The Ropner Convalescent Home was built in the late 19th century and during the First World War was used as a VAD (Voluntary Aid Detachment) Hospital. In the 1950's a porch extension was built onto the side of the building, which itself was built as a Second world War memorial. A plaque is known to have been located in the porch but this is presumed to have been lost when some of the building was demolished prior to conversion to the flats which now occupy the site. A more traditional war memorial cross is located in the churchyard of St. Lawrence's Church which carries dedications to those of the parish who served and fell in the Great War, WW2 and later conflicts including the Iraq war of 2003.

During the Second World War RAF Middleton St. George was an important aircraft base, landing site and military installation. A number of WW2 features such as equipment storage units, water tanks and shelters can still be found around the site which is now used as Durham Tees Valley International Airport.