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Ancestry UK

Maurice Home for Girls, London / Ealing, Middlesex

The Maurice Home for Girls was established in around 1865 by the Rev. F Denison Maurice. It was initially based at 22 Charlotte Street, Portland Place, London, where it was certified as an Industrial School on May 4th, 1867, for the reception of twelve girls placed there by magistrates under the Industrial Schools Acts. The inmates were taught housework and needlework, and did the washing for the establishment.

In around 1874, the home took on additional accommodation at 41 Charlotte Street, where some of the older girls slept and which was also used for housing any cases of illness and for girls returning from situations. An official inspection in 1875 recorded 36 girls in residence, of whom 12 were under detention and 24 were there voluntarily. Conduct and discipline were noted as being 'very good generally' and the school as 'sensibly conducted and going on well'. Reading and spelling were 'good' and writing 'neat and careful'. The general matron, based at no. 41, was Mrs Pearson, with Miss Davey having charge of no. 22.

22 and 41 Charlotte Street, London, 2018. © Peter Higginbotham

In 1899, the home began to be officially referred to as 'The Maurice Home' rather than just as 'The Home for Girls', its usual name up until then. In 1904, the home moved to new premises at 78 Hallam Street, Portland Place, where it was certified for the reception of 30 girls on July 12th, 1904. It moved again in 1907 to 7 Mattock Lane, Ealing, Middlesex, where it was certified as an Industrial school for 32 girls on January 19th, 1907.

In 1912, the home was taken over by the Waifs and Strays Society. After some alterations, the establishment re-opened, now housing aged 28 girls aged from 7 to 16. The home initially continued operating as an Industrial School although it relinquished that status in 1920.

Maurice Home for Girls, Ealing, c.1913. © Peter Higginbotham

Maurice Home for Girls, Ealing, c.1928. © Peter Higginbotham

Maurice Home for Girls, Ealing, c.1929. © Peter Higginbotham

Maurice Home for Girls, Ealing, c.1930. © Peter Higginbotham

The Maurice Home was possibly the first in the Society to have its own Girl Guides' Company. The picture below shows them being inspected by Princess Mary in Hyde Park in 1921.

Maurice Home for Girls, Girl Guides' inspection by Princess Mary, 1921. © Peter Higginbotham

In 1938, when war appeared imminent, the home was briefly evacuated to Eversholt House in Leighton Buzzard. When the Second World War eventually did break out, in September 1939, the girls were evacuated again to Grenville House at Ascot, which became their permanent home after the war.

In 1946, the Ealing premises became a toddlers' reception home, known as the Maurice House Home. It continued in use until its closure in 1972 when the residents were transferred to the Stildon Home at East Grinstead.

Of the home's surviving premises, 22 and 41 Charlotte Street are now both restaurants, while 7 Mattock Lane is in private residential use.

Records

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Bibliography

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