A haven from the horrors of war

Feb 18 2010

ABOUT 3,000 Belgian refugees received shelter and accommodation in the Empress Hall at Earl's Court during the First World War.

Others found themselves billeted with local people. Some of the children were educated at Earl's Court, as seen in this photograph, or at Fulham County School, and other places were found for about 300 children at St Thomas of Canterbury RC School.

Plaques commemorating their stay in Fulham and their link with St Thomas' School and Church were erected at Fulham Town Hall and at the church. From Hammersmith & Fulham: The Twentieth Century by Christine Bayliss and Jane Kimber ISBN 0-7509-2040-8