Comlongon Castle, Ruthwell, Dumfriesshire, Scotland
Comlongon Castle, a Barnardo's Home, was located at Ruthwell, Dumfriesshire.
Opened in January 1942, Comlongon Castle near Ruthwell, Dumfriesshire, was one of the dozen or so wartime evacuation centres that Barnardo's established in large country houses in Scotland. Comlongon Castle was used to accommodate the under-fives.
Barnardo evacuees at Comlongan Castle, Dumfries, 1942. © Peter Higginbotham
From 1947 until its final closure in February 1952, Comlongon Castle was used a short-term home and for the training of nursery staff.
The property is now privately owned and markets itself as an upmarket wedding venue.
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.
- Barnardo's 'Making Connections' and Family History Services — for enquiries relating the records of children formerly in the care of Barnardo's and those of other organisations absorbed by them.
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)
Links
- The Barnardo's website.
- The Goldonian Website — memories and information from former Barnardo's children.
Except where indicated, this page () © Peter Higginbotham. Contents may not be reproduced without permission.
