Former 'L' Lines, Chiseldon Camp, Chiseldon, Swindon
Introduction
The photograph on this page of Former 'L' Lines, Chiseldon Camp, Chiseldon, Swindon by Brian Robert Marshall as part of the Geograph project.
The Geograph project started in 2005 with the aim of publishing, organising and preserving representative images for every square kilometre of Great Britain, Ireland and the Isle of Man.
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Former 'L' Lines, Chiseldon Camp, Chiseldon, Swindon
Image: © Brian Robert Marshall Taken: 9 May 2014
The field in view is currently pasture. It is situated between an old railway trackbed out of view behind the hedge on the right, and the A346 road to Burbage, south of Marlborough. In 1917 the field was the location of a specialist hospital for the treatment of soldiers who had contracted conditions then collectively called venereal disease (VD) and now known as sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The sufferers probably called them other things. Treatment in those pre-penicillin days was somewhat hit or miss. One measure involved the use of arsenic injections until it was found that the cure tended to be fatal. Locally 'L' Lines was known as the 'bad boys' camp'. Although it was supposed to be secure there were incidents of soldiers getting out and visiting the brothels of Swindon. More about it here http://www.swindonweb.com/?m=8&s=116&ss=763&c=2501&t=Chiseldon+Camp and here http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-25040585
Images are licensed for reuse under creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0
Image Location
Latitude
51.496104
Longitude
-1.718623