Ullenwood Court, Gloucestershire Former Second World War camp

Oxford Archaeology has undertaken historic building recording works at a former Second
World War hospital at Ullenwood, Gloucestershire prior to the removal of the buildings to
enable the residential redevelopment of the site by Churcham Homes. In total there are 31
structures surviving at the site, which although not listed, are of local heritage interest. These
were recorded to Historic England level 1‐2 in accordance with the guidelines (2016).
The military hospital at Ullenwood was constructed for the American services as part of
Operation Bolero, the huge buildup of American troops, principally in southern England, in
preparation for the invasion of Europe. Hospitals, such as the one at Ullenwood, played an
important role in the vast logistical build‐up towards D‐Day. The site continued in use after
the Second World War which resulted in the survival of the structures, but also meant that
their structural fabric was impacted to varying extents to facilitate their secondary use.
Only half of the buildings from the main complex survive at Ullenwood, the majority of these
are long linear structures which are thought to have been used as hospital wards. Generally,
these all follow the same standard wartime construction, although there are some variations
for example in the length of the structures. There are also three brick‐built buildings, typical
of the wartime period, which are thought to have been used for functions such as plant or
laundry.
The buildings are of limited architectural merit, and are not of conventional heritage
significance but they are the type of structure which was constructed in huge numbers but
which are now very rarely recorded prior to demolition. The recording will help in developing
a wider understanding and typology of such buildings constructed at camps throughout the
country