The Angels of Englemere Wood: The uplifting and inspiring true story of a children’s home during the Blitz

by Karen Farrington

Pre-order now to discover the inspiring, uplifting true story of a group of London girls dispatched to a children's home in rural England during the Blitz, and meet the formidable matron who transformed their livesLife in Britain between the two world wars was arduous and daunting. Working people laboured to stave off the spectres of disease, hunger and homelessness, and against this troubled backdrop, children inevitably came off worst. This is the true story of a group of poor London girls who, to escape the merciless bombing of the Luftwaffe, were dispatched to a children's home in Ascot. Where once they heard the throb of railways and tasted the smoke of locomotives, now there was birdsong and a whole new set of escapades to enjoy. And under the care of the formidable but kindly Matron Doris Bailey - the Angel of Englemere - the lives of the girls were utterly transformed.Through first-hand accounts from the surviving girls, their stories and anecdotes shed light on life at the time - from the emotional upheaval of evacuation, rationing and royalty, love and loss, and adventures on the royal grounds of their new home - recounting the people who came into the orbit of girls, from princesses to socialites, and above all, the work of one woman who helped save a generation.

352 pages, Paperback

Published March 16, 2023

About the author

Karen Farrington is a former journalist who has contributed to numerous publications on military history. She has also written extensively on assassinations, natural disasters, & religion.

Reviews

[Shelley Cummings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting! Loved the way this book was written telling the story of the ‘waifs and strays’ of the individual girls living in Englemere Wood. The highs and lows, the care and love given to them by women so dedicated they gave up their own lives to look after them and the circle they maintained after they left the home. Compare it to todays care homes for young people and it proves we have got it so wrong today. A definite must read.

[Emma Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully written, captivating and engaging whilst also being incredibly informative. You end up feeling close to the girls and the 'Angels' of Englemere Wood, as though you knew them personally. What a beautiful story and a reminder to appreciate what we have and all that happened prior to, during and shortly after the world wars.

[Sheena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting to read about the dedication Matron Bailey gave for the whole of her life to girls abandoned or neglected by their parents and with no prospects. Her method of tough love seemed to work and turn these girls lives around. They were lucky to have such a lovely home as Englemere Wood to grow up in which was such a contrast to the poverty into which they were born.

[Lorna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative and interesting.

[Susan Molson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting insight into the war time evacuees and how a little love and care enabled the girls to flourish in later life.