The location of 4th Stationary Hospital at Arques

The 4th Stationary Hospital was a unit of the Royal Army Medical Corps. It relocated from Saint-Omer to Arques in May 1915 and remained there until it moved on to Longuenesse near Saint-Omer in mid-October 1918.

Present-day map. Arques lies south east of Saint-Omer.

Map from the war diary of 4th Stationary Hospital, dated 31 January 1916. [National Archives WO95/4099]

Same war diary. A proposed plan of the hospital from 1915.

The hospital can be seen (in red) on this British map of July 1918.

Imperial War Museum photograph Q28914, “Panorama of No. 4. Stationary Hospital, Arques”.

I have marked the centre of the hospital site using a red flag, overlaid onto this present-day map. Although the lines of main roads, rivers and canals are much the same, the area has been developed beyond recognition. The site itself is now a pleasant area of housing.

The canal barge lift at nearby Fontinettes is an engineering marvel that should not be missed should you visit this area.

Links

Casualty evacuation chain for sick and wounded soldiers

British Base Hospitals in France

What was a Stationary Hospital?