Beneath our feet lies a poignant reminder of a past epidemic. This is Darenth Southern Rest Cemetery. It is the final resting place for those who succumbed to smallpox while under the care of the nearby Southern Hospital.
The Southern Hospital began as a tented camp in 1884. It was created to alleviate pressure on London hospitals during a smallpox epidemic. The Metropolitan Asylums Board established it near the Darenth School for Imbecile Children. The first patients came from smallpox ships four miles away.
Initially, patients stayed in tents. The asylum provided kitchen and other facilities. But the weather turned cold and the patients moved indoors. The Metropolitan Asylums Board purchased Gore Farm in 1883 for £16000. The 160-acre farm was south of the asylum. The temporary camp transferred to this site in 1884. It included double tents for 300 patients. There were marquees for daytime use and ancillary tents for staff. More tents were added as needed. Two wooden huts became infirmaries.
Most patients stayed about three weeks. Visitors were restricted unless death was near. Patients could write letters. The letters were disinfected before posting.
During the 1884-1885 epidemic, smallpox patients were first treated on hospital ships. Recovering patients then went to Gore Farm. The smallpox hospitals in London became fever hospitals.
By 1886, improvements were needed at the farm. Despite fire hazard warnings, eight wooden huts were built in 1887. Each hut had 26 beds. A superintendent’s house was built southeast of the huts. An administration block and laundry were built to the north. This became the Gore Farm Lower Hospital. More huts were later added.
Permanent buildings were erected in 1890. These comprised 20 two-story ward blocks and isolation wards. There was also a two-story administration block with a kitchen. Staff accommodation was on either side of the kitchen. A Nurses’ Home and domestic staff block were also built. This was the Gore Farm Upper Hospital with 1000 beds.
By 1903, the Joyce Green Hospital opened. The Metropolitan Asylums Board decided Gore Farm would treat convalescing fever and general patients. In 1908, it was renamed the Southern Convalescent Hospital. By 1911, it became the Southern Hospital.
During World War I, the Lower Southern Hospital became the Dartford War Hospital. It had 1200 beds. It treated badly wounded German soldiers. Many died and were buried at Darenth Park. Later, their graves were moved to Cannock Chase. Recovered soldiers were sent to a Prisoner-of-War camp. They helped on local farms.
The U.S. government took over the Upper Hospital in 1918. It became the United States Base Hospital No. 37. This was the largest American military hospital in England. It had 2000 beds. King George V and Queen Mary visited the hospital. They spoke to wounded soldiers.
The Base Hospital closed at the end of 1918. In 1919, the American servicemen returned to the U.S. The Southern Hospital then treated infectious diseases and poor children.
The Southern Hospital joined the NHS in 1948. It closed in 1959. It was deemed too large for modernization. The buildings were demolished in 1967. The Dartford by-pass was built through the site. The remaining land is now part of Darenth Country Park.
Southern Rest remains. It is a quiet testament to those who lost their lives during a difficult time. This cemetery reminds us of the challenges faced in combating epidemics. It honors those who cared for the sick. Take a moment to reflect on their stories.