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The War Years and Beyond #37

...War, the Meynell home in London was offered to the War Office and the Red Cross and became a Military Hospital for officers, being used by Francis Meynell himself who was wounded in action. One feature at the Hall was the daily barometric readings; these had been taken since 1880 up until the Second World War, when readings ceased. The Clerk of Works at Hoar Cross, namely one F W Lycett, had kept a meticulous Meteorological Register in the early years of the century. He kept them in two large leather-bound volumes, the last entry being in February 1941. Once the war was over things got back to some sort of ‘normality’; however, times had changed and women...

The Church of the Holy Angels #55

...Many stately homes had churches built near them or even a chapel inside them, as was done at Hoar Cross Hall. However, the church that was built in the grounds of the Hall became known as 'The Cathedral of the Midlands' due to its magnificent structure and is generally regarded as one of the finest Victorian churches in the country. It resembles a cathedral in miniature, being more like an English minster than a humble village church. When Emily Meynell Ingram's husband, Hugo died in 1871 from a hunting accident, she wanted to keep his memory alive. They had only been married for eight years and she had no children to comfort her and so in 1872 she commissioned...

The War years and beyond

...War, the Meynell home in London was offered to the War Office and the Red Cross and became a Military Hospital for officers, being used by Francis Meynell himself who was wounded in action. One feature at the Hall was the daily barometric readings; these had been taken since 1880 up until the Second World War, when readings ceased.  The Clerk of Works at Hoar Cross, namely one F W Lycett, had kept a meticulous Meteorological Register in the early years of the century.  He kept them in two large leather-bound volumes, the last entry being in February 1941. Once the war was over things got back to some sort of ‘normality’; however, times had changed and w...

Lest We Forget #28

...During the two World Wars the Meynell family of Hoar Cross Hall served their country alongside many others from all walks of life.  After each war there was huge social upheaval, especially for women, who had been doing what was traditionally 'mens work' during the war and weren't prepared to go back to domesticity.  At the time of the First World War Frederick Meynell and Lady Mary Meynell were living at the Hall with their five children.  Their four sons all served in the war and their daughter Margaret served in the Red Cross as a volunteer. Their eldest son Francis was a Major but was wounded in action in 1917 with severe wounds to his back. He was moved...

Celebrating VE Day #94

...As a way of commemorating V. E. Day I have re-posted my blog from November's Remembrance Day which tells of the sacrifice that the men of the Meynell family made during both world wars as well as the many thousands of others who took part.  During the two World Wars the Meynell family of Hoar Cross Hall served their country alongside many others from all walks of life.  After each war there was huge social upheaval, especially for women, who had been doing what was traditionally 'men's work' during the war and weren't prepared to go back to domestic roles.  At the time of the First World War Frederick Meynell and Lady Mary Meynell were living at the Hall with...

The War Years and Beyond #38

...War, the Meynell home in London was offered to the War Office and the Red Cross and became a Military Hospital for officers, being used by Francis Meynell himself who was wounded in action.   The deer park,  where the secret airfield was hidden   One feature at the Hall was the daily barometric readings; these had been taken since 1880 up until the Second World War, when readings ceased.  The Clerk of Works at Hoar Cross, namely one F W Lycett, had kept a meticulous Meteorological Register in the early years of the century.  He kept them in two large leather-bound volumes, the last entry being in February 1941.  Once the war was over things got b...