Single storey, rectangular brick built hut, with corrugated iron roof, and front entry oriented SSW, a second service door exists on the North side. Possible small modern extension to the south of the building. Sources suggest this building dates to 1940-45 period and was built as one of the hospital buildings for the American servicemen, the design and general appearance bears this out, as does comparison with photos of the site at this time. Windows mostly modern, interior also modernized. External appearance only to be considered for Local Listing.
Hermitage Camp was built during World War II as an American hospital and after the Americans left it was occupied by Polish refugees. When it was taken over by the School of Military Survey it was in a very dilapidated condition and the area, now occupied by the married quarters, was a jumble of hovels, some of which were still occupied. When the Unit arrived at Hermitage, inevitably there were no married quarters as it was a ‘temporary’ wartime camp. The majority of married officers and a few soldiers obtained hirings and eventually even purchased houses in Newbury and the local area. The majority of soldiers were accommodated in married quarters at Tidworth some 25 miles away. These unfortunate men, who were largely members of the permanent staff, had to travel daily to and from the School in trucks, a round trip of at least two and a half hours.
In 1954, 48 soldiers’ quarters were built in Faircross and in the following year 16 officers’ quarters were built at Curridge Piece and at the same time the NAAFI shop (today’s Costcutter shop) was built in Faircross. These quarters enabled both officers and soldiers on the staff to be accommodated near the camp and for the first time in the history of the School it was possible to establish a normal peace-time unit community, part of the wider civilian community in Hermitage.
Throughout this time one building has remained, virtually untouched in its external format. The building now known as the Crabtree Lane Community Centre was one of the original American Hospital buildings.
The Crabtree Lane Community Centre was one of the original American Hospital buildings. It has stood the test of time and has been a regular meeting point for families of both Military and Civilian personnel living in the area. It has been a home to the Guides, Brownies, Scouts, Cubs, a Judo Club, Crafting, Mother and Toddlers, Crabtree Nursery, Model Railway Club, Gaming Workshop, Christmas parties, Easter gatherings, presentation evenings and a myriad of special events like birthdays, weddings and social occasions. The inside of the building has been decorated numerous times, normally by ‘self-help’ from the military families. The building has historical and architectural significance and should be considered of major interest to the residents of Hermitage and Curridge both for its original role in the WW2 camp, and for its continuing role as a surviving representative of the now vanished camp buildings.
HER Ref: MWB22673
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