Belgian refugees were encouraged to ‘embrace’ their temporary ‘home’ land, but in 1914 the Official Committee of Belgians were evidently worried that too much ‘embracing’ and assimilation was taking place. Therefore they decided to publish a handbook of ‘suggestions and advice’ to the refugees in Britain. They warned the refugees ‘not (to) accentuate the difference between their customs and those of the British, but they stressed that:
“Every Belgian must be a good patriot….. Social and family life in Belgium is marked by friendliness, a good-natured want of ceremony, and a strict adherence to old-established habits. No one need depart from these; indeed nothing is more delightful than to find the characteristic life of Belgium reproduced in Great Britain."
Most of these characteristics of Belgian life could be found at the Earls Court Refugee Camp in London, where according to a post war report it was ‘a Belgium village in miniature, reflecting the daily life of an industrious people’. In fact, during the war over 100,000 people passed through its doors.
Showing posts with label Belgian Refugees. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Belgian Refugees. Show all posts
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Elizabeth Macdonald
Elizabeth Macdonald (nee Morgan) along with Dr. Bruce, Medical Superintendent of the Western Hospital, Fulham, helped establish the Belgian Refugee Depot at Earl’s Court in October 1914. She was awarded the ‘Medaille de la Reine Elizabeth’ for her humanitarian work.
She died in 1951, the British Nursing Journal honoured her with the following obituary in May 1951, page 45.
“AFTER MANY MONTHS OF ILLNESS, patiently borne, Elizabeth Macdonald (nee Morgan), widow of the late Rev. D. Macdonald, passed to her rest on February 14th, 1951.
She received her training at Marylebone Infirmary, London, and after some administrative experience at the London Fever Hospital, was appointed Matron of the Northern Hospital, Winchmore Hill, London, N., an office she held with distinction for more than twenty years, and which she relinquished in 1917, on her marriage to the Rev. Duncan Macdonald, then Minister of the Established Church of Scotland, at Swinton, Berwickshire.
Elizabeth Macdonald was an able supporter of the Scheme, inaugurated in 1907, for State recognition of Fever Nurses, and ever an eager worker, she became the first Secretary of this progressive movement for the benefit of the sick; burning much midnight oil in this cause.
In 1914, in recognition of her splendid work, when she was deputed, in the First World War, to take office in an organizing capacity at the Belgian Refugee Camp at Earls Court, she received from the late King Albert of the Belgians, the Queen Elisabeth Medal (Médaille de la Reine Elizabeth) and one hundred pounds.
In her last and surprisingly legible letter, written only a few weeks before her death, alluding to her impaired sight, crumpled hand, and the loss of many dear friends, but always looking for the bright side, she remarks :
She died in 1951, the British Nursing Journal honoured her with the following obituary in May 1951, page 45.
“AFTER MANY MONTHS OF ILLNESS, patiently borne, Elizabeth Macdonald (nee Morgan), widow of the late Rev. D. Macdonald, passed to her rest on February 14th, 1951.
She received her training at Marylebone Infirmary, London, and after some administrative experience at the London Fever Hospital, was appointed Matron of the Northern Hospital, Winchmore Hill, London, N., an office she held with distinction for more than twenty years, and which she relinquished in 1917, on her marriage to the Rev. Duncan Macdonald, then Minister of the Established Church of Scotland, at Swinton, Berwickshire.
Elizabeth Macdonald was an able supporter of the Scheme, inaugurated in 1907, for State recognition of Fever Nurses, and ever an eager worker, she became the first Secretary of this progressive movement for the benefit of the sick; burning much midnight oil in this cause.
In 1914, in recognition of her splendid work, when she was deputed, in the First World War, to take office in an organizing capacity at the Belgian Refugee Camp at Earls Court, she received from the late King Albert of the Belgians, the Queen Elisabeth Medal (Médaille de la Reine Elizabeth) and one hundred pounds.
In her last and surprisingly legible letter, written only a few weeks before her death, alluding to her impaired sight, crumpled hand, and the loss of many dear friends, but always looking for the bright side, she remarks :
“However, I’m very happy here, only lonely!” How sad for her who loved life and people!
It is a great consolation to know how grateful she was end how comforted by the care and kindness bestowed on her by the Matron and Staff of the beautiful Crail Nursing Home, Fife.
We who knew her feel deeply, that in the passing of Elizabeth Macdonald’s bright and courageous soul, the world, is, indeed, the poorer."
Belgian 1914-18 Médaille de la Reine Elizabeth ( Queen Elizabeth Medal).
Awarded for humanitarian war work.
Friday, May 09, 2008
Belgian Refugee removed into custody.
This article appeared in the Eastbourne Gazette on 30th August 1916. Belgian Refugees were allocated where possible to costal towns after their arrival in England, with many still staying in London. It can be read from this article that if Refugees caused undue problems where they were placed, they could be ‘sent’ to London (Earl’s Court in this case), where they would stay.
It may seem a bit harsh reading this from the 21st Century that 90 years ago, the poor man was expelled back to London for getting drunk twice, but there it is!
"Undesirable Belgian
At the Eastbourne Police Court yesterday (Tuesday) before Colonel Alexander Bowes Mein and Alderman H.W. Keay, a Belgian named Alphons Edmund Weeze, of the Refugee Camp, Earls Court, was charged with being in Eastbourne (a prohibited area) without the permission of the chief constable.
Police-constable Cooper, of the Registration Department, gave evidence to the effect that the man called at the Town Hall to see the Chief Constable whereupon he was taken into custody.
The Chief Constable stated that Weeze had previously lived in Eastbourne, but on two occasions was convicted of drunkenness, as the result of which he was expelled from the area as being undesirable. Recently the man wrote to him to ask forgiveness for his past misdeeds and to prevail if possible upon him (the Chief Constable) to allow him to remain in Eastbourne.
Defendant was fined £1, and failing to pay, was removed into custody."
It may seem a bit harsh reading this from the 21st Century that 90 years ago, the poor man was expelled back to London for getting drunk twice, but there it is!
"Undesirable Belgian
At the Eastbourne Police Court yesterday (Tuesday) before Colonel Alexander Bowes Mein and Alderman H.W. Keay, a Belgian named Alphons Edmund Weeze, of the Refugee Camp, Earls Court, was charged with being in Eastbourne (a prohibited area) without the permission of the chief constable.
Police-constable Cooper, of the Registration Department, gave evidence to the effect that the man called at the Town Hall to see the Chief Constable whereupon he was taken into custody.
The Chief Constable stated that Weeze had previously lived in Eastbourne, but on two occasions was convicted of drunkenness, as the result of which he was expelled from the area as being undesirable. Recently the man wrote to him to ask forgiveness for his past misdeeds and to prevail if possible upon him (the Chief Constable) to allow him to remain in Eastbourne.
Defendant was fined £1, and failing to pay, was removed into custody."
Thursday, May 08, 2008
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."
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."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)