The Former Occupants

Where are the Former Occupants of the Hospital?
A Question Answered by our Chaplain

Inmates of the Hospital have several times asked me what has happened to the three hundred orphans, who, before the war, occupied the main building. I now propose briefly to answer the question.
Fortunately, at the time of the conversion of the Royal Victoria Patriotic School into the 3rd London General Hospital, the children were away on their holiday. The Committee of Management, after careful and anxious thought, resolved that the interests of the orphans should suffer as little as possible. It was, therefore, decided to take a number of large vacant houses in Spencer Park, Wandsworth Common. Here the children are now comfortably located, well cared for, and as happy as the changed conditions will allow - longing, however, for the end of the war and their return to the old home with its beautiful park-like grounds.

The Royal Victoria Patriotic School was established and endowed for the maintenance and education of fatherless daughters of Sailors, Soldiers, and Marines from the Patriotic Fund which was raised at the time of the Crimean War. Her late Majesty Queen Victoria laid the first stone, and the institution was opened on July 1st, 1859. Its object is to give a sound elementary and religious education, with a practical training for domestic service, and to maintain the orphan daughters - in such numbers as the Committee from time to time may determine - until the age of sixteen, free of all expense to the mother or guardian.

This article would not be complete without a reference to the handsome chapel, which all should see, and where Divine services are now held. The scarlet-clothed three hundred orphans assembled to worship God in this chapel was a striking picture, and appealed profoundly to all who have witnessed it. Through the kindness of Colonel and Mrs. Bruce Porter and others, generous donations have been given towards the Chapel Fund for providing Prayer and Hymn Books and appointments, and for the improvement of the kneeling accommodation. Donations and thank-offerings to the Chapel Fund will be gratefully received and acknowledged by the Chaplain of the Hospital. All who give have the satisfaction of knowing that the money expended will not only assist the reverential worship of God for the occupants of the Hospital, but also for the orphans of Sailors, Soldiers and Marines who, after the war, will again offer their prayers, praises, and thanksgivings to Almighty God in the chapel as of yore.

J. Thompson Phipps, Chaplain.