History of Leydene House€¦ · This report is mainly a distillation of memoirs and records which have been transcribed and attached as appendices. A marriage is arranged In the

History of Leydene House By Michael Blakstad

Fig1.LeydeneHousetoday.

Introduction....................................................................................................................................................2

Amarriageisarranged..............................................................................................................................2

Leydene............................................................................................................................................................3 Thecountryhouse.......................................................................................................................................5

HMSMercury..................................................................................................................................................6

LeydeneEstate..............................................................................................................................................8 LeydenePark..................................................................................................................................................9

Appendix1.BiographyofWilliamRobertWellesleyPeel(Wikipedia)..............................10

Appendix2.RecollectionsofLewisTyrode,headchauffeurtothePeels..........................11

Appendix3.InterviewwithCharlotteDuthie,greatgranddaughterofLadyPeel........12

Appendix4.ConstructionofLeydeneHouse,1921-1925......................................................14

Appendix5.CorrespondencebetweenLadyDianaCavendish,granddaughterofLord&LadyPeel,andMichaelBlakstad.....................................................................................................21

Appendix6.FromFreddieStandfield’sbook.................................................................................22 Appendix6HMSMercury.......................................................................................................................27

HistoryofLeydeneHouseApril2019

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Introduction WhenLeydeneHousewasbuilt,justaftertheGreatWar,manycountryhouseswerebeingsoldofftopayfordeathdutiesandothertaxes:itwouldbealongtimebeforesuchasumptuouscountryhousewouldbebuiltforprivateindividuals.WilliamRobertWellesleyPeelandhiswifeEleanor,theDowagerCountesswereimmenselywealthy;hewasthegrandsonofSirRobertPeel,theConservativePrimeMinister.Themoney,however,camefromLadyPeel,thedaughterofLordAshton,awealthyLancasterlinoleummanufacturer,whohadsettled£800,000onhisonlychildwhenthecoupleweremarriedin1898(£100millionintoday’smoney).Theyacquired10,300acresoflandinandaroundtheparishofEastMeon1.

WilliamPeelinheritedhisfather’speeeragein1912andbecameViscountClanfield:hewasacareerpoliticianwhovisitedLeydenemainlytohostweekendshootingpartiesofprominentguests.Hediedin1937andin1941LeydeneHousewasrequisitionedbytheRoyalNavytoreplacetheSignalsSchoolinPortsmouthwhichhadbeenbombed:itbecameH.M.S.Mercury.FollowingLadyPeel’sdeathin1953,therestoftheestatewassoldoff,andin1993,LeydeneHouse/HMSMercurywasalsosoldoff:theHouseandstablesweredividedintoapartments,andthenavalbuildingssoldofffordevelopmentasmarkethousingandasaSustainabilityCentre2.

Thisreportismainlyadistillationofmemoirsandrecordswhichhavebeentranscribedandattachedasappendices.

A marriage is arranged Intheearly19thcentury,SirRobertPeelasHomeSecretaryhadfoundedtheMetropolitanPoliceService,subsequentlybecameLeaderoftheHouseandfinallythePrimeMinisterwholaiddowntheprinciplesofmodernconservatism;hewasalsothefirstindustrialisttoachievethehighestoffice,andaLancastrian.Hisyoungestson,ArthurWellesley,wasSpeakeroftheHouseandin1895becameViscountPeel,thetitlewhichpassedonhisdeathin1912tohissonWilliamPeelwhocontinuedinthefamily’spoliticaltraditionasUnder-SecretaryofStateforWar,amemberofthePrivyCouncillor,SecretaryofStateforIndiaandChairmanofthePeelCommissionwhichrecommendedthepartitionofPalestineintoJewishandArabstates3.Hediedin1937.Arisingpoliticianneededmoneytofundhisendeavoursandin1899,WilliamPeelmarriedEleanorWilliamson,daughterofthefirstBaronAshton,alinoleummanufacturerwhohaddramaticallyexpandedhisfamily’slinoleumbusiness:attheheightofhisprosperityAshtonwasthefifthrichestmanintheworld.Hesettled£800,00onthebride,around£100millionsintoday’smoney.

1StandfieldF.G.AHistoryofEastMeonPhillimore&Co1984pp125–130.2RJDTechnologyHistoryoftheLeydeneSite20063Appendix1:CareerofRobertWellesleyPeel


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Fig2WilliamRobertWellesleyPeel,portraitbyWilliamNicholson.

Fig3.LordPeelleavingtheKingDavidHotelduringthePeelCommission

Fig4.LordAshton

Fig5.TheAshtonMemorialinLancaster

AshtonalsoservedasMPforLancaster;hedonatedseveralofLancaster’spublicbuildings,includingthemagnificenttownhalland,afterthedeathofhissecondwife,theAshtonMemorialofwhichthecupolacanbeglimpsedfromtheM6motorway.Whenhediedin1930heleftnowillandthestatetook50%ofthevalueofhisestate-£10.5million(£600millionsintoday’smoney)4.

Leydene Intheseconddecadeofthe20thcentury,thePeelsdecidedtobuildacountryhouse‘regardlessofcost’.AfteralongsearchacrossthesouthofEngland,theydecidedonalocationatthetopofHydenHill,atthesouthernendoftheparishofEastMeon.ItisthoughtthatthevicarofAllSaints,theReverendThomasHeywoodMasters,wasafriendofthePeelsandinfluencedthedecision5.ThesitehadmagnificentviewsovertheSolenttenmilestothesouthandtheMeonValleytothenorthandwasastridetheancientroadfromButsertoWinchesterHillwhichpredatestheRomaninvasionandisnowtheSouthDownsWay.Theirheadchauffeur,LewisTyrode,recordedtheirreasonsforchoosingthesite:‘anelevatedpositiongivingextensiveviews,aclear,cleanand

4Ashworth,SueLordAshworththeLinoKing,LancasterCityMuseums2004

5Appendix3.InterviewwithCharlotteDuthie,greatgranddaughterofthePeels


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invigoratingairsoftenedbythelowergroundstothewestandsouth,nearnesstoalargetownorcity,yetfarenoughtoavoidthenoiseandsmokeand,also,nearenoughtoLondontomakethejourneythereandbackeasilyinaday.Carswerethenjustcomingintotheirownasameansofgeneraltransport.Thefirstimpressionwasoneofpeace:Theslopingdownlandwasthickwithwildstrawberries,anumberofgrazingsheepandavarietyofwildfloraandfauna.’WeowetoTyrodemuchofourinformationaboutthePeels,andespeciallytheDowagerCountess6.

TheyboughtlandfromthetrusteesofLordHothamandintheSpringof1914anareanorthofLeydeneBottomwaslevelledforthefoundationsoftheMainHouse,designedbyMrJuppFRIBAofLondon,intheSpringof1914.However,theFirstWorldWarbroughtahalttoconstruction,asthelabourers,whowerealllocal,wereneededforwarwork.ThePeelshadrentedCoombeCrossnearbyandstayedthereuntil1925.Whenworkresumedinthesummerof1919theoriginalplanshadtobecurtailedslightlyasmoneyhaddepreciatedduringthewar.Appendix4isaremarkablephotographicrecordoftheconstructionandtheeventualmove,intheautumnof1924,fromCoombeCrosstothemagnificentnewcountryhouse.

Map1.Pre-warsiteplan.

Fig6.UniquesnapshotofLadyPeelonsitein1922

LadyPeelnowcommissionedfashionableinteriordesignerstheHooydonkBrotherstocompletethedesignofLeydeneHouse:theiroutstandingdesigncontributiontoLeydeneHousewasthedouble-spiralstaircaseinthehall.

Fig7.ThedoublespiralstaircasedesignedbytheHooydonkBrothers

6Appendix2:RecollectionsofLewisTyrode


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Thegroundworkwasdonebyalargebodyofartisansandworkmenwithsteamtractorsandlorriesmovingchalkandfetchingsupplies.Thedrivewayswereoriginallygravelbuttheprevailingchalkwasstickyinwetweatherandtarmacwaslaidbylocalmen

Fig8.Groundsmenpreparingasphaltforthedriveways

BelgianlimestonewaslandedatLittlehampton,broughtbytraintoHavant,andthencebylorry.ThebrickswerespeciallymadebytheRowlandsBrickWorks,andthemainstaircasebyafirminGosport.

Fig9.JeremiahChristmasonleft,‘Curly’Searlenextto

him.

The100-acresgroundsincludedextensivegardens,tenniscourts,a7-acrevegetableandfruitgardenwereadded:therosegardenwaslaidoutin1926inthepatternofLordAshton’sbest-sellinglinoleumtileofthetime.

Fig10.TherosegardenlaidoutinthestyleofLordAshton’sbest-sellingfloortile.

The country house ThePeelsemployed14gardeners,3chauffeurs,abutler,cook,lady’smaid,2footmen,hallboy,4housemaids,akitchenmaidandascullerymaid.LordPeel’spoliticallifekepthiminLondonduringtheweek;weekendhousepartiesatLeydenewerespectacularandincludedsucheminentfiguresasWinstonChurchill(whomLadyPeelthought‘veryrude’).Inseason,eminentguestswereinvitedtoshootingparties–andononeoccasionthetimberhuntinglodgeinHydenWoodswasaccidentallyburneddownbyanover-zealousfootman.LadyPeelhatedLondonanddoesn’tseemtohaveenjoyedentertainingherhusband’spoliticalguests:ononeoccasionthelocalcouncilfailedtocleartheroadsofsnowandshebilleditfor£77s7d,thecostoffourextradays’entertainingguests.


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Formostofthetime,sheledalifeofSpartansimplicity:lunchoftenconsistedofabowlofsoup,servedonanoutdoorterrace,irrespectiveoftheweather,forshewasafreshairfanatic.Shealsoconductedcallisthenicsontheterrace,ofteninthenude,anditissaidthatanygardenerwhostoleaglanceinherdirectionwasinstantlydismissed.Conversely,sheobservedthegroundsmenandgardenersthroughatelescope.

Despitehergreatwealth,theCountesswasfrugaltothepointofmiserliness.ShewasknowntocatchaliftfromEastMeonorClanfieldinacoallorryandhabituallydressed“likeatramp”,inankle-lengthshabbyblackclothes.Themotherofasonanddaughter,shehadlittlelikingforchildren,eitherherownorotherpeople’s:shepreferredthecompanyofherpedigreeSaddlebackpigs.ReadersoftheBlandingsnovelsmightspeculatewhetherP.G.Wodehousemightn’thaveusedLadyPeelashismodelforLordEmsworthandhissisterLadyConstanceKeeble,andhisloveofhisprizesowtheEmpressofBlanding.

SuccessivepurchasesoffarmandwoodlandincreasedtheLeydeneEstatetoover10,300acresinEastMeonandadjoiningparishes,makingthePeelsthelargestlandownerssincetheBishopsofWinchesterhadbeenLordsofEastMeonmanors.WhenLordPeeldiedin1937,theCountessworeblackfortherestofherlife:itissaidthatherclothesbecamegreenwithage7.ShespentmoreandmoretimeatHendersyde,a1,600acreestateontheTweedinSouthernScotland,whereshecouldindulgeherpassionforsalmonfishingandwhereshecausedcontroversybyrebuildingthehouseinthestyleofLeydene.

HMS Mercury TheNavy’sprincipalSignalsSchoolinPortsmouthhadbeendevastatedbybombingandanespeciallyheavyraidinMarch1941destroyedmostoftheDockyardandwithittheSignalstrainingestablishments.Theexperimental,radioandradarsectionsoftheSchoolwerethentransferredtoHaslemereandWitley.

LeydeneHousehadbeenearmarkedforrequisitioningsinceNovember1940,initiallybytheMinistryofHealthandsubsequentlyasanaccommodationsitefortheSignalSchool.InApril1941theAdmiraltyappropriatedLeydeneHouseand100acresofland:LadyPeelreluctantlyacceptedthearrangementfromScotland,wheresheremainedthereafter.InAugustitwascommissionedasHMSMercuryand300ratingsweremovedin,losingonlyoneday’straining.Alandminewasdroppedonthesiteduringthetransfer,breakingthewingofapheasantbutdoingnomoredamage.GermanaircraftattemptedtobombLeydenethroughoutthewarbutitescaped8.

LeydeneHousewasusedtoprovidemessesforofficersandratings,classroomsandaccommodationforWRNS.Ontheadjacentland,includingthekitchengarden,around100Nissenhutswereadded:theirendswerebrickedin,andtemporarybuildingsbecamepermanent.50MinistryofWarbuildingswerealsoerected:the‘ship’scompany’roseto1,200by1942.Intime,juniormessesmovedoutofthemainhousewhichwasthenusedonlybyofficersandadministration.KingGeorgeVIvisitedinthesummerof1843andtookthesaluteduringamarchpast.From1944,manyofthetemporarybuildingswerereplacedbypermanentones,andfurtherlandwas

7RJDIbidp478RJDIbidp1


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requisitioned;acinema,swimmingpoolandsquashcourtswereadded.InAugust1945,MercuryalsobecameashoreWireless/Telegraphystationand60ftwirelessmastswereerected.

AftertheWar,theNavyconsideredmovingtheSignalsSchoolbacktoPortsmouthbuttherewasinsufficientaccommodation.Instead,120acresoflandandthehousewerecompulsorypurchasedfromLadyPeelfor£60,000(aderisorysumconsideringtherealvalueofthebuildingandland).Asportsfieldwasbulldozedtothewestofthesite.SignalstrainingwastransferredfromPlymouthandnewaccommodationblockswerebuiltonnewlyacquiredlandtothenorthoftheDroxfordRoad.DuringtheColdWar,HMSMercurydoubledinsizeandbecamethelargestsignalsschoolinthecountry.

Fig11.HMSMercuryin1952,showingaccommodationblockstothesouthoftheDroxfordRoad.

Fig12.RatingsintheMess Fig13.ParadeoutsideLeydeneHouse


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Leydene Estate LadyPeeldiedin1949.Hergranddaughter,LadyDianaCavendish,related:“Whenshedied,sheleftnomoneytohersonanddaughter,alltofoundthecharitableTrust,whichyoumention.However,underScottishlaw,youcannotdisinherityourchildren,somyuncleandmymotherbroughtacasetoprovethatshewasdomiciledinScotland,whichtheywon,sosomeofthemoneydidtrickledowntothem”9.FouryearslatertheLeydeneEstatewassoldbyauctionin51lots.4,000acreswereboughtbySirDymokeWhite,thetenantofOxenbourneHousewhocashedinhissharesinthefamilyfirmofTimothyWhite,thechainofhighstreetchemistswhichwassubsequentlytakenoverbyBoots.10

Lot12ofthe1953Leydenesalehadcomprisedthe‘HighlyProductiveCornandDairyHoldingLOWERANDSOUTHFARMS1,178Acres.ThisHoldingisinahighstateofcultivationandhasbeenintheoccupationofthepresentTenantsforagreatmanyyears.ItincludessomeofthebestCornGrowinglandinthedistrict,aswellassomehigh-lyinggrassDowns,veryhealthyforCattleandSheepGrazing;withagroundfieldWaterSupply,andwellfenced.’SirDymokeWhitemadeanoffertothe‘presenttenants’,GeorgeandJosephAtkinson:“Ifyouarepreparedtomakeanofferforyourland,thenputabidinanenvelope.”Theywereabletobuybothfarms.OnSirDymoke’sdeaththelandpassedtohissonLyntonWhitewhohadworkedasanarchitectbeforeservingasagunnerinWorldWarII.Helet170acres-OxenbourneDown,WascoombeBottomandHilhamptonDown–toHampshireCountyCouncilasanaturereserve;hedescribeditas:“largelyunspoiltnaturaldownland,heavilywoodedwithyewandthornscrub,managedbytheHantsandIOWNaturalistTrust”.

Fig14.ThePeels’graveinAllSaintschurchyard

BothLordandLadyPeelareburiedinAllSaintschurchyard.Herestateof£4millionswascutbydeathdutiesto£1millionand,aftermodestbequeststoherchildren,wasinvestedinTheDowagerCountessEleanorPeelTrusttobenefit‘oldpeopleandneedycauses’.Itisspecificallyprohibitedfromdonatingtocauses‘primarilydevotedtochildren…orunderthecontroloflocalgovernment11’.

TenantsrememberedthePeelsasgoodlandlordswhohadcommissionedmanyalterationsandrepairsonthepropertiestheyowned.

TheirsonArthurhadsucceededtotheViscountcyasthesecondEarlofClanfield;hebecameLordLieutenantandanHonoraryFreemanofLancaster.Hissister,LadyDorisBlacker,waswellknowninEastMeonandbecameaCountyCouncillorfor22years,aswellasbeingamagistrateandinvolvedincharitiesforthewelfareofchildren.Hertwinsons,DavidandBrian,werebothCountyCouncillors,oneinWestSussexandtheotherinHampshire.BrianlivedatGarstonFarminEastMeon;hediedin2017.Asafootnote9Herdaughter,LadyDorisBlacker,laterpurchasedtwofarmsforhersons:GoleighinHambledonforDavidandGarstoninEastMeonforBrian.Appendix3:InterviewwithCharlotteDuthieandAppendix5,correspondencewithLadyDianaCavendish10Blakstad,Michaeled:FarmingtheValley,2019,p80.

11Standfield,FGAhistoryofEastMeonp129,alsoDianaCavendish,Appendix5.


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tothisextraordinaryfamily,theidenticaltwinsDavidand‘Bloggs’Blackerwerebothplayedinthe2017movie‘Breathe’byTomHollanderinthemovingstoryoftheirbrother-in-lawRobinCavendish,whohadbeenstruckdownbypolioandwhomtheyhelpedreturnhomethankstoahome-mademobileartificiallung.

Leydene Park Inthesummerof1991,theQueenandPrincePhilipvisitedHMSMercurytomarkits50thbirthdayanditwasannouncedthattheSignalsSchoolwouldbeclosed.In1993thenavigationaltrainingsectionmovedtoHMSDryadandtheNorthCampdemolishedandlevelledIn1995,thedesertedMedicalBlockwasoccupiedbytheSustainabilityCentre12.

Themainhouseanditsgarageblockwereconvertedtoluxuryapartmentsanddetachedhouses(Fig15,left)withlargegardenswerebuiltwheretheSignalsSchoolhutsandotherbuildingshadstood.

ThelandstothesouthoftheDroxfordroadwerehandedovertotheDefenceLandAgencywhichsoldittoLudshottEstates,whosubsequentlyre-soldittootherdeveloperswhosubmittedasuccessionofplanningapplications,includingproposalstobuildaretirementcomplex,ayoungoffenders’instituteandtrainingestablishments;theyclaimedthatthesitehadpreviouslybeenusedbyHMNavyforresidentialtraining,planningconsentwasnotgranted.Intheseconddecadeofthe21stcentury,moreexecutivehouseswerebuiltthere;thefirstbatchwascompletedahundredyearsafterconstructionofLeydeneHousehadstarted.

12https://www.sustainability-centre.org


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Appendix 1. Biography of William Robert Wellesley Peel (Wikipedia) Background and education TheeldestsonofArthurWellesleyPeel,1stViscountPeelandAdelaideDugdale,PeelwasborninLondonin1867.HisfatherwasthefifthandyoungestsonofPrimeMinisterSirRobertPeel.HewaseducatedatHarrowandBalliolCollege,Oxford,wherehewassecretaryoftheOxfordUnion.In1893hewascalledtothebarattheInnerTemple,andpractisedasabarristerbeforetakingthepositionofspecialcorrespondentfortheDailyTelegraphduringtheGreco-TurkishWarof1897.

Political career In1900PeelwasappointedamemberoftheRoyalCommissionformedtoinquireintotheoperationofthePortofLondon.InthesameyearhebeganhispoliticalcareerwhenhewaselectedtotheLondonCountyCouncil.Hewasamemberofthepro-ConservativegroupingonthecouncilthatbecametheMunicipalReformParty.HewasleaderofthePartyfrom1908to1910andchairmanofthecountycouncilfrom1914to1916.HehadbegunhisParliamentarycareerwhenhewaselectedasLiberalUnionistMPforManchesterSouthataby-election.Atthenextgeneralelectionin1906hestoodunsuccessfullyatHarrow.HereturnedtotheCommonsin1909,whenelectedasConservativeMPforTauntonataby-election.Heinheritedhisfather'sviscountcyin1912,andmovedtotheHouseofLords.

PeelwasappointedaDeputyLieutenantofBedfordshireandlieutenant-coloneloftheBedfordshireYeomanryin1912,andontheoutbreakoftheFirstWorldWarmovedtoFrancewithhisregiment.DuetoillhealthhereturnedtoBritainin1915.In1918hereceivedhisfirstgovernmentpostasJointParliamentarySecretaryattheDepartmentofNationalService.In1919hebecameUnder-SecretaryofStateforWarandamemberofthePrivyCouncil.TwoyearslaterhebecameChancelloroftheDuchyofLancasterandMinisterforTransport.

Heenteredthecabinetin1922asSecretaryofStateforIndiaaspartofthecoalitiongovernmentofDavidLloyd-GeorgebutcontinuedinthepostafterthedownfalloftheCoalitionduringthepremiershipsofBonarLawandBaldwin.Baldwin'sGovernmentfellinJanuary1924,butafterabriefspellinoppositionwasreturnedtopoweratthe1924GeneralElection.PeelwasappointedFirstCommissionerofWorksintheConservativeadministrationformedbyStanleyBaldwin.In1928hebrieflyreturnedtotheIndiaOfficebeforetheConservativeslostpowerat1929generalelection.ThelatteryearhewascreatedViscountClanfield,ofClanfieldintheCountyofSouthampton,andEarlPeel.WhenaConservative-dominatedNationalGovernmentwasformedafterthe1931electionhebecameLordPrivySeal.Heonlyheldthisofficefortwomonths,leavinggovernmentinNovember.

In1932hewasappointedchairmanoftheWheatCommission,andin1934chairedtheRoyalCommissionontheCommonLaw.In1936-1937LordPeelwasthechairmanofthePeelCommissionwhichpresentedforthefirsttimeinitsperiodtheBritishMandateofPalestineasthesolutionofpartitionfortheJewish-ArabconflictinPalestine.


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Appendix 2. Recollections of Lewis Tyrode, head chauffeur to the Peels Interview with F.G.Standfield ‘ThereisonedistinctionaboutLeydeneHousethatmaybeunique.Ibelievethatnolargerprivatehousehadbeenbuiltforatleasthalfacentury,norhasbeenbuiltsince.

Itwasin1913,afteralargenumberofjourneysthroughtheSouthandWestofEngland,thatEarlandCountessPeeldecidedthatthesiteatthetopofHydenHillpromisedtobetheidealspotforahouse;thatitwouldhavethenecessaryadvantagesthattheyrequired,namelyanelevatedpositiongivingextensiveviews,aclear,cleanandinvigoratingairsoftenedbythelowergroundstothewestandsouth,nearnesstoalargetownorcity,yetfarenoughtoavoidthenoiseandsmokeand,also,nearenoughtoLondontomakethejourneythereandbackeasilyinaday.Carswerethenjustcomingintotheirownasameansofgeneraltransport.

Anyfirstimpressionwasoneofcompletepeace.Wherethehousenowstandswereslopinggrounds,thickwithwildstrawberries,anumberofgrazingsheepandavarietyofwildfloraandfauna.Amongthelattermightbeseeninnumbers,Admirals(butterflyvariety)andWrens(feathered).

Themajorportionoftheestateof16,000acreswasboughtfromLordHotham.Planswerepreparedandinthespringof1914,workbeganwithdirectlabour,mostlylocal;levellingandfoundationswerewellinhand.

LordandLadyPeelhaddecidedtoadaptafarmhouseatCoombeCrossfortheiruse,towatchandsupervisethebuilding,butwiththeadventinAugustoftheFirstWorldwar,allworkceasedonbuildingLeydeneHouse.

Itwasnotuntilthesummerof1919thatworkwasrecommencedonthesite.Planshadtobecurtailedslightlyasmoneyvalueshaddepreciated.Thefirstthingtobedonewastoshiftthecarttrackwhichwentbetweenthehousesiteandprospectivegarages,toalinefurthernorth.Thiscarttrackwasonapre-RomanroadrunninginastraightlinefromBusterHilltooldWinchesterHillandtheMeonValley.

Toresume–workproceededapacewithalargebodyofartisansandworkmen,steamtractorsandlorries,movingchalkandfetchingsupplies.ThestoneusedwasBelgianlimestoneandthetwofireplacesinthemanhallareofthesamematerial,whichtookafinepolish.ItwaslandedatLittlehampton,broughbytraintoHavant,andthencebylorry.

ThebrickswerespeciallymadebytheRowlandsBrickWorks,andthemainstaircasebyafirminGosport.

Intheautumnof1924,sufficientroomswerecompletedtoenabletheownerstomovein,butitwasearly1925beforeonehouse,garagesandcottageswereready.

Atfirst,theapproacheswereoflocalgravel,butthisinwetweatherwasmuchtoofriendlyandstucktoone’sbootsinquantity.Soitwasdecidedto11concretethedrives.Inthemeanwhile,therosegardens,drytenniscourtsandthebroadwalkstomainvegetableand


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fruitgardenswereadded.(ItisworthnotingthatalthoughLordPeelhadbeenPrimeMinister13ofGreatBritain,itwasLadyPeelwhobroughtLeydeneHousefromthefortunesherfamilyhadmadefromsellingthenewlinoleumfloorcovering.Therosegardenisstilllaidoutasitwasin1926,inthedesignofthemostpopularsellinglinoleumtileofthetime.)’

From1927onwards,thesummerssawmanybrilliantweekendparties;theCommander-in-ChiefPortsmouthwasafrequentguest.AutumnsandwinterssawtheshootingpartiesatwhichlunchwastakeninarustichutinHydenWood.Ononeoccasion,thefootmenhadbeensentdownearlytomakeupthefireinthehut,butoverdidit,andbythetimethegunsarrivedforlunch,theirwarmthwasthesmoulderingremainsofthehut.

1939sawtheoutbreakoftheSecondWorldWar.Thatyear,aGermanplanelandedastringof3HEbombsandoneoilcanjusttotheleftgoingoutthegate,whichbrokethewingofapheasant.Laterastringofincendiarieslandedoneithersideofthehouse,withouttouchingit.

Later,however,itwasapparentlylearnedinGermanythattheRoyalNavywereabout,butthebesttheycoulddowasalandminetotheEastandafewHEsinthewoods.Asyouknow,theRNSignalstookoverin1941anddecideditwasagoodplacetostay.’

Appendix 3. Interview with Charlotte Duthie, great granddaughter of Lady Peel Recorded by Andy Hales 16/04/2019 Charlotte:In1913mygreatgrandmotherEleanorPeelandherhusbandWilliamPeelwerelookingforsomewheretobuyinthecountrysideandtheylookedextensivelyaroundtheSouthCoastandbeyond,actually:ithasalwaysbeenamysteryastohowtheyactuallyfoundthespotatLeydenewheretheyactuallyboughtthelandtheydid.Wethinkthere’sapossibilitythatthevicarofEastMeonatthetime,whowasaReverendCrawley14,wasafriendoftheirsandtheymighthavefoundtheareaattractivebyvisitingthem–we’renotquitesurebutwethinkthatmightbetheconnection.Anyway,theyfoundthelandatLeydene,10,000to12,000acres,andEleanorPeel,whowasveryveryrichasaresultofherfathermakinglinoleum,boughtthelandin1912/13and…

Andy:Herfatherwasthe5thrichestpersonintheworld?

Charlotte:Hewas:attheheightofhiswealthhewasthe5thrichestmanintheworld.

Andy:GoodGod…

Charlotte:HeimportedthecorkfromPortugal;hehadhisownfleetofshipsandhebroughtituptheriverinLancasteranditwasturnedintolinoleumwhichwasthethingthen,everysinglehousehadlinoleumfloors:hecouldn’tproduceenough.Hewas13Notcorrect.HewasSecretaryofStateforIndia,FirstCommissionerofWorks,LordPrivySealandchairmanofthePeelCommissionwhichpresentedforthefirsttimeinitsperiodtheBritishMandateofPalestine.14Actually,thevicarwasRevThomasHeywoodMasters.RevArthurStaffordCrawleytookoverin1922.Masterswasanoutstandingvicar:hecommissionedNinianCompertorefurbishtheinteriorofAllSaints,heservedinFrancethroughoutWWI,firstasanambulancedriverthenasanarmychaplain.


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makingmoreandmoremoney.Hehadtwodaughters,Eleanor&Maude;unfortunatelyMaudediedwhenshewas30,unmarried.

Butanyway,Eleanor&WilliamdrewuptheplansforthishouseatLeydene:itwastobe,intheend,thelargesthousebuiltforprivateuse;therehasn’tbeenaslargeahouseasthatsinceshebuiltLeydene.

Andy:GoodGod…theequivalentofaRussianoligarchtoday?

Charlotte:Yes:ahugeprojectandofcourseithasthesewonderfulviewsovertheSolentanddowntheMeonValley.Andinthosedays(andIevenrememberitwhenitdidn’thaveallthetreeswhicharenowthereandwhichdoobscurequitealotoftheSolentviewandtheMeonValleyview)…anditwasanextraordinarysight[site?].TheymoveddowntoCoombeCrosswhiletheyweredoingtheplanning.WillyPeelwasatthattimeforgingapoliticalcareersohewasn’toftenintheareaandheleftmostoftheplanningtoEleanor.

Andy:Andthewarintervened?

Charlotte:Unfortunatelythewarcameandallthemenwhoweregoingtoworkonthehousewentofftowar,sothebuildingstopped.Itre-startedagainin1918andwasfinishedin1925whichiswhentheymovedinthere.

Andy:SotheywereinCoombeCrossfortherestofthetime?

Charlotte:TheywereatCoombeCrosstherestofthetime.Mygrandmotherandherbrothergrewupthere.Anyway,thatwasallfine,theylivedthere.TherewereapocryphalstoriesaboutEleanorPeelwhicheveryoneknows,Idon’tknowifyouwanttoknowaboutthem?Howshesuedthecouncilwhenitsnowed?Theyinvitedsomeguestsdownfortheweekendanditsnowed,andtheguestscouldn’tleave;EleanorPeelwassofuriousbecauseshewantedtogetridofthemthatsheeventuallysuedthecouncilfornotclearingthesnow.Shewas..

Andy:Apieceofwork?

Charlotte:Therearelotsofstoriesabouther,Idon’tknowwhethertheyweretrueornot–Michaelknowssomeofthemaswell–therearestoriesaboutherwhicharetoldbydifferentpeoplesosomeofthemaretrue–butshewasanunusualeccentric.Anyway,sheunfortunatelyonlylivedinthe.Hosueforanother12yearsbecausewhenthesecondWorldWartheNavyrequisitioned…

Andy:AndWillydiedin’38?

Charlotte:Willydiedin’38havingdonethePeelCommission,whichwasthecommission,veryveryinteresting:hewassenttoIsraeltotryandsortthesituationoutthere,becauseobviouslytheJewshadbeengrantedtheirhomelandthereandtheArabsweren’tbestpleased.Herecommendedpartitionofthecountryonboundariesthatpeoplethinkwouldhaveworkedbutunfortunatelythegovernmentdidn’treallyliketheideaofpartitionsoitwasn’tpassedthroughtheHouseofCommonsbutlotsofpeoplesayitwasthelastchanceforpeaceinthearea,buthediedsoonafteritfinishedthat,in1938,andthentheNavyrequisitionedthehousein1940andEleanorreluctantlymovedout…

Andy:Andtheywanteditforsignalspurposes…


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Charlotte:ThesignalsstationMercury,andtheywantedasignalsstation,andanenormousamountsofNissanhutsandextrabuildingswereputuparoundthehousetoaccommodatetheNavy.Idon’tknowmuchaboutthatstrategic,locationbutitwas,asyousay,amostamazingsite,location,becauseyoucanseetheseafromthere,youcanseetheSolent,theIsleofWight…

Andy:Iimagine,communicationsinthosedays,lineofsightwasquiteimportant15.

Charlotte:Absolutely.Itwouldn’tjusthavebeena…butanyway,anenormousamountofbuildingwork,temporarybuildingwork,thatwassetupalloverthegrounds,thekitchengardenandallthatkindofthing…AndpoorEleanorhadtomoveout!Anyway,attheendofthewar,shewashopingtocomebackagainbutunfortunatelytheNavyfeltthatMercuryhadtocontinue,theyneededthesignalsstationandtheyworkedoutthattomoveitallwasgoingtobeincrediblyexpensive,buyinganewsiteandeverything,andtheydecidedthattheywantedtostayatLeydene,sotheycompulsorilypurchasedthehouseand120acresoffEleanorin1946or7for£60,000…(bothlaugh)butanyway…shewassoreluctantaboutit,shedidn’twanttogiveitup,butshedidlovefishingandshemovedtoScotland.SoMercurystayedatLeydene.

Appendix 4. Construction of Leydene House, 1921 - 1925 Wedon’tknowtheoriginofthiscollectionofphotosoftheconstructionofLeydenefrom1921–25(andtheremovalof furniture fromCoombeCross).The firstphotograph isprobablyarareimageofEleanor,theDowagerCountess.ThesecondmayincludeLordPeel,standing.

15Despiteitsstrategicposition,HMSMercurywasasignalsschoolandneverusedasasignalsstation


15


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17


18


19


20


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Appendix 5. Correspondence between Lady Diana Cavendish, granddaughter of Lord & Lady Peel, and Michael Blakstad. 05/04/2019,DianaCavendishtoMichaelBlakstad

Obviously my grandmother, Eleanor, is a very important figure in her own right. Not only is she an extraordinary eccentric, but she injected a great deal of money into the Peel family, whose fortune had been depleted by a series of gamblers. She did not like children, we never met her, and my brother when he was in Scotland, just before she died, called on her, and according to him she wasn’t very interested to meet him. By the way, my grandfather was William Robert Wellesley, always known as Willy. I love all your photos, which are new to me, and I might well come back to


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you to find out where they came from. Another point you might find interesting, is that Garston Farm, where my brother and sister-in-law lived, the architect was Lionel Esher, my sister-in-law’s mother met him in the West Indies and thought he would be a suitable architect, she was rather a snob, and liked the idea of him being a Lord.

09/04/2019,DianaCavendishtoMichaelBlakstad

DearMichael,asfarasIcanworkout,GarstonFarmwasbuiltformybrotherBrianandhiswifeabout1955.Aftertheestatewassoldoff,mymotherhadtobuybacktwofarms,oneforBrianandtheotherforhistwinbrotherDavid.IthinkitwascalledGoleighfarm?Heneverlivedthereastherewasn’tadecenthouse.

Mygrandmotherwasaverystrangeandeccentricperson.Whenshedied,sheleftnomoneytohersonanddaughter,alltofoundthecharitableTrust,whichyoumention.However,underScottishlaw,youcannotdisinherityourchildren,somyuncleandmymotherbroughtacasetoprovethatshewasdomiciledinScotland,whichtheywon,sosomeofthemoneydidtrickledowntothem.Perhapsthatiswhy,whenyoumentionthatMrJusticeBarnarddecreedcertainpassagesofthewillshouldbeomitted,itisreferringtomymotherandunclebeingcutoutofthewilloriginally.

Appendix 6. From Freddie Standfield’s book LordAshton.In1885hegaveabreakfastinLancaster,when10,000peoplesatdowntohisbaconandeggs,marmalade,butterandtea.HavingbeenelectedaLiberalMPin1886,heretiredfromparliamentinhisearly50s,onlytobeconfrontedwithpoliticalattacksalleginghehadboughthispeerage.

Stungbysuchhostilityduringthefirst1910election,hepubliclythreatenedtowithdrawfromeverycharityandorganisationtowhichhehadhithertosubscribed;athreatcarriedouttothefullwhentheattackswererepeatedatthefollowingyear’smunicipalelections…

HavingquarrelledviolentlywithLancastertowncouncil,matterswerepatchedupandhegenerouslybuiltamagnificentnewtownhall.But,priortoitscompletion,thecouncilannoyedhim,andhenotonlydeclinedtoattendtheopeningceremony,buteverafterrefusedeventolookatthebuilding,drawinghiscarriageblindswhenpassingby.Ashtondiedin1930aged87,leavingthethentremendousfortuneof£10,000,000,butnowill.So,afterthepaymentofdeathduties,hisonlychild,Eleanor,becameimmediatelyentitledtohalftheresidueoftheestate,plusareversionaryinterestintheotherhalf,expentantonthedeathofthewidow(histhirdwife).

Eleanor,bornin1872,wasmarriedin1899toWilliamRobertWelleslyPeel,grandsonofthefamousSirRobert,andsonofthefirstViscount,SpeakeroftheHouseofCommons.Herfather’smainweddinggiftwasasettlementof£800,000,probablyaningredientinan‘arranged’marriageratherthanalovematch.

LadyPeelhadpreviouslyhaddealingswithHooydonkBrotherswho,asDecorativeArtists,preparedandexecutedelaborateinteriorschemesforhomesofthe‘moneyedclasses’.Sheturnedtothisfirmtodesignacountrymansion,completewithdecorationsandfurnishings,thoughHooydonkBrotherscalledinLondonarchitectstopreparearchitecturaldrawingsoftheshellofthebuilding.…Thehousewasmagnificent,withitshugeandloftyentrancehall,backedbyahandsomewoodenstaircaseofunique


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design,andspacious,elegantreceptionrooms.Theserooms,andindeedallothermainrooms,hadbeautifullymouldedGeorgianstyleceilings,andthroughoutthebuildingtheimpressionwasofelegancewithoutvulgarity.HooydonkBrothersmorethanjustifiedthefaitplacedinthembyademandingemployer,thoughAugustevanHooydonk,onhisfrequentvisits,wasinvariablyfacedwithluncheonofcoldpheasant–nothisfavouritefood–because,accordingtoherladyship,thepheasantswereshotontheestateandshecouldnotaffordbutchers’prices.Nevertheless,HooydonkandEleanorPeelsetuparealandlastingfriendship’

Asforthegardenandpleasuregrounds,GeorgeCanningsworkedtherefor17years:

Tostartwiththerewere14gardeners,includingamanwholookedafterandworkedthehorseusedforhauling.Adonkeypulledthelawnmower.Iwasinthekitchengardennearlyallthetime,butalsocartedlargequantitiesofcokefromWestMeonrailwaystationforgreenhusefuel.Thekitchengardencomprisedsevenacres,plusanorghardandextensivegreenhouses,wheregrapes,peaches,nectarines,tomatoes,cucumbersandpottedplantsweregrown.Iwasalwayswelltreatedandcontentwithmy30saweekwageandrent-freecottageandfreefirewood.

From1927onwards,thesummerssawbrilliantweekendparties,theguestsonceincludingMrWinstonChurchillwhomLadyPeelsubsequentlydescribedas‘averyrudeman’.Inwinter,pheasantshootingwasorganisedbytheheadofthreegamekeepers,HarryDean,tallandheavilybuilt,withrosycheeksandgenialdisposition,andinvariablydressedinatraditionalheavytweedknickerbockersuit.Beatersincludedestateemployees,otherlocalmenandschoolboys.JackAburrowvividlyrecallssuchdayswhen,asaboyof12,andwearingshorttrousers,heenduredpainfulbramblescratchesonhisbarelegstoearn5sadayplusbread,cheeseandbeerforlunchand,iflucky,arabbitworth8dtotakehomeatdusk.

Asforthelifestyleandcharactersofthecouplewhocreatedwhatisthoughttobethelast‘purpose-built’Englishmansion,EastMeonpeople(apartfromemployees)sawlittleofLordPeel.HisdistinguishedpoliticalcareernecessitatedhavingaLondonhome,No34HollandPark,W1,wherehemostlylived,exceptforweekendsandparliamentaryvacations.Hispersonalchauffeur,ClementAllman,untilrecentlyfarming190acresnearLeydene,describeshimasaconsiderateemployer,thoughstrictaboutgoodtime-keeping.Whenhislordshipwasdriventootherpartsofthecountryinhis5.5litreDaimler,stayingovernightinthebesthotels,Allmanwassimilarlyaccommodated,andwheninLondonhadhisownflatat34HollandPark.

Apictureemergesofanessentiallyserious-mindedindividual,probablytoofullyoccupiedwithaffairsofstatetoregardLeydeneasmorethanamagnificent‘countryretreat’.Certainlyhewasakeenshot,notonlyatLeydenebiannuallyontheScottishgrousemoorsnearBeaufortCastle,andAllmanremembersPeel’sregularvisitstotheshootinggroundsofanInvernessgunsmithforawarm-upatclaypigeonstogethiseyeinbeforetacklinggrouse.Yetevenshootingpartieswereapparentlyameanstoanend,affordingopportunitiesfordiplomaticentertainmentofBritishandotherpoliticalpersonalities.

LadyPeelhadinheritedfromherfatheranactivebrain,outstandingfinancialacumen,apronouonceantipathytowardslocalauthoritiesand(inoldageatleast)anurgeto


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benefitcertaincharitablecauses.Puzzling,though,wasanextremereservealmostamountingtopathologicalshyness.SheabhorredLondon,wasafreshairfanatic,habituallydressedlikaatrampinankle-lengthshabbyblackclothes,butfoundsomedegreeofcontentmentatLeydene,thoughpreferringtheevengreaterisolationavailableinScotland.Motherofasonanddaughter,shehadnolikingforchildren,herownorotherpeople’s.

In1928shewasatwarwiththethenlocalauthority,PetersfieldR.D.C,whomshesuedfor£7.17.7d,beingthe‘estimatedcostofkeepingsixvisitorsforfourdaysinexcessoftheirinvitation’,throughthecouncil’sfailuretoclearsnowboundroads.!

Forher,lifeatLeydenetendedtobequiet,perhapslonely.ApartfromafriendshipwithLadyandMissDuBoulay,heretenantsatwhatwasthenUpperHouse,Oxenbourne(nowOxenbourneHouse),sheseemedwithoutlocalfriends.Onatypicalnon-entertainingday,shewouldappearoutsidethemansionaboutmid-morning,carryingalargebasketfilledwithbreadandtoast.Afterinspectingtherainfallgaugeandweatherchart,sheinvariablymetandspoke,oftenatlength,withTyrode,nowtheheadofthreechauffeurs(excludingAllan,hislordship’schauffeur,usuallyinLondon).Nextcameashorterconversationwiththeheadgardener,whoalwayshad11ormoreothergardenersunderhim.ButtheclimaxofthemorningwasavisittoherherdofpedigreeSaddlebackpigs,eachofwhichhaditsownname–therecipientsofthebreadandtoast.16

LeonardCannings,cousinofGeorgeCanningsandlivingatCoombeCrossCottages,wasoneofthegardenersfromabout1922till1939,workingintheglasshouses,theninthekitchengarden,andalsotendingpigs.

Herladyshipwasveryfondofherpigs,andwhenasowhadtobetakenbylorrytobematedwithaprizeboar,shewouldtravelwithittoensureallwentaccordingtoplan.IalsorememberanoccasionwhenIwastrimmingthegrassedgesofsmallcirclescutinthelawnwheretreesandshrubswereplanted,whenIrealisedherladyship,watchinhand,wasstandingbesideme.Imusthavelookedstartled,becauseshesaidshewastimingeachtrimmingcircleoperationsoastocalculatehowlongitwouldtaketodoallthecircles.Anotherpeculiararrangementaffectingmyjobarosewhenthegroundwereopenedtothepublic,andwegardeners,havinghadtoputinovertimebeforehand,wereeachpaidanextra5sincashwiththebalanceofourwageentitlementinkind–tomatoes!

LenCannings’wife,Edith,employedasakitchenmaidatLeydenefrom1926to1930,providesaglimpseoflifecompletelyinthe‘upstairs,downstairs’tradition.

‘Thecookhadherownsittingroom,andIthinkthelady’smaidhadherstoo.Intheservants’hallthebutlerpresidedovertwofootmen,fourhousemaids,andthehallboy,butIanthescullerymadewerethelowestofthelow,andnotallowedtousetheservants’hall.Ouronlysittingroomwasthekitchen.WhenLadyPeelwasaloneatLeydene,sheoftenknitted,readandlistenedtothewirelessallatthesametime,andfrequentlyhadnothingbutabowlofsoupforlunch,usuallyservedonanoutdoorverandah,irrespectiveoftheweather.SometimesIwastakenbyroadto34HollandParkforafewdays,withahousemaid,afootmanandthelady’smaid.

16StraightoutofP.G.Wodehouse–theEmpressofBlandings,favouritepigofLordEmsworth!


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MrTyrodedroveanopencar,LadyPeelsatinthefrontseatbesidehimdoingacrosswordpuzzle,andtherestofusinthebackwerealmostfrozentodeath.InthefouryearsIwasinheremployIcannotrememberLadyPeeleverspeakingdirectlytome.’

AfterbuyingtheestateonwhichLeydenewasbuilt,EleanorPeelacquirednumerousadjacentfarmsandestatesuntilherlandempirecomprisedover10,300acres.Takingapracticalinterestinitsmanagement,shefrequentlyaccompaniedapartnerofheragents,HewittandLee,whenmatterssuchasrepairs,improvementsandrentadjustmentsnecessitatedfarminspections.Thoughhabituallystrikingahardbargain,andrightlydescribedas‘closewithhermoney’,shewasagoodlandlordinthesensethatrepairsorimprovementsthatwereherresponsibilitywerealwayscarriedouttoahighstandard.Butcontactwithtenantsonapersonallevelwas,withoneexception,virtuallynon-existent.Indeed,shewouldgooutofherwaytoavoidcasualmeetingswitheveryone,whethertheywerestaff,tenants,orothercountryfold.TheexceptionwasCecilKille,tenantofStoneylandsFarm,whosupplieddairyproducetoLeydene.Hewaswidelyregardedasher‘favourite’,buthisdaughter(nowMrsJoanWalther),whoasachildrodeherponytothebighousewithurgentdeliveriesofcreamofwhateverwasneededatshortnotice,thinksLadyPeelsimplyrespectedherfather’shard-workingandthriftycharacter.

Eachsummer,thePeelsandmostdomesticstafffromLeydeneand34HollandParkheadednorthforaprolongedstayinScotland,usuallyatBeaufortCastle,Inverness-shire.Stafftravelledbynighttrain,andonarrivalhadadayoffdutytorecover,thenworkedfor11weekswithoutbreak,occasionallyuntimidnight,untilrewardedwithanotherdayoffbeforereturningtoLondon.ThePeelstravelledbycar,sometimescallingatLancasterenroute,forbusinessconferencesrelatingtothelinoleumbusiness.FollowingLordAshton’sdeath,Eleanorsatisfiedherfather’swishandherownbusinessabilitybybecominggoverningdirectorofthecompany,withherhusbandaschairman.Thebusinesscontinuedtoprosper.

InScotland,whenPeelwasleadinggrouse-shootingpartiesonthemoors,Eleanorneverjoinedtheseexpeditions,goingsalmonfishinginsteadwithTyrode,whosepositioninthehouseholdwasbecomingincreasinglyimportant.“OfficiallyIwaschauffeur,butitmightbemorecorrecttodescribemyjobasthebufferbetweenLadyPeelandthesocialworldshedidn’tcarealotfor”.SoperhapsitwasunsurprisingthatTyrode,too,becameasalmonfisherman,sharingthesportwithhisemployer,andalsomakingasecondfishingtriptoScotlandwithhereachspring.

In1937,LordPeeldiedatLeydene,aged70,andwasburiedinEastMeonchurchyard,havingshownvirtuallynointerestinlocalaffairs.Twoyearslater,EleanorboughtHendersyde,afamous16,000acreestateinSouthernScotland.Dislikingtheexistingmansion,shepromptlypulleditdownandbuiltamoremodernresidence;but,reluctanttomisstheTweed’ssalmonfishingseasonduringtherebuilding,stayedinacottagebytheriver,thehomeofelderlyMrandMrsA.Brown,whereshe‘livedinthemostsimplefashion,justlikeanyofthevillagefolk’.

Eleanor,DowagerCountessPeel,diedatHendersydeParkon9thNovember1949,aged77,survivedbyherson,thesecondearl,andherdaugherLadyDorisBlackerand,likeherhusband,shewasburiedatEastMeon.Herestate,estimatedatoverfourmillionpounds,wascutbydeathdutiestojustunderonemillion,which,afterpaymentof


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modestlegaciesandannuities,becameatrustfund,theincomefromwhichwasparticularlytobenefit‘oldpeopleandneedycaseswherepeoplehavefallenonevildaysthroughnofaultoftheirown.’Signficantly,herwillprecludedgrantsto‘charitablebodiesprimarilydevotedtochildren,orwhichareunderthecontrolofthecentraloranylocalgovernment’.Thecapitalvalueofthetrustfundhassincerisentoovertwomillionpounds17andincomefor1982comfortablyexceeded£200,000.Leydeneand100acreshadbeenboughtbytheAdmiraltyin1949andinMay1953,theremainderoftheestatewassoldbyauctionin51lots,manyofwhichweregratefullyacquiredbysittingtenantfarmers.Anerahadended.

LewisTyrode,thegrocer’sboywhofor44yearsworkedastrustedchauffeur,friendandright-handman,andperhapsknewandunderstoodLadyPeelbetterthananyotherlivingperson,wasrewardedbyhismulti-millionairessemployerwithanannuityof£5aweek.EthelLoasby,hermaidfor20years,receivedalegacyof£400andMrsHBrown,widowofherboatman,hadanannuityof£2aweek.AlmostthelastwordcamefromtheHighCourtwhich,inthepersonofMrJusticeBarnard,decreedthatcertainpassagesinthewillwhichwouldcause‘painandembarrassment’shouldbeomittedwhenprobatewasgrantedandthewill’scontentsmadepublic.

17Writtenin1984


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Appendix 6 HMS Mercury From‘AHistoryoftheLeydeneSite’byRussellSearleofRJDTechnology,withwhosepermissionwecanuseextracts

Pre-1941theprimaryNavalSignalSchoolwassituatedinHMDockyardPortsmouth,nearH.M.S.Victory.In1938,therehadbeenplanstomovetheSignalSchooloutofPortsmouthtoStamshaw,itsnewnamewouldhavebeenHMSSwiftsure.TheseplanswereshelvedduetotheoutbreakoftheSecondWorldWar(WWII)inSeptember1939.

ThehugeincreaseinnumbersofpersonnelrequiringcommunicationstrainingfollowingtheoutbreakofWWII,andthegeographicdiversityofthefleetanddockyards,resultedinahostofadditionalsignalstrainingestablishmentsbeingsetup.AlistoftheseNavalsignalschoolsisatAnnexB.

HeavybombinganddamageofDockyardbuildingsandthesurroundingareas,during1940and1941,imposedsevererestrictionsoncommunicationstraining.Thestaffandstudentsoftheschoolwererequiredduringthenightstoprovidefirepartiesandsentriesonthedockyardwalls.On10March,averyheavyraidcausedalmosttotaldestructionoftheDockyardandH.M.S.Vernon.

Thedecisionwasthenmadetomovetraining,researchandaccommodationfacilitiesawayfromthePortsmoutharea.

TheExperimentalSectionhadalreadymovedtoLytheHillHouseatHaslemere,andKingEdwardSchoolatWitley.TheradioandheadquarterssectionswenttoLytheHillandradarsectiontoWitley.Thereasonforthiswastwo-fold.Firsttherapid


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developmentoftechnologysuchasradio,radarandHF/DFhadexpandedthesectionandsecondly,thebombinghaddamagedtheworkshops.

Thissplitoftheexperimentalsectionsfromthetrainingsection,lostoneofthegreatadvantagesoftheschool,thatofenablingthetrainerstokeepuptodateonlatestdevelopmentsandoftheresearcherstoknowwhatthe‘users’wanted.

LeydeneHouseandestate,hadbeenearmarkedforrequisitioningsince4November1940,initiallybytheMinistryofHealth,butlaterasanaccommodationsitefortheSignalSchool

On19April1941,approvalwasgivenbytheAdmiraltytorequisitionLeydenehouseandestateandon20April,theChiefSurveyorofLandsmadeasignalstatingpossessioncouldtakenforthwith.

On22April,CaptainG.H.Warner,whohadassumedcommandoftheSignalSchoolthepreviousday,visitedLeydeneHouse,toestablishwhatneededtobedonetoaccommodatetheschool.LadyPeelreluctantlyagreedtothearrangementandremainedinherestateinScotland,lettingheragentdealwithallthenecessarydetails.

WhilearrangementswerebeingmadeforthetransferoftheSignalSchool,alandminewasdroppedonthesite.However,thiswasthelasthostileactoftheGermansagainstLeydene.PriortothemovetoLeydene,workingpartiesarrivedtopreparethesiteforoccupation.Tentsforaccommodationhadtobeerectedandtheinteriorofthehousehadtoberearrangedintoclassrooms,officesandvariousmesses.Thegaragecomplexwasconvertedintofiveclassroomsbybrickinguptheentrancesandprovidingaccessbetweenthem.

Oneofthefirstworkingpartiesofjuniorratingsusedthelargekitchenasamessandslungtheirhammocksbetweenthelegsofthebigupturnedkitchentables.ArrangementsweremadeforthestorageofLadyPeel’sfurnitureandpossibleemploymentofherestatestaff.ContractswerealsoawardedfortheerectionofNissenhuts.Also,duplicateclassroomequipmentandinstructionalequipmentneededtobefoundandputinplacetoreducelosttrainingtimetoaminimum.

On16August1941,theLeydenesitewascommissionedasHMSMercuryandtheSignalSchoolmovedlockstockandbarreltoitsnewenvironment.Onlyonetrainingdayhadbeenlost.

Thefirstcontingentofratingsnumbered300.TheywereaccommodatedinbelltentsandmessedinLeydeneHouse.Untilalternativebuildingscouldbeconstructed,theMainHousewasusedforallpurposes;messes,classroomsanddomesticusage.Duringtheautumnandwinterof1941,Nissenhutswereerected,alongtheareasouthoftheDroxfordRoadandbecameknownasWestandEastCamps,separatedbythegarages.


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Thefirstsemi-permanentbuildingstobeconstructedcommencedinApril1944andweretheclassroomsofNorthCamp.However,thelandwasnotactuallyrequisitioneduntilJanuary1945.ThesewereMinistryofWarbuilding(MOWB)stylehutsandtheareawaseventuallycompletedin1947.Itcomprisedoftwoareas,separatedbytheancientCrossDykes,whichwascrossedbytwofootpathsatthenorthandsouthendsofthecamp.InitiallythesebuildingswereusedforthetrainingofRNVRofficersinW/TandRadioMechanics.Later,thenortheasternpartofthecampbecamehometothe‘S’branchandEWsections.


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AWardroomannexwasconstructedtothesouthoftheMainHouseandcompletedon12February1943atacostof£861andbecameknownasSiberiaBlock.Thisblockwascapableofaccommodating19juniorofficersincrampedsinglecabins.

Thefirstamenitybuilding,alargeNissenstylestructure,wascompletedalongtheroadfromtheMainGate,inJuly1943andwasusedasacinema,theatreandassemblyhall.TheinteriorwascompletelyrefurbishedinAugust1961,usingagenerousgrantof£2,000fromtheNuffieldTrust.

(ThereisagreatdealmoreinformationaboutthedevelopmentoftheLeydenesitebytheNavy)

Documents

History of Leydene House€¦ · This report is mainly a distillation of memoirs and records which have been transcribed and attached as appendices. A marriage is arranged In the