounded British and Dominion troops shows: “Lady George Nevill”, 24 Palmeira Square, Hove belonging to Lord and Lady Nevill. The Larnach Hospital, 38 Adelaide Crescent, Hove belonging to the son of the Nevill family. British Red Cross Society, 6 Third Avenue, Hove, 40 beds and operating theatre. The Royal Pavilion, Brighton. Hove & Sussex Grammar School (BHASVIC): converted into a 520 bed military hospital to receive Dominion troops in February 1915. 5 Eastern Terrace and some other houses in Kemp Town. “The Kemp Town Hospital” Royal Sussex County Hospital, Eastern Road, 100 beds. Hove Dispensary (Hove General Hospital), Sackville Road, 20 beds, Stanford Road School.

By David Shelton (20/09/2009)

I dont think its Hove Hospital, it did not have a pebble-dash finish render coat!

By Peter Groves (30/03/2010)

Just signed up here and will have a go at posting a photo of the Matron and staff at 6 Third Avenue, Hove. This real photo postcard was sent home by a Canadian soldier in 1919. http://www.flickr.com/photos/13108733@N00/4569454799/sizes/l/

By Allan Hubbell (02/05/2010)

I hoped that pasting in the photo's URL from a photo sharing website would display the photo but I see that didn't work. Can you direct me to any instructions on how to post a photo in a comment on this site?

Editor's reply: Sorry but it is not possible to submit photos in our comments. We do not allow links to other sites' photos either. If you wish to submit photographs you will find a link to a video on how to do this on the front page of the site. Please do remember that we will only publish photos with the explicit permission of the holder of the copyright to the images.

By Allan Hubbell (03/05/2010)

This photo was taken at what is now West Hove Infant School. It was known as Portland Road Council School in those days. During WW1 it became part of the 2nd Eastern General Hospital, serving as a satellite to the Hove General Hospital. Many wounded solders came through its doors mainly for recuperation after being patched up at other locations. I have several other photos of the school at this time. If the editor sends me an email I would be happy to share them with you.
[Editor: If you would like some help uploading photos to the site, please contact us at info@mybrightonandhove.org.uk]

By Paul Rose (05/11/2010)

Thanks Paul for that information, would love to see the photos you mentioned. I have another photo taken inside the hospital.

By Adam Dennis (26/11/2010)