The First World War played a significant role in the development and history of the Ontario Hospital Whitby. By 1917, a large number of soldiers were returning home with severe injuries that required long-term care.

Unfortunately, many hospitals in the area were not equipped to handle the number of injured soldiers, nor could they provide the psychological and/or physical treatment necessary for full recovery. In order to compensate for this lack of resources, the federal government issued the Military Hospitals Commission. In particular, the commission provided for the leasing of the cottages and support buildings at Ontario Hospital, Whitby in order to convalesce wounded soldiers. At the newly repurposed convalescent hospital, soldiers received personalized medical treatment and during recovery they enjoyed the idyllic setting of the shores of Lake Ontario. Soldiers participated in a number of recreational activities available at the hospital.

It is estimated that, between 1917-1919, 3000 soldiers received some kind of treatment at the hospital at Whitby. During this period, the site was temporarily renamed to Ontario Military Convalescent Hospital. By 4 July 1919, all soldiers had completed their recovery and in October the hospital was reopened as a psychiatric facility.

Click on the link at left to see more images from the Ontario Military Convalescent Hospital period!