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Sheltering Home of Industry / Shirley Home / Ashdene, Southampton, Hampshire

In 1902, the Sheltering Home of Industry — later more usually referred to as the Shirley Home — was established by Barnardo's at 16 Wordsworth Road, Shirley, Southampton. It originally housed up to ten girls in the 3 to 14 age range, although the accommodation later increased to 23.

In 1929, the home moved to new premises known as Ashdene at 133 Regent's Park Road, Shirley. In 1939, the home was briefly used for boys preparing to emigrate to Canada but then closed during during the Second World War until 1945. After the war, it continued in operation as a boys' home until its final closure at the end of 1973.

The Wordsworth Road property is now in residential use but Ashdene no longer exists.

Records

Note: many repositories impose a closure period of up to 100 years for records identifying individuals. Before travelling a long distance, always check that the records you want to consult will be available.

Bibliography

  • Barnardo, Syrie Louise, and Marchant, James Memoirs of the Late Dr Barnardo (Hodder & Stoughton, 1907)
  • Batt, J.H. Dr. Barnardo: The Foster-Father of "Nobody's Children" (S.W. Partridge, 1904)
  • Bready, J. Wesley Doctor Barnardo (Allen & Unwin, 1930)
  • Higginbotham, Peter Children's Homes: A History of Institutional Care for Britain s Young (2017, Pen & Sword)
  • Rose, June For the Sake of the Children: Inside Dr. Barnardo's: 120 years of caring for children (Hodder & Stoughton, 1987)
  • Wagner, Gillian Barnardo (Weidenfeld & Nicholson, 1979)

Except where indicated, this page () © Peter Higginbotham. Contents may not be reproduced without permission.