There were enough of us to require two groups (morning and afternoon) for our Institute of Naval Medicine visit at Monckton House, Alverstoke.
As a working military site, the Institute needed advance notice of who was planning to attend and proof of identity when we arrived. Formalities over, we were given a history of the navy’s medical service from the barber-surgeons who went to sea with seventh-rates and above (and achieved remarkable results) to today’s sophisticated organisation. The point was well made that its capabilities need to evolve with the navy’s technology and the environment in which it operates. Service medical staff spend most of their time doing NHS work (so don’t be surprised to see a uniform in QA Hospital) but when needed the uniform has first call on their time.
We were then told about the story of the house itself. It was originally part of a grandiose plan for a luxury development facing the sea.
Unfortunately, from the developer’s point of view, there were more invoices than money. The house, however, remained in private hands until WW2 when, like so many spacious properties, it found ‘temporary’ government use, initially as Wrens’ accommodation. Refurbished after a catastrophic fire it became the navy’s medical training establishment and has expanded in that role ever since.
After the briefing we were free to browse selected documents, instruments, uniforms and other material from the Institute’s extensive archives.
In John B’s words, ‘A fascinating and educational experience.’
For more information about our future attractions, please see our Events page.