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Wartime evacuee babies reunite at historic hospital

Ashridge House Maternity ward in WW2Ashridge House
About 2,700 babies were born during the war at the makeshift hospital in Ashridge, Hertfordshire

A generation of wartime babies have reunited at the stately home where they were born.

Ashridge House in Hertfordshire served as a temporary maternity hospital during World War Two, providing a safe haven for mothers escaping air raids in London.

From 1939, 2,700 babies were delivered at the historic Grade I listed site previously home to King Henry VIII.

On Sunday, 100 of those gathered for an event to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day

James Mason Ashridge babies reunionJames Mason
The reunited Ashridge babies gathering to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day

Margaret Wilkins, 100, attended the celebration with her daughter Ros Ford, who was born in 1945.

Ms Ford said her mother had good memories of giving birth to her at Ashridge House.

"Mum said that she was wheeled out on a trolley, in November. It was the first time she’d experienced an electrical blanket.

"She remembers a lady going in every day with a wind-up gramophone and doing exercises with them as they had to lie on their beds."

Ros Ford Ros as a baby with mum MargaretRos Ford
Baby Ros was born at Ashridge House in 1945
James Mason Ros and MargaretJames Mason
Margaret, who is 100, returns to the place where her daughter Ros was born

Ros said she often visited Ashridge House, especially around her birthday time.

"It's a meaningful place to me," she said.

"We are really looking forward to coming, it will be very special. We’ll be able to make more memories."

James Mason Brian and Margaret PriorJames Mason
Married couple Brian and Maureen Prior were both born at Ashridge House during the war

Brian and Maureen Prior, from Chesham, were both born at the makeshift hospital, but did not discover the connection until after they got married.

Maureen said they did not know a lot about the wartime hospital, "as we never thought to ask our mums".

"I think mum had a bit of a hard time having me, and she didn’t talk about it much. I remember her saying the matron was strict," she added.

Maureen said it would be "quite special" to meet other people who started life at Ashridge House and "perhaps see where we were born".

Ashridge House Ariel view of Ashridge HouseAshridge House
Ashridge House, originally home to King Henry VIII, also provided emergency care for soldiers during the war

Brian said the reunion event would be "really wonderful".

"Ashridge has been a well-known property to us, a stately home in a beautiful setting," he said.

"It will be a delight to meet people we’ve known for years, but didn’t realise they were born at Ashridge."

David Evans, managing director at Ashridge House, said: "This event offers a unique opportunity to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and look forward to the future."

The building is currently used for conferences, events and as a wedding venue.

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