Earl's Court Depot for Belgian Refugees.

After Germany invaded Belgium in 1914, refugees fled to Holland and across the channel into England. In October 1914, to deal with this major influx of refugees two Depots were opened in London, the first at Alexandra Place and the other at Earl's Court.

During the war it was estimated that over 100,000 Belgian refugees passed through the doors of Earl's Court. In a post war report about the Depot it was described as ‘a Belgium village in miniature, reflecting the daily life of an industrious people’.

This report in the British Nursing Journal dated October 23th 1914, (pages 332 & 333) describes (in the language of the time) the setting up and the organizing of the Depot during the first few weeks of its opening in 1914:-


"THE REFUGEE DEPOT AT EARL’S COURT.

The Local Government Board has done wisely in placing the organisation of the large Depots for Belgian Refugees at the Alexandra Palace, and at Earl’s Court Exhibition Buildings in the hands of the Metropolitan Asylums Board. The Board and its Medical Superintendents and Matrons are accustomed to deal with large numbers, and it takes first class organisers to introduce discipline and order (both of which are necessary for smooth working and comfort) amongst a heterogeneous crowd, more especially when it is composed of foreigners who do not understand a word of English, and who, after the harrowing experiences of the past weeks, have in a more or less dazed condition taken refuge in this country.

Down at Earl’s Court Dr. Bruce, Medical Superintendent of the Western Hospital, Fulham, and Miss L. A. Morgan, Matron of the Northern Hospital, Winchmore Hill, serene and smiling, are dealing with the problem, and bringing order out of chaos. On Wednesday evening last week the Exhibition closed, on Thursday morning the M.A.B. took possession and the same evening 400 refugees were admitted. On Sunday night over 1,700 slept there, and on Monday evening 500 more were expected. Imagine receiving, registering, classifying, and making arrangements for bathing, feeding, and sleeping this huge family, in an empty building. The bathing is done at public baths near by, and the able-bodied feed in a huge dining-room with rows upon rows of tables.

Of course, amongst such a number there are some, especially children, who need Hospital care, and a charming hospital has been arranged in the Garden Club. An oak panelled room with doors wide set on to the garden (where bright flowers are still blooming) and windows screened with fresh muslin curtains, makes an attractive ward. The brown tone of the walls is repeated in the soft coloured rugs on the beds, and the screens which harmonize with both, and the necessary touch of colour is given by the brightened flowers on the tables in the centre. In the cots are little Belgian children, many only babies, with pathetic dark eyes, and black hair, some of whom sit up in their beds and refuse to be comforted, and small wonder considering the strangeness of their surroundings, and that they have been a week on the way. In this ward also are girls, and beyond is one for men (men who lie thoroughly exhausted and tired out), needing sleep and food to enable them to face the battle of life once more.

Close by are the quarters of the Matron and nurses, who are assisted by many willing helpers from the Board’s hospitals in their off duty time.

The men sleep in the great amphitheatre. Tier upon tier, row upon row, one sees the mattresses and blankets, which at least provide warm and comfortable beds for the night till some more permanent home can be found for these poor people. Similar accommodation is provided for the women and children in the great halls.

One of the needs of the moment is for toys. Imagine a great family of children to keep happy and amused and nothing for them to play with. Only (lest some should read these words and hasten to dispatch boxes of toys) to them be sure to pay the carriage. Children’s clothes too are needed. These refugees have very few possessions, therefore let wardrobes and drawers be overhauled and all good and useful clothing which can be spared be sent to the Earl’s Court Depot at once."