Stray relative

[colwyn]

Small problem perhaps someone can help me with .One of my relatives lived all his life in the Manchester area. I found his death registered in 1985 in Brighton at St Dunstans ,Abbey Rd. He was ex army and a retired civil servant, could this have been a retirement or nursing home.

[Jan1954]

Hello colwyn - welcome to Brit-Gen,

St Dunstan's was/is a care home for blind ex-servicemen and women.

It was started in 1917 by the Royal National Institute for the Blind as a convalescent home for blinded soldiers in St George's Road, Brighton, but in connection with St Dunstan's in London. It has also been known as Pearson House and is in part of the Brighton conservation area.

I do not know when it moved to Abbey Road, but perhaps the East Sussex Records Office may be able to advise you.

I hope that this helps.

[stickymone]

Hi

I don't know where Abbey Road comes into it but St Dunstans is in Greenways Ovingdean just East of Brighton. it's been there for years and I know it's still being used as a home for blind ex servicemen and women.

If you want to research your ancestor they have an archives/research facility which can be contacted on archives@st-dunstans.org.uk

Stickymone

[Jan1954]

According to a Court Circular of 1993, on 2nd April the Duchess of Kent visited Ian Fraser House, St Dunstan's Home for the Blind, Abbey Road, Brighton, East Sussex.

So it appears to have been there then.

I wonder when it moved to Ovingdean.....

[stickymone]

Hi

It's been there at least since the sixties, I used to deliver papers in Ovingdean as a boy. It's a large building set in it's own grounds on the cliff road between Brighton and Rottingdean.

I wonder if Abbey Road was an annex of some description which no longer exists I just looked on their web page and there's no mention of Abbey Road. It could of course have been the original home, I see that the present building was purpose built in 1938

Either way If Colwyn wishes to make an enquirie regarding a relative the archives appear to be the place to send it

Stickymone

[Jan1954]

I wonder if Abbey Road was an annex of some description which no longer exists

That could well be the case - especially as the Court Circular said Ian Fraser House, St Dunstan's Home for the Blind, Abbey Road, Brighton, East Sussex.

Curiouser and curiouser......

[colwyn]

Hi Folks
Thanks for all the responses, the court circular would seem to confirm the details on my relatives death cert. I have now also contacted the St Dunstans archive so hopefully they can shed some further light on things.I'll google Ian fraser House and see if I can find something. Its always satisfying to tie up these loose ends. Thanks.