Research Forum

Rescue home & P.A.C. HOSPITAL
published by on Sun, 15/05/2016 - 19:22

Hi,
I recently found out that during WW2 my mother entered a rescue home at Weston-super-Mare and was transferred to a P.A.C. hospital for her confinement.
Could anyone shed some light on this. Do they still exist and if so are there any records still available.
She was only a young girl in her mid to late teens so it would be great to find out why this happened.
Any help would be much appreciated.

Comments ..

Submitted by Pat Hase on Sat, 21/05/2016 - 17:32

I have recently been told by member David Tyler, who has been researching Evacuees in Weston - A folder of his findings can be seen in Weston Library - that the Allandale Convalescent Home at 65/66, Beach Road was designated for the treatment of evacuees and many women gave birth there.

There is an account in the first births in the Weston Mercury of October 1939 which also contains:

"The Allandale Maternity Home was open for inspection last week when members of the Maternity and Child Welfare Committee viewed the premises which have been placed at the disposal of evacuee mothers"

Is it possible that she could have been evacuated to Weston?

Submitted by on Sun, 22/05/2016 - 10:44

Hi Pat,
Thanks for your reply. I'm unsure if my mum would have been evacuated as s I thought only kids from the cities were evacuated.
I live in the North East of England so due to work commitments etc will find it difficult to visit Weston library in the near future.
Is there a possibility that someone could have a look at the records for me for a research charge?
My mothers full name was Stella Benita Clarke which is a quite distinctive name.
Thanks for your help on this matter.

Submitted by on Fri, 23/12/2016 - 18:46

Hi Pat,
Would it possible if someone could search through David Tyler's research which is in Weston Library? I have hit a brick wall on this. My mothers name was Stella Benita Clarke.

Thank you

Submitted by Pat Hase on Fri, 23/12/2016 - 21:39

Our volunteers will not be in Weston Library until Jan 7th.

You say that she was confined in a Weston Hospital - do you have the birth certificate for this child? There is a birth registered of a Julia M CLARKE in the June qrt of 1944 in the Weston Registration District with the mother's maiden name of CLARKE - could this be the birth you are looking for? If so the certificate should give the actual place of birth and the residential address of the mother when the birth was registered which may answer your questions.

Submitted by on Mon, 30/05/2016 - 8:51

My Father and his family were evacuated to Weston in 1941. Following the bombing of the factory they worked at Royal Park Royal London. The company Varley Pumps and Engineering set up their machinery in Grove Park Garage which was requisitioned by the Ministry. Much to the annoyance of the garage owner. My Cousin Stephen Frank Mathewson was born in Severn Croft Nursing home on Beach Rd 1st March 1945. Father set a machine for a young girl Dulcie Higgins, eventually love blossomed and they were married at the the Parish church of St Johns 25th August 1945. I now live in the family home.

Submitted by on Mon, 30/05/2016 - 17:26

Hi Nigel,
Thanks for replying.
Does Severn Croft Nursing home still exist? Are there any records available dating back to 1941?
I have information that my mum entered a rescue home before being admitted to a P.A.C. hospital, could Severn Croft be the hospital mentioned.
Thanks

Submitted by on Mon, 30/05/2016 - 21:21

I think it has been demolished and redeveloped in recent years. In my 1964 Kelly's directory it lists 64 Beach Rd as Salvation Army Home for Elderly Persons and 65 & 66 Allandale, Convalescent home (National Coal Board. I will look into it further.