Aylesfield House

Military site

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Detailed History

Aylesfield House was easily the most modern building in the USAAF Rest Home programme. A little over 2 miles north of Alton, Hampshire, it had been completed in the latter part of the 1930s. With its rural location and extensive grounds, it was ideally suited to its wartime role.

For USAAF combat air crews in the UK, home leave was impossible. So the doctors responsible for their well-being believed the next best thing would be Rest Homes, using the tranquillity, comfort and freedom from military routine achievable at English country houses or hotels.

Aircrew could, at least once during their tour, come for a week away from the horrors of war. After which it was hoped they would return to their units, refreshed.

On arrival, they were provided with civilian clothes. Uniforms only appeared for the evening dinner. Air Service Command supplied an administrative commanding officer, an adjutant and enlisted helpers. A Medical Officer, rotated each week from operational units, provided any necessary emergency care or medical advice.

American Red Cross girls acted as hostesses, supervising the recreation and dining. The American Red Cross also employed and managed the civilian staff needed to run the house and maintain the grounds.

Aylesfield House joined the programme on 15th March 1944. It was set up to accommodate 25 officers and was allocated to the 3rd Bomb Division.

After the war it reverted to being a private house and that is how it remains.

Revisions

Date
ContributorMikeO
Changes
Sources

Report to the Surgeon, HQ Eighth Air Force dated 11 Dec 1944; 'Flak' Houses Then and Now, Thomas, After the Battle