Destruction of a colonial building.
Sad to report that, at this time, another part of Vacoas history is being demolished. This old colonial building was the military HMS Mauritius hospital and later became the civilian ENT (ears, nose and throat) hospital. The contractors are now stripping the buildings of all the wooden beams and supports. I have been informed that the contractor is reselling all the good wooden beams.
Pity that the main building could not be saved for historical reasons. The site will now make way for a new modern ENT hospital which was made possible by generous Indian government grants.
Before and after (click on a photo to enlarge).
Original hospital
I was born there in 57 to the British forces
Anna Reding
My husband Lt. Cdr. Malcolm Reding was stationed at HMS 1964-66. We lived in one of the lovely wooden houses named Gordon House nearby the Hostpital where our two sons Christopher and Jonathan were born.There was one other similar house opposite and I think they were built in the 1800’s. Returning for holidays in the ’80s I was so glad to see the 2 houses were then privately owned and I hope, cherished.
So sorry to see the past gone. Served/based there in 1969/70. We made good use of the hospital back then from many sports injuries….
Let’s hope the new hospital will bring much more to the local population.
The new modern ENT hospital is currently being used as the specialised hospital for Covid patients, so a great service for the population. I have seen many past photos of the original and when H.M. the Queen visited, the site bears much history.
By chance I have caught up with this blog/thread. Brough back good memories as I served there -1969/70. Some of us made good use of the place following some football/hockey matches.
Shame it has gone.
Am sure the new hospital will be well used and will have a better future.
With time the old Vacoas structures are being demolished. Apart from the old HMS hospital the famous Duhny store has gone too as did the old Vacoas market building. Not many structures left from your days except for some on the military site, now SMF. Thanks for sharing and dropping by my blog.
Always sad to see historical buildings and their memories demolished. Would have been great to be preserved.
How sad….. I was born there in 1961 when my father was Special Mobile Forces. Luckily I saw it (and our old house) when returning in 2010.
I was born there in August 1966 and revisited in 2002 and 2016 when I saw the hospital. My Dad Bob Hookway was based there between 1964/5 to July 1967
Glad that you had the opportunity of seeing the original HMS hospital. Sadly it has gone, it was a part of Vacoas history. However, today there stands a new and modern ENT hospital for the population which is at this time being used exclusively to treat Covid-19 positive patients with success. Thanks for dropping by, best wishes for a peaceful Christmas.
I was born there…sad to see it go. I was hoping to visit one day when I’d saved enough sheckles!
Yes sad to see old colonial buildings go. A new hospital is almost finished. Some structure of the old building is being kept. I will take photos when it is opened.
Seeing the photos brought back great memories of an idyllic childhood whilst living in Mauritius for me and my brother and two sisters. Dad used to be the dentist there between 72 and 74. I’ve still got the scars on my forearm from the Mantoux tuberculin skin test at that hospital when one of the local people working at the hospital were diagnosed with TB.
I was born there in jan 1966 was lucky enough to visit on my honeymoon in 2016 and had my dad with me who was stationed there 64to 66
I was stationed in HMS from March 1966 to May 1968. I married a Maurucienne in L’eclise St Helene, curepipe, and my daughter was born in The RN Hospital in 1967. I am very surprised and i guess somewhat upset,to see that it has been demolished. Je me toujours parle le patois . Mike Huggett
Sad indeed, the changing face of Vacoas.
Also agree to say how sad that history is being demolished.
In fact we need more hospitals in the U.K., so it would have been nice to import this hospital – just a thought.
Also an NHS system here copied on the British system. The only difference is that here they benefit from receiving grants from several countries.
Sorry to hear that, Mike. You know how I feel about history being erased. But I’m sure you must need the new hospital, right?
Yes indeed a new specialized hospital is required for the population. However, they could have kept the old building and transformed it into a museum. It is next to the SMF (Special Mobile Force) military area and it could have been renovated to house all those years of history, British Royal Navy and now SMF. I believe it is an opportunity missed but hey I have no control on the government budgets.
So sad to see such a beautiful old building disappear. So many good and sad memories. Johnathon was born and died there
The family was in HMS 1973 to 1975;
Really..such a pity 🙁
I agree, if they had the budget it could have been used as a museum for the history of HMS Mauritius and the SMF.