Ashridge House searches for babies born there during World War Two

A stately home that was used as a hospital during World War Two is attempting to find the babies who were born there.

During the war, Ashridge House, near Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, became an extension of the emergency wing of Charing Cross Hospital in London.

Expectant mothers were moved to the house due to air raids in the capital.

The house wants to mark the upcoming 80th anniversary of D-Day by tracking down those who were born there.

Lucy Le Gassicke, from Ashridge House, said: "We want to hear the untold stories of the babies born [here] during the war."

The property used to be a royal residence of King Henry VIII.

It has been used more recently for filming movies such as The Dirty Dozen, television show The Crown and Sam Smith's music video for I'm Not Here to Make Friends.

During World War Two it is believed 2,700 babies were born in the maternity wing of the property, in the comparative safety of the Hertfordshire countryside.

Ms Le Gassicke said the Grade-I listed house was "seeking those babies or their families, children or grandchildren and asking them to get in touch with us".

She added: "We'd love them to join us at a special occasion this summer to help celebrate such a significant part of our history and the country's history at Ashridge House."

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