Historical Information

There are remains of disused coal mines in a number of areas on Cannock Chase, including Brindley Heath.

The area has been used for many things including an RAF training camp which was set up in 1938 as home to the 6th Technical Training School. In 1957 the camp was used to house around 900 Hungarian refugees. The camp was then demolished in 1960. The area was also used as a tank training ground, leading to much soil disturbance.

Brindley Heath Military Hospital 1918 — Brindley Heath Military Hospital 1918

A military hospital was built on the heath during World War I. After the hospital was closed in the 1920s, local miners moved onto the site and dubbed it Brindley Village. It was finally demolished around 1951, and the occupants moved to Hednesford. The parish electoral ward for the southern part of Brindley Heath parish is also named Brindley Village.

Click on the photo to learn about the Legacy of the Great War on Cannock Chase

Click on the photo to listen to a BBC radio program on mental health provision during WW1 on Cannock Chase

There was also a POW camp at Flaxley Green near Rugeley where the foundations can still be seen to this day.

Click on the picture for information about West Cannock No.5 Colliery and the disaster that occurred there on 16 May 1933

The following images have been very kindly supplied by Trevor Warburton, Secretary to Friends of Cannock Chase. They show a selection of aspects of Rugeley Camp and Military Hospital, and are from the estate of Mr Arthur R. Lloyd who was a local postcard & postage stamp enthusiast.

If after viewing the photographs you have any comments or would like to know more about the Camps or locations, please do email the Parish Council as Trevor will be very pleased to provide additional information where he can.

Brindley Heath Military Hospital Entrance

Brindley heath Millitary Hospital Entrance

Church of England Men's Society Parade - Rugeley Camp

Kings Own Yorkshire Light InfantryKOYLI stayed at Rugeley Camp. Each Battalion seemed to have their own band for Sunday services and parades — Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
KOYLI stayed at Rugeley Camp. Each Battalion seemed to have their own band for Sunday services and parades

Rugeley Camp and TackerooThe railway line runs alongside Penkridge Bank Road and turns down Brindley Valley. You can see some wagons to one side which are thought to be a short siding next to the main track. — Rugeley Camp and Tackeroo
The railway line runs alongside Penkridge Bank Road and turns down Brindley Valley. You can see some wagons to one side which are thought to be a short siding next to the main track.

Workers on the Tackeroo. This photograph was probably part of a publicity shoot when the line was opened because you can see a lady and two children at the front. Troops did not ride the carriages but the workers did, which meant a cut in pay a… — Workers on the Tackeroo.
This photograph was probably part of a publicity shoot when the line was opened because you can see a lady and two children at the front. Troops did not ride the carriages but the workers did, which meant a cut in pay as they used to get an allowance to walk to work. This caused a short 'strike' by the workers until they realised they were being paid more than the troops who were getting shot at!

This is an image of a recent scan of Cannock Chase, showing the junction of Marquis Drive with Penkridge Bank Road. The black 'blob' is the Whitehouse building.

Brindley Heath Parish Council

Historical Information