On the west side of the entrance to the White Courts estate.

A brick pillar with a large rectangular black plaque affixed on the front. The plaque is inscribed in English in white lettering. The monument is set on a stone base and 2 flag poles are standing on the west side of the monument.

The hospital, which was built of Nissen huts and tented wards has long since been removed, but the memorial stands as a permanent reminder of the courage and sacrifices made by those who served there. Initially 750 beds then later increased to 834 following D-Day. On 6 June 1944, it was further expanded by the erection of tented wards.

To begin with, many of those treated were injured and sick U.S. airmen from the local airfields but following the invasion of Europe by the allies, specially equipped hospital trains loaded with injured soldiers began to arrive at Braintree station. 13 in total eventually received. On 19 April 1944, the hospital was bombed causing much damage but luckily no one was killed or seriously injured.

The Hospital closed on 13 June 1945 and lay derelict for some years.

Source of information: www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk, en.wikipedia.org

Source of images: www.maritimequest.com, en.wikipedia.org

THE

AMERICAN ARMY

HOSPITAL

WHITE COURT PARK

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U.S.ARMY 12TH EVACUATION HOSPITAL

29th APRIL 1943 - 11th JULY 1943

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U.S.ARMY 121st STATION HOSPITAL

30th JUNE 1943 - 11th JUNE 1945

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OPENED AS A 750 BED, LATER BECOMING A 1354-

BED HOSPITAL. GIVING MEDICAL SERVICE TO 35 U.S.

8th AND 9th AIR FORCE UNITS. FOLLOWING D-DAY,

6th JUNE 1944. THE MAJORITY OF ADMISSIONS WERE

THE SOLDIER CASUALTIES FROM THE BATTLEFIELDS

OF EUROPE.

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THIS MEMORIAL IS IN HONOUR

AND MEMORY OF THE

OFFICERS - SURGEONS - NURSES - ENLISTED MEN

HOSPITAL SERVICE GROUPS - AMERICAN RED CROSS

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'SERVICE ABOVE SELF'

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THIS MEMORIAL WAS DEDICATED

ON THE 15th AUGUST 1992

TO CO-INCIDE WITH THE 50th ANNIVERSARY.

U.S.A.A.F. IN EAST ANGLIA.

1942 - 1992