The Frewing 46th General Hospital image collection consists of photographs depicting the people and scenery of the Army hospital on bases in Kansas and France in the 1940s. In addition to photographs, the collection contains two picture-postcards and a souvenir card. This collection offers a glimpse into the lives of the people working in and around the 46th General Hospital, as well as some of their leisure activities, during World War II.
The photographs depict primarily leisurely activities in both Kansas and France, such as swimming, playing baseball, riding motorcycles, driving, and hiking. Other photographs show the scenery of churches, narrow streets, water fountains, hillsides, and rivers -- many presumably taken in Southern France where the hospital was located in 1944. A small portion include photographs from the Brévent cable car in Chamonix Mont-Blanc in the French Alps, as well as postcards and a souvenir card with dried Edelweiss flowers from this location.
Dr. H. Leslie Frewing served as a surgeon with the 46th General Hospital and likely took most, if not all, of the pictures in this collection himself. After World War II, Frewing settled with his family in Vancouver, Washington, and became one of the four founders of The Vancouver Clinic before continuing medical work abroad.
During World War I, the 46th General Hospital had been known as Base Hospital No. 46; it remained dormant in the decades between conflicts. The hospital was directed to begin preparations to reactivate on March 11, 1940, by Major James C. Magee, who was Surgeon General of the United States at the time. Dr. John Guy Strohm, depicted in at least one of the photographs in this collection, served as the Medical Reserve Unit Director as plans were being organized, and then became commanding officer once the hospital was mobilized on July 15, 1942. Lieutenant Dean Seabrook is also pictured in at least one photograph in the collection. Part of the planning involved procurement of medical providers, including nurses, before joining the unit at Fort Riley in Kansas. The 46th General Hospital first moved to North Africa on September 2, 1943, before shifting to Southern France in August 1944.
There are no restrictions on access. This collection is open to the public.
OHSU Historical Collections & Archives (HC&A) is the owner of the original materials and digitized images in our collections, however, the collection may contain materials for which copyright is not held. Patrons are responsible for determining the appropriate use or reuse of materials. Consult with HC&A to determine if we can provide permission for use.
Frewing 46th General Hospital image collection, Collection Number 2016-009, Oregon Health & Science University, Historical Collections & Archives
This material was donated by Dr. Frewing's son, John Frewing.
Digitized copies of the photographs are available in