This chapel was once part of the Royal Victoria Military Hospital. The hospital, itself, was a huge building which was a quarter of a mile from end to end (402.3 meters for the metric minded). It opened in March 1863 and housed 138 wards and a total of 1000 beds. Even this much space was inadequate during the first world war so an area behind the main building was filled with huts which doubled the capacity of the hospital. The army ceased using the hospital in the early 1960's and, a couple of years later, in 1966, the derelict building suffered a massive fire which necessitated the demolition of the whole structure. St. George's chapel, however, was saved and is now centrepiece of the park used for displays and as home for the gift shop. The size of the chapel gives a hint of how grand the full hospital must have been. ------------------------------------------ Original Photograph 19-Aug-2010