‘Rescuing friendless girls’
For many years 141 West End Lane was a mother and babies home run by the Paddington and Marylebone Ladies Association. This charitable foundation was established about 1882 by Joanna Frances (Joan) Bonham Carter to ‘rescue friendless girls’ who were unmarried mothers. They originally had a refuge in Lisson Grove, open all night, with their ‘Main Memorial Home’ at 40 Cartwright Gardens, Bloomsbury. The Association employed at least one ‘outdoor rescue worker’ and a live-in superintendent at West End Lane.
Joan’s father was Henry ‘Harry’ Bonham Carter, a cousin of Florence Nightingale. On her return from the Crimea, he was closely involved with her in setting up training schemes for nurses. Harry was a wealthy barrister and Director of the Guardian Assurance Company. He married Sibella Norman and they had twelve children, eleven sons and one daughter, Joan. The family home was at 5 Hyde Park Square.
The actress Helena Bonham Carter is distantly related to the family.
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‘Lancaster House’, the name given to the property by a previous owner, can still be seen on the gate pillar.
About 1935 the Association took over 141 West End Lane as their main Home. Unmarried women had their babies at local hospitals such as New End in Hampstead, and then stayed at the Home few several weeks. The babies were often baptised at St James Church and usually the father was not named in the register. The numbers of baptisms increased during the War. Often the mothers had to give up their babies for adoption. Electoral registers show that in 1948 there were 19 women at 141 West End Lane, including the superintendent Miss Agnes A. Nicholson, who was still at the Home in 1970.
Today, several heart rending messages have been posted on the Internet from people trying to trace their relatives:
‘I was born in New End Hospital 1943. My birth mother had been in the WAAF. She was sent to 141 West End Lane. She kept me there for six weeks during which time I was baptised at St James Church. She went with someone from the home to hand me over to an adoption agency. This seemed to be routine for all the mothers’.
‘I spent eight weeks at the mother and baby home in 1964. It was run by a Miss Nicholson, my baby was adopted in October 1964 by a Church of England adoption society. I am still trying to trace her without success’.
Another nice gem, Dick and Marianne. I also was born at New End in 1943, but my mum, although with only her sister to help, doggedly hung onto me. Otherwise she too might have ended up at 141 and gawd knows where I would be today!
Ray B
my mother gave birth to a baby girl at New End hospital on March 17th 1939. Baby’s name was Daphne Patrica Mercel-Sanca . Baby was adopted. I am looking for her but have not really got anywhere. Does anyone know if baptism records are available from St James church for that time. any information will help.Contact
thanks
The records for baptisms exist, they are held at the London Archives.
Have you gone onto the Knowhere Guide and register there n look up the place you were in. It may have others on there in the same situation n can maybe shed some light on the place.
Have you gone onto the Knowhere Guide and register there n look up the place you were in. It may have others on there in the same situation n can maybe shed some light on the place.
I was there in 1965, but kept my baby. Miss Nicholson was the matron then. To me it felt like a safe haven, and we girls formed a close bond. It was heartbreaking the day a baby was being taken by the adopting parents after the mother had cared for it for 6 weeks. It upset us all as we had spent evening sitting around a table sharing our stories. most girls wanted to keep their baby but their parents refused to allow it.
Hi Christine
I gave birth to a son in June 1965
We may have been there at the same time
I tried to keep my son It was extreme hardship for me No help.. I hope You have had a wonderful life ????????
My mother gave birth to a baby girl here in 1964. She wanted to find her but never did. I don’t have a lot of information but I think about it a lot.
I had a son born there May 1963.
The babies were not allowed night feeds so it was made easier for the new adopted families.
The day my waters broke I was scrubbing floors. Taken to Paddington hospital. Had to give him up at 6 week old.
Night time we had to take turns sleep on camp beds in the nursery with cockroaches running around
Hello, my birth certificate says my mother was at the home when she registered my birth at St Mary’s in March 1963. I was 3 weeks old. She was called Elizabeth too so you might even remember her! I was fostered but then reunited with her when I was a little boy.
Myself and my friend were students and we helped Miss Nicholson at the home from about February 1968 until 1970 . Miss Nicholson then went to another home in Harrow and I visited her there.At West End Lane a lady who worked at Buckingham Palace and knew Miss Nicholson would visit and help with some cooking. I have a photograph of her. I think she was called Miss Bates.
It would be great if you could post a photo
It’s fascinating to see what once was ????
1965 June.
Jacqueline
I believe I was at 141 WEL
I gave birth to a son Stephen at Paddington hospital June1965
Every am we got up & had cornflakes for breakfast
A typical meal was fish sticks peas & chips The meals were barely enough to keep us going But I was very grateful to have food shelter & help. Typically our parents abandoned us because they were ashamed of us.
My job was to scrub the stairs every day with a large green bar of carbolic soap & water On our hands & knees with a hand bristle brush & a rag.
When we had the baby everything was run like an army barracks everything on time like clockwork.
The Matron said there are only 3 reasons your baby cries during the night; Its wet needs diaper change, Its got gas needs a burp, & the best reason of all Your baby needs a hug.
There were about 12 babies in the nursery Each night ONE Mother would spend the night sleeping in the nursery with all the babies.
We all had our turns It was very successful The babies were all well taken care of.
We had cotton towel like diapers we had to wash by hand every day w carbolic soap We had to rinse them 5X to make sure there was no soap residue left.
Everyone had a job A routine
It was tough, but at least we had food a bed & people who cared.
Some young mothers actually had family who supported them
I remember one blonde lady who’s folk were farmers. They came to visit & brought her a wheel of cheese & other necessities.
I had No family visit me.
No help…
The cook was called Christine.
I hope everyone who was there obtained a happy successful & satisfactory life Love to Everyone
Jacqueline.