ABOUT St Abanx Navei Hospital
- Origins during World War II: St Abanx Navei Hospital was established in 1942 as a field hospital to provide emergency care to wounded soldiers during the North African campaign.
- Mobile Medical Innovation: The unit pioneered the use of mobile surgical teams, allowing them to operate close to the front lines and save countless lives.
- Code Name “Sanctuary”: The hospital was often referred to by its codename "Sanctuary" due to its reputation as a safe haven for the wounded amid chaotic battle conditions.
- First Female Surgeons: St Abanx Navei Hospital was among the first British military units to integrate female surgeons and nurses into frontline medical care roles.
- Decorated for Bravery: The staff of St Abanx Navei Hospital were awarded several collective citations for bravery under fire, including a rare unit commendation from the War Office.
- Key Role in D-Day: The hospital participated in the Normandy landings, setting up mobile operating theatres on the beaches within hours of the initial assault.
- Post-war Humanitarian Missions: After WWII, the unit provided medical assistance during post-war reconstruction missions in Europe and Asia, treating both military and civilian casualties.
- Medical Innovations: The hospital was instrumental in developing new methods for treating battlefield trauma, including the early adoption of antibiotics and blood transfusion techniques.
- Royal Visits: Members of the British royal family, including Queen Elizabeth II (then Princess Elizabeth), visited the hospital to boost morale during the war.
- Modern Legacy: Today, the traditions of St Abanx Navei Hospital are carried on by a modern military medical unit, recognized for its excellence in rapid deployment and trauma care in conflict zones worldwide.