St Edward’s Home for Boys was built in 1904 by a Catholic priest – Father Hudson. It was basically just that – a home for boys – usually given up by their poor parents. He died in 1936 and is buried in the grounds.
Father Hudson also had a home in Canada and many boys were sent there from the Midlands. This finished in 1935, but a few years later many boys were forced to emigrate to Australia instead, ending in 1955. In 1998 a priest who was in charge of the school was jailed – convicted of 18 cases of abusing children between 1957 and 1965 – he was jailed for 7 years. In 2001 he died in jail, a few months after the Pope stripped him of his rights as a priest.
The building has remained empty since 1996 and there are calls to demolish it because of it’s chequered history.
Hall & Chapel
Being a Catholic school, there was a place for religious activities. And being a school, also a school hall…
Corridors, stairs & rooms
There was a lot of fantastic wooden panelling in various rooms and corridors
Cookery
There was a large kitchen here – full of retro-looking Aga ovens, huge boiling machines, rows of sinks. Reminded me of home economics lessons…
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Atmospheric stuff. Well captured, too.
Where in EA is this place?
Had a quick look around the home last night, very atmospheric indeed, we are thinking of going back to explore the whole building.
Father Hudson’s body was exhumed from the grounds of the home and is now buried in the nearby Church ( to make way for St Joseph’s care home )
I was a resident from 1939 to 1952.It was a sad place to grow up in.I find it difficult to draw on memories from these pictures.Is it possible to obtain photos of times past? Thanks for these.
Terence, I was resident there from 1939 to 1943. I was in Sister St. Anne’s house, just before going across to St. Edwards. I remember Jack Shearon and the two Lynas brother, Hugh & James, and when the bomb fell in the school playground. There were no air-raid shelters, and the concussion lifted us up off our mattresses on the ground floor at the back of the house. Anyone else remember?
I am interested to find missing relatives whom I think may have been here and emigrated to Canada between 1901 and 1911. Is it possible to obtain a list of inmates for that time period please?
Thanks, Maggie
i was st edwards for 17 yaers
1962 to 1975. i rember it well
I was there from 1956 to 1959 along with my 2 older brothers it has brought back a lot of memories some sad and some happy I have a photo of the three of us standing in the play ground area I would like to see some photos of this if anyone has some .
Thanks
Hi Terry,remember the Murphys. We were there 1948 to 1952,then moved on to St Vincents.Do you remember Sr Rose, the Duck and Butcher. Happy Days
I am trying to trace the journey made from the home in approx 1914 to CANADA of my uncle Albert Harvey.Where can I obtain this info?