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Hollycombe House - Anne Eck (14th Jan 2007  14:54:20) I lived at Hollycombe House for at least 4 years of my childhood, during WW11.The Sisters of Charity harbored children (girls) there. The house and grounds are woven into my history, and my children , all grown now, have heard my fond tales. Is there any access to the House and grounds? I live in San Jose, California now, but would plan a trip to England if I knew I could visit Hollycombe. Lord andLady Rhea (sp?)owned the house when we were there. Thank you for any information you can give me. Anne Eck

Re: Hollycombe House - Allan (14th Jan 2007  14:54:58) Hello Anne, Heavens, it's been a while since you stayed at Hollycombe. I cannot personally answer your enquiries in too much detail, but I know of someone who can. Give me a ring on 01428 723218, or e-mail me on allan@theblackfoxinn.co.uk and I will be delighted to pass contact details on. It's really good to hear your interest from so far away Best regards, Allan.

Re: Hollycombe House - Pat Snell .NEE Patricia Ringer (17th Mar 2013  10:56:11) I was living in Hollycombe House with the Sister's of Charity from 1945-1947 during the war,at this time the House was owned by Lord & Lady Raine, I was 8-10 years old at the time, the open-air-School moved back to St.Leonards-on-sea, after the war. Where I spent another 2 years. It was very exciting to find someone else who had been there, I would love to make contact with anyone who was there. Kind regards Pat Snell.

Re: Hollycombe House - Kathe Fovargue (15th Sep 2013  20:42:11) I am amazed to have run across this thread that ties in with an enquiry I made several years ago. I would love to talk to anyone who knows about Hollycombe House and the "open air hospital" for girls run by the Sisters of Charity during WWII. I spent almost a year there when I was 5-6 years old, along with two older sisters. I am anxious to find out whether it is possible to visit the manor or how I might obtain records about the operation. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Please contact me by email at: boh1066aat@hotmail.com if you have any information. Kathe Fovargue

Re: Hollycombe House - Hilda May (Easterbrook) Cook (8th Jun 2014  00:47:31) I was at a convalescence home in Liphook.during the war. I was there for four years. I was recovering from TB. I did not realise it was called Hollycombe House. I remember Sister Catherine and Sister Gabriel who was very strict. I did not see my parents during my stay as they were told I was there long term and it would only upset me. However, I did think this was where I was going to stay forever after the first three weeks of crying. When I went to this home I was only four and half years. There seemed to be many girls there. When I first entered the home with Sister Catherine, I saw long wooden tables with girls having tea, bread with jam, but no butter. Of course it was war days. I can remember every morning an urn containing ovaltine being served which I liked. Also a spoon of malt; we had to kneel down before Sister Claire and open our mouth wide for it to be delivered. During the week we had a uniform if we went out walking. On Saturdays a dress was put at the head of the bed which I looked forward to. Many of the girls said the home was haunted. I was asked if I was a Catholic or Protestant, I could not pronounce Protestant and so I was brought up and confirmed very young as a Catholic. I can remember wearing a white dress that one of the nuns made for me. I could go and on as my memory of the home is quite good. Have you memories I could share with you. Kind regards, Hikda

Re: Hollycombe House - Susie (13th Jun 2014  12:29:01) Thank you for writing down your memories, my friend and I were discussing it over coffee today how much we had enjoyed reading about Hollycombe House. Can anyone add to these? We'd like to hear more.

Re: Hollycombe House - Anne Eck nee Cahain (6th Jul 2014  22:41:05) I was sent to the St Leonards-on-sea house when I was 2, then the war started and the whole house moved to Hollycombe. I left there in 1945 (I was 10). I remember Sister Catherine, Sr Magdalen, Sr Louise, all wonderful women. I have often wondered what happened to everyone. Believe it or not, I was homesick for Hollycombe. I can remember quite a few names of girls, but wont put them out there right now. Love to hear your stories. Anne Eck

Re: Hollycombe House - Gill Carson (21st Jul 2015  18:29:32) My mother and her twin sister were at this school during 1941/42. She often talks about how much she enjoyed being there. She wasn\'t ill - but went there to be with her 14 year old twin sister. She has lots of memories and stories if anyone is interested. They were called Betty and Pat - if anyone remembers them.

Re: Hollycombe House - Shirley horton nee titheridge (16th Aug 2015  20:48:01) having been moved to several homes came to live at hollycombe house in 42 43 I lived there for just over a year I loved it think of its.beauty and wonderful countryside Sister Kathrine in particular happy days

Re: Hollycombe House - sm (18th Oct 2015  12:41:24) My mother was at Hollycombe House during the war. I have a photograph album containing group and individual photos of many of her fellow inhabitants.

Re: Hollycombe House - Doreen (12th Aug 2016  05:59:00) I remember Hollycombe House very well, Sister Catherine was my teacher when I was there nearly 2 years during the war. I was sorry to leave in the end. I visited Liphook few years ago when on holiday from Australia, but was unable to go inside the house, However we took a photo, from the same spot my Dad took a photo all those years ago. I remember lots about that lovely place and my time there.

Re: Hollycombe House - Janet Jones (17th Feb 2017  23:33:09) I am researching the life of my 3x Great Grandfather and have discovered that he worked for Sir Charles Taylor at Hollycombe and lived for some time in the Linch/Liphook area. My ancestor is listed as 'butler' in some records. Does anyone know if there are household records from 1800-1850 still in existence? I would be fascinated to know more. My email address is janet.jones@waitrose.com Thank you in anticipation!

Re: Hollycombe House - Gilly (18th Feb 2017  10:34:50) These are wonderful memories! How interesting it would be if one of the editors of the Liphook Community Magazine might get in touch with these ladies and put together an article? I'm sure it's been done before, but it would be great to read again. I hope you are all able to get in touch and rekindle stories. I think it is owned by the Hoare family now - of Hoare's private banking fame

Re: Hollycombe House - Terry (18th Feb 2017  15:13:22) Janet Jones. Hollycombe House has quite a chequered history, and because of it I suspect there is unfortunately very little, if anything at all, by way of household records covering the period you are interested in. Though I'd be happy to be proven wrong! In 1781 John Utterson purchased the manor of Rogate Bohunt, and in 1813 Sir Charles Taylor, of Hollycombe, acquired Rogate Bohunt from Edward Vernon Utterson, the son of John Utterson. Taylor had already built his “manor-house” at Hollycombe on land he purchased from Edward Utterson. Over a period of years Taylor sold off large sections of the Rogate Bohunt Manor. Hollycombe and the Rogate Bohunt estate was sold in 1866 by Sir Charles Taylor's son, to Sir John Hawkshaw. In 1891 the Manor was handed over to Sir John's only son, Colonel Oliver Hawkshaw who sold off about 30 properties in 1921 when his father died and in 1923 he sold what remained of the original Rogate Bohunt Manor to Sir William Dingwall of Rake. (Hawkeshaw retained the Hollycombe estate) Finally, in 1936 he sold the Hollycombe estate to a speculator named Toms, who proceeded to break up and sell off the remaining Hollycombe estate properties. Hollycombe House and about 250 acres was bought by Sir Walter Rea who proceeded to undertake extensive renovations, only upon completion to have the house commandeered for use during WW2 as a girls' convent school until 1946. Sir Walter died in 1948 and Hollycombe was bought by Patrick,Lord Selsdon who sold in 1952 to Lt. Cdr. John M.Baldock,MP.

Re: Hollycombe House - Andy (30th Sep 2017  11:11:43) Hi. We were just talking to my Mum as I was eating a bowl of porridge. Mum said she hated the porridge as she was made to eat it every Monday morning when she was at a Convent in Liphook when she was 6 at around 1941. She couldn't remember the name of the place but remembered it was in Liphook. I did a search and found this page. She remembers the names of the nuns there who are mentioned on this page and has some fond memories of her 6 month convalescence stay there. She remembers being put to bed at 6pm and being woken up at 10pm to queue to go to the toilet then woken up at 5am. She remembers a girl there called Eileen. My mum was called Shirley Woodrow back then.

Re: Hollycombe House - Sue Fletcher (21st Jun 2019  22:34:19) My mother told me that she had been taken to this home as a little girl I am very interested in finding out more for her and for myself about others experiences especially photos are there any publications or info I can obtain? My mums name was Irene May at the time. Thank you in advance for any help at all.

Re: Hollycombe House - Carole (27th Jun 2019  13:05:29) The hollycombe estate is owned by the Hoare family and has been for many years. Prior to the Hoares, the Baldock family owned it along with all the grounds and houses, also hollycombe steam fair which of course is now independent from the estate. The house is not open to public

Re: Hollycombe House - Doreen Sandley (6th Oct 2024  08:14:17) I was one of the girls in 1944-45. I remember the sisters mentioned and Nurse Cox, all lovely people. I still have some keepsakes from those days and heaps of memories. I was 9-10 in Sister Catherine's class.

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