PLYMOUTH |
The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History |
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DEVON AND CORNWALL (EX-SERVICE) TUBERCULOSIS COLONY
Usually known as Efford Colony, this open-air hospital was formed for the benefit of service men and their families who had contracted tuberculosis (TB) during the Great War (1914-18). About thirty families were engaged in poultry farming, light woodwork and boot repairing during their stay. It could accommodate 102 trainees and 48 resident families. The Colony was started in 1923 but was officially opened by HRH the Prince George on the afternoon of Tuesday July 29th 1924. Prince George had unveiled the Plymouth Naval Memorial on Plymouth Hoe in the morning. When he arrived at the gate to the Colony he was welcomed by the president, Sir Henry Y B Lopes, and the vice-president, Mr J C Williams, Lord-Lieutenant of Cornwall, and was then introduced to Mr R Priest, who had donated the gate, and Mr F O Roberts, MP, Minister of Pensions, amongst others. Captain A G Hamilton, DSO RN, was in charge of the arrangements and music was supplied by the Band of the Somerset Light Infantry. The Mayor of Plymouth, Mr Solomon Stephens, was in attendance as were the Mayors of Honiton and Totnes. Before he left the grounds the Prince signed an autograph book offered by a little girl, who was also fortunate to get the signature of Lady Astor as well. [1] Discontinuance of funding from the then British Legion, to the tune of £350 a year, brought about its closure at the end of September 1935. At the last annual meeting of the Colony on Monday March 4th 1935, it was said that the average population of the Colony had been 95 people and there were at that time 56 children who would have to be found accommodation when it closed. [2] Sources (incomplete):
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