Len Aged 5 - was sent to Queen's Road Workhouses
A pensioner sent to a workhouse in Croydon as a youngster is trying to locate others who had a similar experience to him.
Len Saunders was just five years old when he was made to work in the laundry at Queen's Road workhouse, feeding sheets into a mangle, as well as peeling potatoes and preparing food in the kitchens.
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The workhouse when opened in 1865 |
It is believed Len was at the Queen's Road workhouse between 1929 and 1940 and the 79 year old is now keen to trace others who had a similar experience. Len is being helped hi his search by a representative from Age Concern in Reading, where he now lives. Liz Woodhouse, development worker for Age Concern Reading, said: "Len was at the Queen's Road workhouse, or possibly the children's home cottages nearby, from 1929 to 1940. He could have even been there as early as 1926. "He remembers being in an infirmary when he had scarlet fever, where he was treated kindly. He did not want to return to the workhouse when he got better. "Len is now 79 years old and would like to talk to others who may have been in children's homes or workhouses." |
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The Workhouse take around 1920 |
The 10 acre Queen's Road workhouse site was opened in 1865 by the
Archbishop of Canterbury. The new site was built to deal with the
problems of overcrowding, ill health and poverty and to help ease the
burden on the Union workhouse in Duppas Hill, Old Town, which saw a
rising number of paupers coming through its doors.
The workhouse was originally opened for the lodging, maintaining and employment of the poor. Inhabitants worked long hours and suffered conditions which bordered on the inhumane with little food or comfort. When the Government abolished workhouses in 1930, the Queen's Road site was taken over by the County Borough of Croydon. It continued to perform the same functions as the workhouse but with a growing emphasis on the care of the elderly. It was severely damaged by bombing during World War Two and was taken over by the NHS in 1948, when it was renamed Queen's Hospital and became a geriatric hospital before closing in 1987. Fairview Homes was granted planning permission in April to build 360 new homes on the site. |
If anyone would like to get in touch with Len, was an occupant of the workhouse, or would like to share their experiences, write to Heritage at Croydon Guardian, 10 Pegasus Road, Croydon CRO 4RN.