100 jaar geleden: De Belgische vluchtelingen (WW1 Belgian refugees)
Ik kwam dit artikel vandaag tegen in een lokale Engelse krant: The Belgians suffered terribly during the invasion and many fled. It is estimated that over 250,000 of them came to Britain which was eager to offer refuge. The government asked local authorities to help in placing them and Morley, as an independent borough at this time, answered the call. The Mayor, Brian Bradley Barker, a textile magnate like many of the councillors in those days, made a public appeal and a funding campaign was set up in the town. Over the course of the war, over £1,170 was raised but most of the help came when former Town Clerk, Richard Borrough Hopkins, offered to house some refugees in Morley Hall (now to be seen overlooking Scarth Gardens in central Morley). (...) It is very odd that this man who made so many property deals in his life should allow the house to remain empty. Nevertheless, when the town was asked to support the Belgian refugees he immediately offered it, rent fr...