I am researching the military hospital at Jalapahar, Darjeeling in India. Does anybody have any information as to when it opened and where any admission records might be or any information at all.

Thanks

Dominic.

hi i am researching my great great uncle who died in that part of the world during the war, here is the only info i have, i dont know how he died whether it was action or disease. but take a look thanks rob....
Name: BEECHAM, HERBERT
Initials: H
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Lincolnshire Regiment
Unit Text: 1st Garrison Bn.
Date of Death: 23/07/1916
Service No: 19432
Additional information: Buried in Katapahar New Cemetery, Jalapahar.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Face 9.
Memorial: MADRAS 1914-1918 WAR MEMORIAL, CHENNAI

Rob

Thanks for that very useful. I'd nearly forgotten about that thread!

Cheers
Dominic

Dom

Just an idea. Is it possible that the opening of the hospital coincided with the building of the Military Cantonment at Darjeeling or is this a separate hospital ?

Dave

Dave

From my googling I think you are right-but information is fairly sparse: here are a couple of snippets:

Jalapahar
The military barracks and depot were built on hill-sides 7,250 ft above sea level. After a stimulating walk one reaches the parade ground and a church to cater to the spiritual needs of the men stationed in the barracks. The depot supplies the other necessities. Offering a splendid view of the snows is Bryanstone. Built in 1848, it was the residence of two great Orientalists and Indologists, Sir J.D. Hooker and Brian Hodgson

Development of Darjeeling Town :

On the 1st February 1835 by a deed of grant by the King of Sikkim. Darjeeling was ceded to the East India Company. At the onset the population consisted only of a few hundreds of people. With the establishment of a Sanatorium for ailing British soldiers, purchase of land by Europeans for residential purpose, opening up of barracks for soldiers and bazaars, population grew upto 10,000 in the following 50 years. When the tea gardens were being open out and the communication with the plains became easier with the construction of the Hill Cart road and Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, labourers poured in and a phenomenal growth of population resulted in 1901. Success of tea plantation, partition of Bengal, introduction of tourism and the resultant massive construction works ushered in more and more immigrants from the neighbouring countries and thereby almost doubling the population of Darjeeling in 1951 and by 1991 the town recorded a population of about 71.47 persons. The density figure changed from 1603 persons/km2 in 1901 to 6769 persons/km2 in 1991 with consequent change in percentage of increase by 322.

It does mention a sanatorium which I think must the one I'm interested in.

All the best
Dom.