Convalescent Homes
As number of wartime casualties increased, a number of private homes were requisitioned for use as military hospitals. Morden = The Grange, large property off Central Rd and Morden Hall – converted on instructions of owner Gilliat Edward Hatfeild. Patients allowed access to house and gardens. Convalescent soldiers could enjoy punt rides through Wandle Watermeads – prov care for large number of injured from GB Colonies and Commonwealth nations. Blue uniform and red tie – washable and cheap to produce, easily identifiable – meant to deter from drunken behaviour, desertion or AWOL instances.
Holborn Union Workhouse used as military hospital 1916 - 19
Catherine Gladstone Home.
Built 1864 Rvensbury Park House = home to Rail engineer George Parker Bidder.
- 1900 transferred to Cath G Convalescent Home, name dafter founder – wife of lIb politician. During Great War this sizeable property was a convalescent home for wounded troops
( later nursing home for women and children. )
The Catherine Gladstone Home, Ravensbury Park,
Mitcham, c.1922.
Built in 1864, Ravensbury Park House was home to the family of Rail Engineer, George Parker Bidder, notably his eldest son, GPB jnr. Following legal watngles after GPB jnrs death – much of estate = broken up. This property – 1900/1 converted to form the Catherine Gladstone Convalescent Home for women and children, ( named after its founder, the wife of Liberal Prime Minister, William Ewart Gladstone. ) During the First World War, the building was added to the list of military hospitals operating in the Merton area. It remained in use as a convalescent home for women and children during the interwar years.- annexe of London Hospital. Demo. After bomb damage 1940s and site used for housing on Wandle Rd.
The Grange, off Central Road
Like Morden Hall, the Grange, ( previously known as Steel Hawes, ) was owned by Gilliat Edward Hatfeild. In 1915, it was converted into a military hospital, with 34 beds. Here they could benefit from regular nursing, a special invalid diet, gentle exercise and fresh air.
( The grounds and the veranda to the rear of the Grange frequently housed day-beds, where patients could rest in the sun.)
During the post-war era, the building became a nursing home, which finally closed in 1964.
The Grange subsequently fell into disrepair and remained vacant for a number of years ( apart from temporary occupation by squatters. ) The building was later refurbished and until recently, housed offices belonging to Courts Ltd.
Morden Hall, pictured c.1950.
Between 1554 and 1872, the manor of Morden belonged to the Garths. ( Richard Garth I was a senior clerk in the Chancery. ) Initially the family occupied a newly-built manor house called Growtes, which stood near the current site of Morden Lodge.
However during the late eighteenth century they built Morden Hall, then known as Moorden Place. At this stage in its history the house was a fine symmetrical building, with a projecting central bay on its northern face. The rear of the building consisted of two sizeable wings linked by a colonnade. The house was encircled by landscaped grounds and a moat – fed by water from the Wandle. The Garths owned the property until 1872; it was then leased to a variety of tenants. These included ( 1782- 92) Thomas Sainsbury, Lord Mayor London and ( 1796 – 1816 ) Sir Robert Burnett, Sheriff of London & Middlesex and co-founder of the Vauxhall Distillery. )
From 1830 to 1870, the house was leased to the White family and used as a boarding academy for the sons of gentlemen.The principal schoolmaster was Reverend John White, however by 1841, he was sharing this role with his son, Thomas. They had an initial staff of three assistants, plus five servants.However this number had grown by 1850. In its heyday, the school consisted of five classes, with 73 pupils, ranging from seven to fifteen years of age.
In addition to the house itself, the property included a lawn and island meadow, separated by water; a main garden and kitchen garden ( divided in the same way; ) plus coach houses, stables, a brewhouse, cowhouse, granary, woodhouse, hothouse and greenhouse.
In 1872, Sir Richard Garth QC sold the manor of Morden to
Gilliat Hatfeild, who was leasing the adjoining snuff mill and owned extensive lands in Morden and Mitcham. Following the closure of the Morden Hall Academy, the building reverted to its original function as a family home. By this stage the Hall had been extended, a bell turret had been added ( just visible in the centre of the roof ) and the portico was enclosed. Under the ownership of Gilliat Hatfield further improvements were made, including the construction of an icehouse and the creation of a deer park
In 1906, Gilliat Hatfield died, leaving his Morden estate to his son, Gilliat Edward Hatfield. Following the outbreak of war in 1914,
Morden Hall was offered to the London Hospital as an annexe for
the care of military casualties. There was room for sixty-eight beds and patients benefited from the peaceful surroundings. They were granted ready access to the house and gardens and could even take punt-rides in the adjoining Watermeads.
During the Great War, the Hall was converted for use as a military hospital on the instructions of its owner, Gilliat Edward Hatfeild. Patients were allowed ready access to the house and gardens, including punt rides through the Wandle Watermeads. Mr.Hatfeild vacated the Hall and moved into the more modest Morden Cottage.
Following the death of Gilliat Edward Hatfeild in 1940, the Morden Hall estate was bequeathed to the National Trust. In 1942, the Hall was refurbished and used to house offices belonging to Merton & Morden Urban District Council . The building remained in local authority use until 1985. After a brief spell as a Teachers’ Centre, it was renovated and transferred to the Whitbread Brewery chain, for use as a restaurant and conference
centre.
Over the years, many generations of people have enjoyed the beauty and peaceful surroundings of Morden Hall Park. During the 1930s, the squire of Morden, Gilliat Edward Hatfield, staged regular parties for local schoolchildren. Still fondly remembered by many older residents, these joyful events featured picnics and outdoor games. A generous “grandfather” figure to many, Mr.Hatfeild was happy to drive groups of youngsters round the grounds in a little pony-trap, or pull-along cart.
During the 1950s and ‘60s, Morden Hall was the venue for an annual film stars garden party. Local people waited earnestly around the neighbouring roads, in the hope of glimpsing famous faces. Today, under the auspices of the National Trust, the park is used for the annual “Countryside Comes to Town” event, held over the May Bank Holiday.
The National Trust maintain the parkland and adjoining Watermeads using methods designed to safeguard the environment. A variety of walks, events and activities are also held throughout the year.
Morden Hall. The Hall was converted for use as a military hospital on the instructions of its owner, Gilliat Edward Hatfeild. ( He moved into Morden Cottage next to snuff mills. ) Patients were allowed ready access to the house and gardens. Here nurses join convalescent soldiers for a punt-ride through the Wandle Watermeads.
This group may well include troops from the British Colonies and the Commonwealth nations, including Australia. Injured servicemen wore a distinctive blue felt jacket and a red tie. Washable and cheap to produce, this uniform was easily identifiable and was meant to deter the wearer from indulging in drunken behaviour, or unauthorised absence, during breaks from the hospital. Postwar = annexe to London Hospital ( women and children ) – closed in 1941 following death of GE Hatfeild
The Grange, off Central Road
Like Morden Hall, the Grange, ( previously known as Steel Hawes, ) was owned by Gilliat Edward Hatfeild. In 1915, it was converted into a military hospital, with 34 beds. Here they could benefit from regular nursing, a special invalid diet, gentle exercise and fresh air.
( The grounds and the veranda to the rear of the Grange frequently housed day-beds, where patients could rest in the sun.)
During the post-war era, the building became a nursing home, which finally closed in 1964.
The Grange subsequently fell into disrepair and remained vacant for a number of years ( apart from temporary occupation by squatters. ) The building w