Population Migration

The First World War - Belgian Refugees

The outbreak of the First World war in 1914 produced not only military casualties but also civilian casualties: refugees.

The start of the war saw an influx of refugees into Britain from Belgium. In September 1914 the British government offered "victims of war the hospitality of the British nation."

The influx of Belgian refugees, which totalled over a quarter of a million people, was the largest refugee movement in British history.

The British Government accepted the responsibility for the reception, maintenance and registration of Belgian refugees, while at the same time sought out assistance in housing the refugees with local authorities.

On 21st September 1914 a letter appeared in the Express and Star from a number of local residents saying that a proposal to open a hostel in the neighbourhood had met with approval. Encouraged by the substantial contributions, they had offered to provide accommodation for twenty-five refugees. This offer had been accepted.

Extract from Express and Star, 21st September, 1914

The same day a letter was written to Horatio Brevitt, Wolverhampton Town Clerk, from Mrs E Gibbons, a member of a local refugee committee, forwarding offers of help they had received to assist the Belgian refugees. Mrs Gibbons also offered the services of herself, Mrs Spain, Miss Cremonini and Canon Hanley to represent the Roman Catholics at the next meeting.

This letter was read out at the Meeting of Executive and Trades Committee, the committee that dealt with labour matters in Wolverhampton. On hearing the letter the Mayor suggested that asub-committee be founded to look into the whole subject of the Belgian refugees.

On 17th October 1914 the Mayor of Wolverhampton made an appeal on behalf of the Belgian refugees.

Extract from Express and Star, 17th October, 1914 (DX-152)

Also in the newspaper was a letter from one of the local committees working to aid the refugees.

Extract from Express and Star, 17th October, 1914 (DX-152)

At a meeting of the Sub-Committee on 27th October 1914 offers of accommodation included houses in Connaught Road, Newhampton Road, Compton Road, two rooms in Darlington Street and accommodation at Tettenhall, Merry Hill, Bilston Street and Darlaston. Also on offer were The Gables, Penn Road and Penn Court.

Two hostels were quickly opened at Washington House, Finchfield and Ashcroft, Riley Crescent, Pennfields. Washington House accommodated twenty-nine people, while twenty-one were accommodated at Pennfields.

By March further hostels at Penn Court, Connaught Road and Newhampton Road had been opened.

In January 1915 the Mayor informed the Executive Committee that several Belgian refugees had obtained work at Oswestry on the Shropshire/ Welsh border.

Local schools accepted Belgian refugees. The following example is taken from Woodfield Junior School at Upper Penn:

Woodfield Junior School, c.1916. It is interesting to note
that the boys and girls sit separately (Y5/WOO/1)

Extract from Woodfield School log book, 1st October, 1915 (D-EDS-127/4/1)

The following week the Da Haes children also left the school.

Extract from Woodfield School log book, 8th October, 1915 (D-EDS-127/4/1)

The Belgian refugees were to remain in Britain until after the end of the First World War, when most returned to Belgium.

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© Copyright. Wolverhampton City Council, 2002