In March 1915 as the First World War raged and casualties grew relentlessly
Frodsham opened its first 160 bed hospital on the roller-skating rink on
the top of Bellemonte (Overton Hill). The Skating Rink was built in 1910
and a had a perfectly flat polished maple floor. One of the key organisers
was a Mr. T. S. Bower, O.B.E.. Two local sisters - Mrs. Bailey and Mrs.
Gold volunteered as Red Cross nurses. Patients were given blue jackets
and trousers, red ties with brown boots to wear during their stay. They
could continue to wear their own caps. Harold Blades Ellison, MA MB BCh
(Camb) MRSC Eng, LRCP Lond of Brentwood Frodsham was the Medical Officer.
Soldiers came from a wide range of regiments and countries. Those who
died were buried in the local church yard with full military honours. Wounded
were transported by train from Southampton to Chester. From there ambulances
moved them to the hospital. A total of 3,435 patients were treated by the
time the hospital closed after the end of the war in 1919.
After the war in the 1920's it was used for Carnival Balls.
