| Description | 2 pieces:
Letter 1 is from the Belgian consulate to the Duke, dated 17 Oct 1914, in which he records the current intake of Belgian refugees as of this date in Sheffield: Shirle Hall (50); Firvale (60); Upperthorpe (10); Hostel (50); Ecclesall (50), plus a special family of 7 in Firvale, 119 the night before last, 27 the day before that, so totalling 373 for the week.
Letter 2 is from the Belgian consulate to the Duke, dated 30 Oct 1914, in which he thanks the Duke for his offer of Derwent Hall for use of Belgian refugees. Approves of the house but expresses concern over its proximity to the waterworks, mentioning how cottages in Redmires had already been refused due to their proximity to the reservoir and citing fears about German spies infiltrating the refugees. Also mentions how there are ‘currently 1200 Belgian Refugees and wounded soldiers in Sheffield so that we are doing fairly well’. |