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Green Hall in Belper used to be the family home of the Strutts. The Strutts were famous for bringing the cotton industry and mills to the town.

During the second week of the war, work began on converting Green Hall to a medical centre – the remaining Strutt family were apparently keen to do their bit.

There were 40 hospital beds in the hall, during the conflict four thousand men came through it. A matron had four trained nurses working under her.

In the 1950s the hall was demolished. After decades of uncertainty a pub and other shop units were put there.

Adrian Farmer is the current heritage co-ordinator of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site of which the Strutts legacy and Green Hall is very much a part.

Location: Belper, Derbyshire DE56 1QA
Image: Green Hall, courtesy of Adrian Farmer