Wigan Album

the picture prompts some real memories of the workhouse in the Forties.
The picture takes some little licence in that the building shown was the inner one,the clock represents the clock tower above the main entrance which was straight off Frog lane there was a build either side of the tower into which the itinerants were accommodated with the building shown being home to the resident families,from memory the large green gate doors were opened about 4.30pm when the itinerants who had gathered along Frog Lane were alloed in this of course was prior to it becoming the Welfare Home in the Fifties.

Was this what they called the workhouse,If so I remember going visiting someone in there very grim place it was

It was still essentially a workhouse after the second world war David, as my late Aunt and Uncle were forced to go in around 1950

I worked at this hospital in the days of Matron Walsh.She did not paint this picture but an auxillary nurse named Purdy did.
It was a good place to work and we actually had coal fires in the winter.I have nothing but happy memories but do realise why people hated the place. I remember both Alice and Margaret Hurst. If any one wishes to contact me then I would only be happy to answer questions Eg why are flowers paintes beneath the window on the upper floor to the right?

i HAVE JUST RE READ ONE OF THE COMMENTS RE THE NAME NIGHTINGALE.I WENT TO WORK THERE IN OCT 1966. THE MATRON WAS MOLLY WALSH. THE STAFF ON THE FEMALE WARD UPSTAIRS WAS ANNIE McDONOUGH ,MARY BIERNE,MARY O'NEILL,JENNIE BAXENDALE,GLADY'S ASHURT PLUS OTHERS. dOWN WITH THE MALE WASRD WAS SEN NIGHTINGALE [FLORENCE OR NIGHTY FOR SHORT] SEN SMITH, ALICE HURST AND MYSELF. WE HAD 2 MALE STAFF NAMELY JIM AND JOHN.SOMEWHERE I HAVE A PHOTOGRAPH WHICH I WILL POST ONTO THE SITE WHEN I FIND IT. THERE WERE ALSO ANOTHER HOUSE FOR THE DOWN ON THEIR LUCK MALES. THIS WAS THE LORD GEORGE ON THE CORNER OF DARLINTON ST .

does anyone recall working here during the ww2? my father was ecavuated as a young lad and ended up in what he called "a hospital" in frog lane, wondering if anyone has any recollection as he remembers other lads were there too,and has fond memories of the teachers there.

I know that A. McDonough and someone by the surname of Murphy. They worked with children there. The later was a children's nurse. The first one has died and don't know about the latter.

Hiya I wonder if anyone knows of my great grandfather who worked in the boiler room at frog lane hospital in the 40s he subsequently died in there in 1948 but one of the messages on this site mention a woman called baxendale and on one of the bits of information I have it tells me that my great grandfather was living in a house with lots of people witch included a couple of women called baxendale. Any info would be great.

The lady you mention Carol is Jenny Baxendale. She lived within walking distance.

My mother,Molly fisher, and my sister,May Melling,worked here during the war years

Hiya Joan thanks for answering my question,my great granddad was called John William Powell, he was living at 9 Springfield street with his youngest son, who was called Thomas, Thomas was in his late 40s, also in the house was, James and john baxendale, Dorothy ramsdale, jean and john whittle, I think they may all be staff from the hospital. Hopefully you can help me, and any info on John William Powell. Thanks

I became the new owner of this painting today following the sad death of its original owner Mary Laithwaite

Hi joan,so glad mary left you the picture
My mum deie(bridget)mchugh and mary always called you little joan,and spoke of the times you worked together on getiatric wards.lovely memoried.thanks for photos you sent me of those times.hope you are keeping well x