123rd Australian Special Hospital

Brief History

Authorized in June 1942, this hospital was located at Thorndon Park, and it replaced the 2/14th Special Hospital in October. It was a temporary hospital made up of nearly 20 prefabricated huts and nearly 100 tent sites. Little more known about the hospital. Its primary purpose seems to have been to treat soldiers returning from overseas with contagious venereal diseases.

Patients had their own Anzac Day services rather than join the public marches in Adelaide. The hospital did have its own colour patch which would have been worn by the staff. A garden was started and with patients and staff assisting it was well established by 1943. It became quite substantial, including a rockery, fish ponds and an avenue of 45 Chinese elm trees leading off Addison Road. Even though the Second World War had ended in 1945, the hospital was still operating in 1946, but was closed by late 1946.

Patients

• Vernon Arthur Bettenay ?? Jun - ?? Aug 1943