Marjorie Constance Lucy Peat

Marjorie Constance Peat was born in Folkestone in 1896. According to the 1901 Census, her family lived at Cranmer, a substantial 25 roomed house in Mitcham which was on the site of the present Wilson Hospital. Her father, James Ernest Peat was recorded as the head of the household, and his wife Constance and son James completed the family.

Also living at the property was her uncle, Alfred Edward Peat and his family, wife Ellen, daughter Edith and son Edward. The brothers’ wives, Constance and Ellen were sisters and their grandfather was James Hartley, one of the founding directors of the P&O shipping line. As would be expected for such a large property, the rest of the household included a Cook, Nurse, Ladies Maid and Housekeeper.

James and Alfred, together with another brother Arthur, were Colonial Brokers and partners in a Company named Lewis & Peat. By the time of the 1911 census, Alfred was recorded as the Head of the Household, possibly because James was on business overseas, where the firm had tea and rubber plantations. Their brother Arthur was now recorded as living at the property.

On 19 February 1916 Marjorie was engaged as a Nurse with the Voluntary Aid Detachment. She worked full time at Gifford House Auxiliary Hospital, Roehampton, on a voluntary basis, although she most probably would have received expenses for board and lodging. Female members of Voluntary Aid Detachments were issued with uniform of a completely different style to that of the trained nurse. For those VADs of the British Red Cross Society engaged in nursing duties, working dresses were of light blue cotton and white aprons which were designed to offer practical protection rather than high fashion, with high round-necked bibs tucked under the collar, and long enough to cover the dress. According to Regulations, the VAD uniform was registered under the Defence of the Realm Act, and must not be worn except for work on behalf of the sick and wounded. Marjorie’s cousin Edith also worked at this hospital for a time in 1916. Marjorie continued to work at Gifford House after the war until February 1919. During her three years’ service, she completed an amazing 8020 hours of work.

At St. Lawrence Church, Morden, on 18 July 1920, Marjorie married Guy Meyrick Mallaby-Deely (2nd Baronet of Mitcham Court). His father Henry, (1st Baronet), was a Member of Parliament with the Conservative Party, and for a time was the Chairman of the Prince’s Golf Club in Mitcham. The couple had three children - the eldest was Sir Anthony Meyrick Mallaby-Deely, born in 1923, who became the 3rd Baronet. Lady Marjorie died in 1972 at the age of 76, while her husband Sir Guy died at the age of 48 in 1946, whilst the couple were living in Reigate.

Note: Marjorie’s cousin Edith was a Nurse with the Voluntary Aid Detachment, and her story is also recorded on this website.