The Grange, TGWU Convalescent Home, Littleport

History of the Grange, Littleport

The Grange, Littleport OS 1901

The Grange, Littleport c.1925

The Grange on the right was built by Canon E B Sparke, vicar of Littleport, in 1855. Later it was the home of Thomas Peacock, founder of Hope Brothers’ Factory.

1896 William Cutlack bought house

1912 offered to County Council as a sanatorium but then left vacant

1915 – 1916 Belgian Refugee Colony run by Evelyn Radford and her sister Maisie until May 1916.

https://www.radfordtrust.org/history/jennet-campbell-mbe-illustrated-lecture/part-1-the-early-years

1918 The house became a prisoner of war camp and that German POWs were used as labour on farms.  (Littleport Society Magazine no.93) The Ely Standard newspaper from the beginning of 1918 describes how German POWs were being used in agriculture and drainage projects in Littleport, Isleham and Downham. After the war ended and jobs were required local people protested at the use of POWs.

1918 purchased by Frederick Hiam

1920 sold to National Union of Vehicle Workers as a convalescent home

WWII: RAF hospital

After WWII: Convalescent Home for Transport and General Workers Union

The Convalescent Home of the National Union of Vehicle Workers at The Grange, Littleport, Isle of Ely, opened in 1921, was taken over by the TGWU and its facilities extended to all members.

TGWU Convalescent Home Littlport (date unknown – private source)

For more information about the former TGWU Convalescent Home see:

https://mrc-catalogue.warwick.ac.uk/records/TGW/1/04/E/578