Social historians at the University have helped community partners put together a fascinating insight into the largely forgotten history of Tunbridge Wells’ Belgian refugees.
Their research has led to the development of a Belgian Community Heritage Trail, being launched on 21 July, which will enable people to see the sites in Tunbridge Wells connected to the period.
University researchers Dr Anne Logan and Dr Kate Bradley, of the University’s School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research, began their project by making use of a souvenir album belonging to Tunbridge Wells resident and social activist Amelia Scott and her sister Louisa, who helped with the relief of refugees.
Dr Logan said that although previous research had identified substantial Belgian refugee communities during the First World War in industrial areas and in parts of London, there is a ‘gap’ in knowledge about the experiences of smaller, provincial towns.
The project, entitled Royal Tunbridge Wells Belgian Refugees 1914-19, draws on research undertaken by local resident Alison Sandford Mackenzie, working with volunteers from the Camden Road Education, Arts and Theatre Enterprise (CREATE).
As an ‘established spa resort’, Tunbridge Wells not only attracted wealthy self-supporting Belgian guests, but also played host to refugees ‘from more diverse social backgrounds’, said Dr Logan.