The Girls Village Home Barkingside, Essex really started with Mossford Lodge October 1873. Thomas soon realised a different way was needed. On the 9th June 1875 the first stone was laid for Myrtle cottage it is recorded as being completed, on the 9th July 1876 along with the first fourteen cottages that were officially  opened, they were Woodbine, Clapham, Honeysuckle, Jessamine, Cambridge, Lily, Hawthorn, Daisy, Billiter, Rose, Bluebell, Primrose and Forget-me-not. The cottages  were built at the cost of £520 each. The home then covered some 30 acres, 21 of which was grassland. The first Governors of the Girls Village Home were Mrs. George Solcau, with her husband Dr. Henry Solcau.

photo shows the Village gate circa 1890

Before we start looking further into Barkingside as a village home, let us look up Thomas Barnardo's right to have the Dr in front of his name and was to become one of the best known orphanages of the time.

Barnardo’s experiences from his preaching and selling of bibles and his exposure to other philanthropists, James Hudson Taylor, the British Protestant missionary who had led Thomas to choose a medical missionary career in China. With the help of his Dublin friends, Thomas gained introductions and registered as a medical student in 1866 at the prestigious London Hospital, now the Royal London Hospital, adjoining Whitechapel Road. Thomas had been in London only a few months when a cholera epidemic struck the Broad Street area in the East End. Overcrowding had lead to many households sharing one infected pump, and, not knowing the source of the disease, many died, the death toll was rising. Feeling the need to help, Thomas signed up for a rescue mission in the East End, helping those who's families had been devastated by the illness.

I could not find much information of his early years in London. We know Thomas found residence in Stepney, close to the hospital at 5 Bromley Street with a Mrs Johnson this would cause Thomas some small problem in later life. He continued with his religious activities at the expense of his studies. In his first year as a medical student, in November 1867, he held the first of his many fund-raising meetings, the success of which enabled him to set up his own ragged school – The East End Juvenile Mission.

The images of children sleeping in the gutter and on rooftops upset Thomas so much that he decided to forgo his plans of work in China and dedicated himself to the destitute children of London. He walked the streets Whitechapel and brought them back to his Juvenile mission for destitute boys.

Thomas Barnardo's medical studies and status in the hospital suffered at the expense of all these extra-curricular activities. Fellow students complained of his religious enthusiasm and it took Barnardo almost a decade to take up and continue his medical career in 1876 so we know Thomas had no legal right to use doctor in front of is name. On searching we have found Thomas wrote a letter in 1875 to the University of Giessen to ask if there was any means by which he could be examined and acquire the right to put MD after his name. Thomas wrote:

I became a medical student at the London Hospital in 1867 and entered Durham University the previous September and registered as a medical student in June 1868. I duly attended all hospital practice, medical and surgical for four years. In July 1869 I passed the first professional examination in anatomy and physiology at the Royal College of Surgeons, England, and hope to go up for the final examination in April next. The reason why I have not proceeded to qualify fully before this is that in 1870 I abandoned the study of medicine and took up the philanthropic work of rescuing destitute children from the streets of our great cities, much of the same character of your own celebrated Dr. Wichern of Hamburg.

Although I did not proceed with my studies I am generally called Dr. Barnardo and enclose my card. I have never practised except when a student at the hospital, nor do I intend to practise medicine until I take an English diploma, which I am now reading for, and hope to gain in April next. But I am about to publish a book on our mission work among the destitute children, and wish if possible to have my name on the title page as T. J. Barnardo M. D., and therefore shall be glad to know if you can allow me to be examined by your University early in December as my book will be published about Christmas next. If it were necessary I could try to go over to your University for examination, but should be glad if that could be done by papers sent here. Kindly let me know the subjects of examination. I can give testimonials of my professional knowledge etc. by respectable English medical men, if you will kindly tell me what you require, and I enclose in proof of the truth of my first statements two certificates of registration, which please return when you reply. Also state the amount of fees required.

A postscript added the communication was a 'confidential one'. Nothing came of this initiative and the book mentioned in the letter was published in January 1876 under the title of Rescue the Perishing, simply as the report of the ninth year of the East End Juvenile Mission and the fifth year of the homes for reclaiming destitute children of both sexes

Thomas then spent some four months studying at the Royal College of Surgeons, which enabled him to pass  his diploma between March and April of 1876 and to qualify as a licenciate of the college; at the same time he obtained a certificate as an accredited accoucheur (a male midwife). The strain and worry of the past four months had told on his highly-strung constitution. But he had achieved his objective and on his return to London in April he registered as a medical practitioner. Three years later on the 16th April 1879 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh. So from the information found did  Thomas have the right to be called Dr. Thomas Barnardo? Some say as he did not complete his medical training he was still not legally allowed to use doctor before his name. We know on the 15th November of 1877 the name Dr. Barnardo's Homes is chosen as the name of the organisation with Dr. Thomas John Barnardo as the Hon Director. One other fact Thomas was using the title doctor back in November of 1866 as per his letter to the prime minister of the day Disraeli.

How did The Girls Village Home come to be at Barkingside. For this we must look at Barkingside the early years with the gift of Mossford Lodge as a wedding present, that was on a fifteen year lease. How did Thomas get the money to pay for the rest of the land at Barkingside and the first cottage that kick started his plan for the Girls Village Home. click here to read more >>>> That Thomas called his Oxford trip.

In 1885 a news paper editor named W. T. Stead published articles that would at last raise the age of consent of girls to sixteen. Like Thomas he was taken before the courts, but unlike Thomas he served six months in jail for his troubles.

In 1886, Barnardo pioneered a new system for caring for children, Thomas believed that small families were the best way forward for a child to be brought up. He introduced the first fostering scheme in the world in which a child would be sent to live with a respectable family in Canada. This soon was a problem as there were many tales of children being abused by the families they were sent to live with, the children were no more than cheap slaves. When this first brought to the attention of Thomas he drew up a contract for the families to sign, the contracts stated that they must promise:

1. To bring up the said child carefully, kindly and in all respects as one of my family.
2. To provide the said child with proper food, clothing, washing, lodging and school fees.
3. To endeavour to train the said child in habits of truthfulness, obedience, personal cleanliness and industry.
4. To take care that the said child shall attend duly at church or chapel, and shall be taught the habit of daily prayer.
5. To take care that the said child, when of suitable age, shall attend regularly at a public elementary school.
6. To communicate with the lady and gentleman who has charge of the children in the district upon all matters affecting the welfare of the said child; and in the case of... illness to report it immediately ... and if necessary at once to call in the assistance of a medical man.
7. To forward to the Director for inspection all letters which may be received from relatives or friends of the said child, before allowing the same to be opened... and not to enter into any correspondence myself with any person who may claim relationship.
8. At all times, to permit the said child to be visited by any person appointed by the Director and to permit not visit from relatives or friends of the child without the Director's authorization.
9. To restore the said child to any person sent by the Director to receive it, on getting one fortnight's notice of removal or equivalent payment.

Many children emigrated to a new life in Canada, Australia, South Africa to name a few locations. I have been sent a song about Dr. Barnardo children leaving for a new life in Australia called Doors Ever Open Click here to hear the song The song was written by Stan Graham. If you would like to have a copy send me an email along with what you thought of the song so I may pass them to Stan.

On the 25th September 1888 The Evening News ran a report on Thomas Barnardo's work it was entitled a chat with Dr. Barnardo which contains quotes from Thomas Barnardo and lists the homes that were up and running click here to read more >>>>

In 1897 Thomas wrote about putting girls into Divisions depending on their behaviour and manor. The quality of young people must be failing, see what Thomas Barnardo wrote click here to read more >>>>

Founders day, how did it come about and when was the first Founders Day. From the Memoirs of the late Dr. Barnardo by Mrs. Barnardo and James Marchant who had been Thomas's best man, he wrote:

He kept in touch with the old boys and girls of his Homes. One of his helpers says:

"I think it was in one of the early '80s that Dr. Barnardo invited some of the old girls down to the Girls' Village Homes, and he gave the Meeting the name of Founder's Day. As the number of children who were placed out steadily grew, so Founder's Day came to be a little function. I have known of late years about one hundred old boys and girls paying a visit on that day. The boys would renew their acquaintance with their masters, have a game of cricket, talk amongst each other of old times, receive a handshake from Dr. Barnardo, and then go their ways after leaving their little offering to the funds. It came to be Dr. Barnardo's custom to ask his old boys and girls to come down to, Stepney on one day in the year, usually in July. On these occasions, he used to shake them by the hand, inquire kindly after their welfare. and give them a word of counsel or good cheer. Finally, Founder's Day became a recognized Institutional function. Our first formal Founder's Day was held in the year 1895. Associated with these days was our system of Prizes. It came to be our habit to distribute prizes for the length of service and good conduct on that occasion."

By the late 1890s the annual receipt of these Old Boys and Girls' 'love - gifts', as they came to be known, had become a recognised way of saying thank you to Barnardo's founder. So much so that when the organisation hit an all‑time low in its fundraising in the 1890s, Dr Barnardo in his own inimitable entrepreneurial style, hit on the idea of capitalising on the 'love‑gifts'. The annual report 1900 records 'In 1898 an attempt was made to gather up these scattered love‑gifts into a systematic contribution for the benefit of our Waifs and Strays.' Donations of not less than half‑a‑crown each (2s 6d ‑ £7 in today's money) were invited from all friends to be sent in on 8 July. The result was £1,924 pouring into the 'Children's Purse.'

The photo below shows Mossford Junior and infant school in the background. The foundation stone was laid 16th February 1893 The school was completed in 1896 and was officially opened on Founders Day 7th July  1897. The money needed to build the school was donated by Mr. & Mrs John Newberry in Memory of their son John Edger who was aged nine. The girls shown playing on the swings were in Dr Barnardo's care in 1929.

The celebration of Founder's Day every year on his birthday, 4 July, Dr Barnardo delighted in celebrating by giving little gifts to some of his great family of children a typically kindly gesture, which those children never forgot. In years to come, when they left the homes, many returned Dr Barnardo's generosity by sending him a small birthday gift of their own usually money or goods.

It is recorded that in 1900 this practical method of celebrating Dr Barnardo's birthday realised the grand total of £3,864 18s 5d Much of it single half‑crowns coming from former residents of the homes now earning their own living.
The snapshot taken of the Doctor with some of his cripple boys on the occasion of his last visit to his village Home on Founder's Day, July 15th 1905 when Joy and Larchfield cottages are opened. It was also reported just before this picture was taken he had chaffingly told one of his staff, Sister Fielding, who had boasted of her lovely babies, "they're not your babies. They're mine!" it was said she was dismissed some time later. The photo was taken on the main green and over Thomas' shoulder you can see his first cottage Myrtle.

By the time of our founders death on the 19th September 1905, there were nearly 8,000 children in his residential homes, more than 4,000 were boarded out, and 18,000 had been sent to Canada and Australia. A total of 60,000 had passed through the Barnardo portal. The Girls Village Home had grown to about 60 acres and held about 1,300 girls in sixty four cottages. An all‑time high for donations came in 1905 they totalled £31,557.

For information on Dr. Thomas Barnardo's funeral Click here to read more  >>>>>>>

In  1908 the Founder's Day festivities were held at The Girls' Village Home, Barkingside, and will extend over two days, Friday and Saturday, the 19th and 20th June. H.R.H. the Duchess of Albany has graciously consented to attend on the Friday. If the weather is fine it will be very jolly at The Village on those two days.

The memorial was unveiled at this Founders day in 1908. For information on the memorial at Barkingside that George Brampton RA sculptor (who created the Peter Pan statue in Kensington gardens) unveils his 20 - foot memorial to Dr. Thomas John Barnardo. Click here to read more >>>>>>>

 So Thomas Barnardo's birthday had  always been a high spot in the Barnardo calendar became a major commemorative and fundraising celebration, It was held each year at the Girls Village Home, Barkingside, which was opened to the public and incorporated the organisation's annual meeting.

It was shrewd financial planning on Barnardo's part for traditionally, the 'lean' summer months from June to October were the toughest time for raising money, as the holiday season receipts fell far below the daily maintenance minimum.

Founder's Day continued to be celebrated at the Village until 1954 when with the launch of the first National Barnardo Day Barnardo's homes all over the country opened to the public to encourage wider understanding of the organisation's work.

The well-equipped Australasian Hospital which took care of most ailments the children had within the village. While Thomas was alive he fervently longed to see a properly equipped Hospital within the grounds of the Girls Village Home. It was at the far end of the sports field that was surrounded by cottages, sadly they and the hospital have all been cleared for housing, with just four cottages left leading to the corner of Cairns House. The hospital was not built until l some years after Dr. Barnardo's death in 1911. So how did it come to be built? click here to read

In 1913 an urgent appeal for 100.000 half - crowns 'to help feed the children' succeeded and from this point the appeal became known as the Founder's Day Food Bill Fund. This appeal was especially vital during both world wars when as the magazine Night and Day reported: 'Grim - visaged war has stolen the children's bread.'

Records show "Total Income from all sources and for every purpose £243,367" "7480 average number of children in residence. 13,479 destitute and orphan children dealt with in 1915, including a large number who are the children of soldiers and sailors. 6228 fresh applications during 1915. Total admissions to end of 1915, 82,126"

For the next forty years, Dr Barnardo's Homes, as the charity was now called, continued to carry on in much the same vein. Throughout the First World War, the charity ran a program helping children whose fathers had been killed in battle. Following the First World War, the boom of the nineteen twenties lead to less destitution, although, of course it was still a large social problem. But after the stock-market crash, many families found themselves unable to look after their own children and Barnardo's adopted a policy of rescuing children from their family's poor conditions and sending them to Australia, a country that was not as badly hit by the economic crisis as the rest of the world.

Founders Day was usually celebrated on the birthday of Dr Barnardo (4th July) however in 1920 this event was held on Saturday 26th June. This was the first Founders Day held here after the Great War, the last one being in 1916. The admission charge of one shilling was charged to members of the public wanting to look around the grounds of the Girls Village Home of 68 cottages. The Duke and Duchess of Somerset were in attendance. This 4 page programme measures 8.5ins. x 5.5ins. To View click here

Also In 1920 two friends, the Hon Anne MacNaughton and Miss B. Picton - Turberville took over The Village. Still affectionately referred to as The Governors, They moved in with their Maids, Clay and Harris. It is recorded they were held in great esteem by girls and staff alike even though the girls were taught to curtsey as they passed. Soon after the new Governors arrived within a month Rear Admiral Sir Harry Stileman was appointed as a paid Director of Dr Barnardo's Homes, the last person had been Dr. Thomas Barnardo. Stileman wanted to make his mark and also mark his status within Dr Barnardo's. He moved in to Mossford Lodge in May of 1921 and soon he had his big guns out aimed at the Governors of The Girls Village Home, he published a pamphlet critical of the way the Girls Village Home was being run. In short by 1923 Stileman left the charity. The Hon Anne MacNaughton and Miss B. Picton - Turberville stayed at their post's.

So what were the Hon Anne MacNaughton and Miss B. Picton - Turberville like as Governors. The following extract from the 1968 summer issue of The Forum gives a brief outline of their work:

The Governors took up the challenge of the new age and gradually introduced into the communal life of The Village schemes and amenities whose influence for good it is hard to over estimate. One of their first ventures was the introduction of the Guide movement and later craft classes of one kind and another, club activities, the organising of folk dancing and other teams which took part in outside competitions among working girls' clubs, all brought new interests into the lives of the girls and stimulated them to new efforts of self improvement in mind and body. This movement towards wider culture and better health was much assisted by the provision of a library, a small but beautifully constructed building with its own miniature picture gallery.

They remained in their position until 1941 when Miss The Hon MacNaughton and Miss Picton Turberville retired as Governors of The Girls Village Home. The Photograph above shows The Hon. Anne MacNaughton greeting the Queen and Miss Beatrice Picton -Turberville can be seen on her right. The photograph was taken in 1924 when Queen Mary visited the Girls Village Home.

One of the most serious allegations to come to light was an accusation made in 1924 by Harold Venell; he alleged that when he become a Dr. Barnardo's boy at the age of seven due to his mother no longer being able to care for him. He and many of the children in care were deported to Canada and some had been kidnapped by the charity. In the course of the investigation, letters and diaries from Dr. Barnardo were found and within them he told of how he himself had taken the decision to remove a child from their home despite their parent's wishes. This, though serious in itself, became more so when it emerged that Dr. Barnardo's decision was often based more on his own somewhat extreme religious beliefs than whether or not the child had actually been unhappy.

Further to this, Mr. Venell told of how, when in Canada, he had been forced to work an eighteen hour day and has been fed mostly on gruel, and other thin stews. He told of how the schooling given to the children in many homes was minimal and of how many children were beaten up, sexually abused and psychologically tortured sometimes being kept in dark rooms for days or weeks at a time for misbehaviour. Barnardo's pleaded guilty to most of the charges, and apologised. It has also agreed to pay compensation to children abused in its homes between the eighteen seventies and nineteen eighties.

The dovecote on the village green circa 1900

House mother and helpers outside their cottage with the children. the girls slept in small bedrooms in single beds, the downstairs consisted of a Kitchen, dinning room, lounge, and staff sitting room.

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