Refugees at Alexandra Palace
Conceived and popularly known as the 'People's Palace', Alexandra Palace took on a new role during the First World War as a home for refugees fleeing Belgium and the Netherlands.
Drying Washing on the South Front Gardens (1914)Original Source: Alexandra Park and Palace Collection at Bruce Castle Museum
Alexandra Palace had been in public ownership as 'a place of public resort' since a 1900 Act of Parliament, closing only during the nationwide upheaval of the First World War.
Arrival
Throughout the First World War an estimated 250,000 Belgian refugees arrived in the UK, the largest single influx in the country's history. Refugees spread across the country. Elisabethville in Birtley, Tyne and Wear was purpose built to house the new arrivals. Many came first to Alexandra Palace in London.
Sailors Who Brought Refugees to Folkestone (1914)Original Source: Alexandra Park and Palace Collection at Bruce Castle Museum
Sailors helped transport the many people fleeing the continent. 16,000 arrived at Folkestone in Kent on October 14, 1914 alone.
The Orchestra - The Baggage Department (1914)Original Source: Alexandra Park and Palace Collection at Bruce Castle Museum
With its large spaces and direct train-line, Alexandra Palace became a sorting centre for the new arrivals. Many arrived with luggage and personal belongings.
Belgian children made orphans by the war (1914/1915) by Underwood & UnderwoodAlexandra Palace
Others arrived alone.
People's Palace
Alexandra Palace, despite its name, had never been a royal residence and was designed as an exhibition and entertainment complex. Covering 7.5 acres, the building had the space to hold thousands but was never designed for living accommodation.
Beds laid out in the Great Hall (1914/1915)Original Source: Hornsey Historical Society
Beds filled the Great Hall and Exhibition Hall, creating vast dormitories.
The Bazaar Dormitory (1914)Original Source: Alexandra Park and Palace Collection at Bruce Castle Museum
The Hospital (1914)Original Source: Alexandra Park and Palace Collection at Bruce Castle Museum
New facilities had to be hastily built. The hospital occupied a former theatre, with the stage still in place.
Refugee dining in West Corridor (1914/1919)Original Source: Hornsey Historical Society
Whilst not designed for residency, the Palace was well equipped to cater for thousands at any time. It is thought that its catering facilities had been the largest on a single site in Europe on opening.
The Conservatory as a Drying Ground in Wet Weather (1914)Original Source: Alexandra Park and Palace Collection at Bruce Castle Museum
All areas of the Palace were put to use to meet domestic needs.
Life Goes On
Within six months, 38,000 men, women and children passed through Alexandra Palace. Albert Alexander was born onsite and named after the Palace. Refugees aided Alexandra Palace staff, and throughout the war 60,000 Belgians worked in the UK.
The Daily Task (1914)Original Source: Alexandra Park and Palace Collection at Bruce Castle Museum
Refugees helped to maintain the Palace.
Some of the Belgians Who Helped the Catering Staff (1914)Original Source: Alexandra Park and Palace Collection at Bruce Castle Museum
And the catering staff were supported in feeding the swelling number of arrivals.
Public Support
The plight of refugees was used to bolster public support for the war effort and to encourage anti-German sentiment.
The Men's Clothing Department (1914)Original Source: Alexandra Park and Palace Collection at Bruce Castle Museum
Donations of clothes, shoes and toys from the public were dispensed to arrivals.
Clothes Donated to Refugees (1914)Alexandra Palace
The War Refugee Committee received 100,000 offers for accommodation after a public appeal.
Christmas Tree 1914 (1914)Original Source: Alexandra Park and Palace Collection at Bruce Castle Museum
Chairman of the Alexandra Palace Trust, Edwin Sloper and his wife were heavily involved in organising clothing donations. At Christmas he dressed as Father Christmas and handed gifts to the children.
The Belgian Minister Thanking Her Majesty (1914)Original Source: Alexandra Park and Palace Collection at Bruce Castle Museum
The press covered Queen Mary's visit to see the accommodation and meet the Belgian minister at Alexandra Palace.
Belgian Refugees Housed in Alexandra Palace (1914/1915) by Keystone View CompanyAlexandra Palace
As the war drew on public sentiment waned. Alexandra Palace changed roles, becoming an internment camp for German, Austrian and Hungarian 'enemy aliens' for the remainder of the war.
In 1917 the British Government set up a repatriation committee and by 1921 90% of Belgian refugees had returned home.
The Palace reopened to the public in 1922, however less than 20 years later it would once again become a distribution centre for refugees and evacuated troops from Dunkirk.
Curator: James White
