Thought for the Week with Peter Grace, Cirencester Corps of The Salvation Army Consulting notes on WW11 recently, I was reminded of another time in Cirencester, when normal life was disrupted and people’s lives at risk. It must also have been very interesting, with the many military bases in the area and the influx of strangers. There were many Americans, serving in the 14 military hospitals administered from Stratton House. These included Dr Dwight Harken working mainly at Stowell Park Hospital. He was one of those who used his skills to attempt pioneering medical procedures to revolutionise heart surgery. During the invasion of Northern Europe his courage and skill saved hundreds of lives and the methods he perfected and taught, many thousands since.