BMH Iserlohn

I was born in BMH Iserlohn in 1960 and visited last year, on my birthday, for the first time since I was born. The hospital is now divided between a business college and a boarding school. The caretaker allowed me to have a good look around. I was wondering if anyone remembers exactly where the maternity unit was in those days? I would also be interested if anyone could confirm that the Canadian flag flew alongside the British flag outside the building.

Almost certainly the Canadian Flag would have been flown in your time, the hospital provided back up medical facilities to the Canadian Brigade based in nearby Hemer, Soest and Werl and there were Canadian staff based in the BMH

Steve Lock will doubtless confirm when he next calls by.

When i was posted to BMH Iserlohn from BMH Berlin we had a Candian Corporal Lab Technician in our Path Lab where I worked and we had teh Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry around the area -- I went to the Canadian Maple Leaf Store and bought a Braun Hobby electronic flash for £14 when they were £ 39 in England because of all the Taxes !  I first tasted 'Peanut Butter' in Iserlohn as we had Canadian rations in the Cookhouse !

Gertrud Selle February 18, 1930 from Iserlohn Germany NRW Does anyone know anything? thanks Thomas Schenkel

nlivingstone60 wrote:

I was born in BMH Iserlohn in 1960 and visited last year, on my birthday, for the first time since I was born. The hospital is now divided between a business college and a boarding school. The caretaker allowed me to have a good look around. I was wondering if anyone remembers exactly where the maternity unit was in those days? I would also be interested if anyone could confirm that the Canadian flag flew alongside the British flag outside the building.

I have a friend here in Peachland whose wife was a civilian nurse in 'C' Block during his tour. She would know, and I'll let you know when I speak to them.

nlivingstone60 wrote:

I was born in BMH Iserlohn in 1960 and visited last year, on my birthday, for the first time since I was born. The hospital is now divided between a business college and a boarding school. The caretaker allowed me to have a good look around. I was wondering if anyone remembers exactly where the maternity unit was in those days? I would also be interested if anyone could confirm that the Canadian flag flew alongside the British flag outside the building.

It's me again, and I just realized you asked this question in 2014. Oh well, better late than never.

I spoke to Julie, and unfortunately she can't answer your question because she never worked in maternity. She spent her time in the Families and Officers' Ward and also Neurological Ward, and can't remember exactly where the maternity ward was located. She thinks it may have been in 'C' Block; however she remembers it wasn't an exclusively Canadian ward as a lot of British wives were also there so it could have been anywhere in the hospital.

Hopefully, there are some former RAMC/RCAMC types who may read this and can answer your question, assuming you haven't already received the answer over the past six years. I was only at BMH Iserlohn once. That was to help out with an emergency blood transfusion for which I discovered to my delight that the British Army had a very civilized custom of offering a beer (Iserlohner Pils) after the blood was drawn. A great improvement over coffee or tea and a biscuit.

Happy Times!

My eldest son was born in BMH Iserlohn in 1967, if memory serves the Maternity ward was the third building along on the right hand side almost opposite the NAAFI. I can't remember if the Canadian flag was flown but I am sure that as a matter of courtesy it would have been.