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Accessed: 3/3/20
Mrs Louisa Daniell in 1870
Mrs Louisa Daniell (1808/1809–16 September 1871) was a Protestant philanthropist known for her work among the poor of The Midlands but most especially for her Soldiers' Home and Institute in the garrison town of Aldershot in the United Kingdom during the Victorian era.
Early work
Louisa Daniell (née Drake) was orphaned soon after birth. A lonely child, she took comfort in religion.[1] She married Captain Frederick Daniell (died 1837 in India) of the 8th Madras Native Infantry, like herself a devout Christian. After marrying they went to India where they had two children. In India she held prayer meetings and distributed religious tracts.[2] On returning to England after the death of her husband she moved to The Midlands to be near her son Frederick William Daniell who was being educated at Rugby School. Her daughter, Georgiana Fanny Shipley Daniell (1835–1894) who succeeded her mother in her philanthropic work at Aldershot, was educated at Brighton. Deeply moved by the number of destitute vagrants she saw on the streets of Rugby Louisa Daniell set up five missions in five years in the area which were largely financed by local gentry. In these she provided reading rooms and sewing classes and gave out religious tracts and held Bible readings in an attempt to oppose what she saw as the threat of Roman Catholicism.[3][4][5]
Move to Aldershot
The Soldiers' Home and Institute in 1877
Miss Daniell's Soldiers' Home and Institute in 1910
The Meeting Hall at the Soldiers' Home. All that is left of the original building - it is now the Aldershot Masonic Centre
By the early 1860s her work at Rugby had brought Daniell to the notice of a Mr Wilson, the Secretary of the County Towns Mission Society, who implored her to “adopt Aldershot”[6] and “work it in the same way as her existing mission stations”.[4] Aldershot had few distractions for the 15,000 troops stationed there other than 18 canteens in the Camp where beer was served and 25 public houses and 47 beer houses in the town, most of which were also brothels where disease was rife. Daniell described Aldershot at this time as "one of Satan's strongholds".[7]
Mrs Daniell and her daughter arrived in Aldershot in April 1862 with the intention of setting up a place of recreation and relaxation for soldiers other than the public houses and saloons;[8] with the help and guidance of some of the outstanding evangelical philanthropists of the period including Lord Shaftesbury they rented a house in Artillery Terrace in October 1862[8] and fitted it up as a mission hall and reading room, providing recreation for soldiers in Aldershot out of concern for their spiritual needs and well-being. The building of her permanent Mission Hall and Soldiers' Home and Institute situated on Barrack Road was commenced in February 1863 on a plot of land donated by local businessman Mr Eggar, being officially opened on 11 October 1863 by Lord Shaftesbury. This building was in the Elizabethan style and consisted of a lecture hall seating up to 500 for religious services, a tea and coffee bar, a smoking and games room, a reading room where newspapers were provided and a lending library in addition to a classroom capable of holding 150 people. Upstairs was the drawing room for use by officers and their families, while other rooms included a kitchen and living accommodation.[3][4]
Aldershot Mission Hall and Soldiers’ Institute
According to arrangement the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of this Hall was performed about half-past one o’clock on Wednesday, the 11th of February, by the Right Hon. the Earl of Shaftesbury.
Previously, however, to entering upon a description of the proceedings, it may be well to give a few particulars regarding the origin of the Institution thus inaugurated. The Aldershot Mission Hall and Soldiers’ Institute owes its existence to the indefatigable exertions of a Christian lady, Mrs. Daniell, who has already been instrumental in founding no fewer than six flourishing Missions in different parts of England. It originated as follows: A gentleman having learnt that there was a promising opening for missionary effort and the labours of Bible women in the town, pressed Mrs. Daniell to adopt Aldershot as another field of operations, and she was induced in consequence to pay it a visit, in the company of a valued friend. The result of that visit was given in p. 109 of the October Magazine. The following extract from that paper we give to refresh the memory of our readers:”An open door seemed set before us by the pressing invitation of an officer in the camp to come at once, and truly our path hitherto has been a cheering one. Both officers and men have rallied round us, and together with the clergymen of the parish have promised every support. We have, therefore, decided to begin at once this most important and much needed work.
“But we see that the first great want in such a place is a ‘Mission Hall,’ where the soldier may spend his leisure time; and until we can secure this boon for him, the Mission, however well worked, cannot be perfect in its arrangements, or fully efficient in its results.
“A gentleman connected with the town has generously promised a piece of land, allowing us to make our own choice of a site; he has also kindly offered to act as architect free of cost; while two friends deeply anxious for the success of the Mission have engaged to provide 100 pounds each for the building. After much consultation with officers of the camp, we propose with their help, to erect a ‘Mission Hall,’ on a similar plan to the Workman’s Hall at Notting Hill, with lecture room, reading room, coffee and smoking rooms, and residence for the Missionary staff. All whom we have consulted, both in and out of the place, agree that such a building is required.”
The scheme met with great encouragement. One gentleman subscribed the very large sum of 1,000 pounds towards the cost of the building, and Mr. Eggar, who is referred to in Mrs. Daniell’s circular, gave the land for the site, besides adding his gratuitous services as Architect.
The situation of the new hall is a very fine one, commanding one of the most extensive and pleasant prospects in the neighborhood. It is also conveniently placed for access from the camp, and in every way well suited for the building about to rise upon it.
The usual preparations on such occasions had been made for the ceremony of laying the foundation stone; the stone itself was suspended on a crane ready for the lowering process, and an awning, from which the national flag fluttered, had been erected to screen the more important actors from the possible effects of this very variable season. Fortunately, however, the day was everything that could have been desired – bright, fresh, and bracing; and close upon the appointed hour a large assemblage had collected.
Among the more prominent of those who crowded the enclosure were the following: The Earl of Shaftesbury, Mrs. Daniell, Lord Calthorpe, Lord Radstock, Lord Henry, Lady and the Misses Cholmondeley, Mrs. Fleming, His Highness the Maharajah Dhuleep Singh, General Lawrence, General Tomkins, Colonel and Mrs. Oakes (12th Lan.), Colonel Wodehouse (24th Rgt.), Colonel Desborough, Lieut-Colonel Sir E. Campbell (1st batt. 60th Rifles), Lieut-Colonel Lennox, V.C. (R.E.) and Mrs. Lennox, Lieut-Colonel Sir H. Havelock, V.C., Major Gray (Military Train) Major Macpherson (1st batt. 24th Rgt.), Captain Crawford (Royal Artillery), Captain M’Crea, Captain Trotter, Captain Harrison (Royal Engineers), Captain E.G. Fishbourne, C.B. (R.N.), Captain Dawes (Surrey Militia) and Friends, Captain W. Caldwell, Captain Dunbar (The Buffs), Mr. and Mrs. Lambert (M.T.), Rev. G. Braithwaite and lady (Vicar and Sub-Dean of Chichester), Rev. W. Pennefather, Rev. J. Dennett, Rev. H. Huleatt (Chaplain to the Forces) and Mrs. Huleatt, Rev. Dr. Rule, Rev. F. Cannon, Rev. Dr. Arthur (Chaplain), Dr. Fox, Dr. Leete (5th Fisileers), Dr. Barker, the Hon. Charles Hobart, Mr. R., Mrs. and Miss Baxter, Mr. and Mrs. J. Halliday, Messrs. J. Oliphant, S. Hanson, Herbert Mayo, J. Hopkinson, Geo. R. Brown, Alexander Haldane, J.O. Underwood, F. Eggar and friends, T. White, E. Wilson, S. Chase, Mr. and Mrs. D.M. Dewar, Mr. and Mrs. R. Allden, T. Taunton, Miss Barton, Mrs. Paul, &c & c.
The Rev. James Dennett, Incumbent of Aldershot, having offered a suitable and most impressive prayer, the hymn commencing,”Come let us join our cheerful song
With angels round the rone,”
was sung.
The stone was then lowered to its place, Lord Shaftesbury administering the regulation taps on each of its four corners.
It bears the following inscription: “Aldershot Mission Hall and Soldiers’ Institute. This stone was laid by the Right Hon. The Earl of Shaftesbury, Feb. 11th, 1868. ‘The Lord hath done great things for us.’ Messrs. Eggar and Stapeley, Architects; Messrs. Goddard, Builders.”
His Lordship then, addressing the assemblage, said as follows:Gentlemen and Ladies, and all our friends assembled at this important ceremony. First, I congratulate you on the event which has just taken place. There is little to state upon an occasion such as this. Yet it is customary that a few words should be addressed to those who are assembled. I shall, therefore, conform to this custom, being anxious to express how deeply I feel the importance of the object, how grateful we ought to be to the lady who has undertaken the management of the Institution, and to express, without limit, our thanks to Almighty God, that He has been pleased to put it into her heart to give us the opportunity of founding a house which shall be a remedy to the great evil prevailing here, and where those who come will enjoy the benefit of hearing the Word of God.
Now you know that for many years that has been a growing sentiment in this country of the necessity of establishments such as this for the great mass of the working people, where they might enjoy honest and sober recreation, where they might receive instruction, and where they might enter into many of those social enjoyments which are necessary – essentially necessary – to their comfort and their edification.
I am glad to say that some who have the command of our armies are of opinion that institutes, reading rooms, and places of social enjoyment should be founded adequate to the number of the soldiers. I believe they will look upon an Institution such as this with favour, although from the peculiarity of the circumstances in which they are placed it may not be possible for them to come forward and give it open and decided support. I don’t believe that those who have the welfare of the soldier at heart, I cannot believe that those who are in high places of command, can be indifferent to anything like this, so essentially necessary for their real and permanent benefit, if they reclaim them from the unhappy circumstances in which they now are, and give them that instruction which they cannot attain in any other way.
At the same time, when building institutions we must be very careful to consider the dangers of their position. I know perfectly well the impediments that stand in the way of the commanders of our armies giving full and free support to institutions of this description. I need not enter very minutely into this matter. You must know that our army does consist of pretty equal divisions of men of antagonistic religions; the commanders think that all matters where there is a possibility of any special difference of opinion being brought forward, must be avoided, and, therefore, they take that course as official people; but as private individuals they have power to supplement these deficiencies which they cannot meet as officials, though I think at the same time it is necessary to give a word of caution; not that I believe it is for those who have undertaken the charge of this establishment; but it may be necessary to say to those who are standing here, that this Institute is for social recreation; that it is for religious instruction; that it is for the purpose of communicating individually that spiritual knowledge that cannot be given upon such a scale in the camp. It is to give them access to the fountain of faith; but in this establishment controversial teaching will not be entered upon. They will be content to give them the essential and fundamental truths, but controversy will be avoided, and wise they are to do so. Although it is necessary that there should be men trained to controversy, it is not desirable that the whole mass of the population should be trained to such. It is well that the simple truths of the Gospel should be placed before them in all sincerity, and that every man should have free access to the Bible, and that every man should have the opportunity, as you can give it him, for securing his social and religious instruction. Here we must own the basis from which we must never depart, to which we must not make any concession whatsoever – the inalienable right of every man, be he in the ranks or be he an officer – the inalienable right, out of service and parade, apart from military duty, to take every opportunity he can of communicating religious intelligence, of imparting the Word of God, the infusing into the hearts and minds of men the knowledge and love of true religion. He may abstain, and probably must abstain, during parade and military discipline; our of that he is as free to act as any living being on the face of God’s earth; as free to act as any minister set apart for the sacred duty.
Now, of the necessity of such an Institution as this, there can be little or no question to those who are conversant with military life. I need not go further than refer you to those you see here every day. When you consider the position of the soldier, you must see he, more than any other, needs the appliances of such institutions as these; he needs the opportunities which this establishment will offer to him.
Consider how these young men, not only in the prime, but in the very commencement of life, are brought from their homes, brought from their domestic influences, brought from all their social influences, which in many countries and many families have been the main stay of the young man during his early life. They are brought suddenly, many in the lowest possible state of education, many barely acquainted with the first principles of religion, many barely acquainted with the elements of secular knowledge. If men are suddenly brought into the very heart and centre of the greatest temptations to which they can be exposed, and surrounded with vice in every form, they think it no shame whatever in going along with the crowd. There is nothing to deter them from the commission of the offence. The temptations to which they are exposed are more than temptations. I have no doubt they are shamed into it, just as in many trades there is an organized system of persecution into a particular course of life from which a private individual would shrink. I say it is necessary to afford to these young men some place of refuge – some place where we might advise them – some place where we might instruct them – and some one who would take them by the hand and give them that refuge which they cannot find in camp, and which they cannot find amongst the great mass of their associates. There are many difficulties connected with a work of this kind, I know. I am not going to say that the military rulers are to blame; I am not going to pass any censure upon them. I state these things (which you all know) to show the great necessity of our supplementing their efforts by institutions such as these. The fact of the impediment put in the way of the Scripture Reader, a most efficient, a most admirable, and generally speaking a most discreet body, -- the Scripture Reader is interdicted in going from hut to hut, and even from going into the hospital except by special commission. That may be very necessary. I am not going to object now. But something must be done to give these men the thing which is essentially needful, and which is their inalienable right. There are many other impediments, but I would not detain you with them now. I think you will see that I have stated enough to show that an Institution such as this, which will give personal individual religious training, is necessary. It will enable the men to come face to face, to open their sorrow, and to seek for advice to confess their sins, and to ask counsel and assistance. This never can be in the present state of affairs; even if the chaplains were increased an hundredfold, they could never establish that intimacy, that confidence, that trust, that burning desire to communicate with those who have come forward in so simple, so Christian-like, and so disinterested a manner, for no other end than to communicate to them the way of salvation.
Now I think many do not own or entertain these opinions. We are told that they are a useless class; you must let them pursue the course they have begun; you cannot reform them. All your exertions are in vain, you only make matters worse, with these additions, that you have made a few more hypocrites. I deny that statement. I maintain it is a very hopeful case, -- I maintain that we have proofs, indubitable amongst those who are gone and those still living of the truth which is spoken in Holy Scripture, “The word shall not return unto Him void.”
You can, no doubt, recollect the period of the great war in India. You remember the number of letters that were written by private soldiers to friends and relations. They were never intended to be brought to light. They were brought forward only at the earnest request of those people who thought it was a great proof of the effect of godly teaching on these men. You recollect the war in the Crimea, the excellent bearing and Christian conduct of these men, and the prayers they offered before going to battle; and yet we are to be told this is a hopeless case. I hold it little short of blasphemy to say that any case is so degraded, so sunk, as to be forsaken by God; to say that when the Word of truth and salvation, in the name of the Lord, is placed before him, that he shall not acknowledge its influence and fall on his knees and confess his sins. If but few are brought to a condition of repentance, we should be more than thankful that we have had the opportunity of founding this Institution, and that the godly lady, under God’s providence, the instrument, may go to her rest, saying, “Here am I, Lord, and the children Thou hast given me.”
But in a point of view not connected with the spiritual advantages, it seems to me a very hopeful case. Are you aware of this secular fact? – that the soldiers, in proportion to their number, are by far the largest contributors to the savings’ banks. These men, who are said to spend all their money in nothing but vice, ungodliness, and drink. They have been by various appliances reclaimed to such an extent, that they have become by far the largest contributors to our savings’ banks. It is not altogether hopeless when you tell them of that great savings’ bank beyond all this, in which everything must be laid up for a coming eternity.
Now let me again return to the point, and merely say that I humbly and heartily pray to Almighty God that this Institution may be carried on in the spirit in which it is commenced; that it may be an institution essentially for teaching, preaching, and maintaining the great doctrine of salvation, the great doctrine of the atonement, the great doctrine of justification by faith – these great and good old doctrines which the prophet Jeremiah calls “old paths;” in which I trust we shall all stand and walk unto the day when we shall be called to our great account. I hope you will be careful to abstain from doing anything which will give the least ground for quarrelling to those who are antagonistic to these institutions; there are many who will take ever occasion to do so. Be content to lay the foundation on the truth, to abstain from controversial teaching. Do not attempt to set man against man simply on account of the diversity of creed which he may happen to hold. (Cheers.) Stand to your essentials of Christianity, you will be safe, you will prosper, and the blessing of God will always rest upon you. I hope the men who shall come here to this Institution, to share the blessings it is calculated to afford, will come with a hearty spirit, and determine that they will avail themselves of all these signal advantages during the short time they may be enabled to reside here; that they may participate in all these great benefits, and recognize the hand of God as having touched the hearts of these good people to found an institution so essential to their welfare; that they will preserve with gratitude and joy, and retain with vigour and determination, that great principle of the Gospel that they here will drink in; that they will live and learn not to be ashamed of, but to confess the faith of Christ crucified, and to continue as Christ’s faithful servants unto their lives’ end.
Now, may God’s blessing descend upon you and yours, the blessings that have been so earnestly prayed for by all God’s people assembled here. We desire not you but yours. We seek not anything but your spiritual and your eternal welfare.
His Lordship then read the names of the Trustees of the building as follows: -- Mrs. Daniell, Mrs. Fleming, Lord Henry Cholmondeley, The Hon. Arthur Kinnaird, Lieut-Colonel Sir Edward F. Campbell, Bart. (60th Rifes), Lieut-Colonel Sir Henry M. Havelock, Bart., Captain E. Gardner Fishbourne, R.N., C.B., Stevenson A. Blackwood, Esq., John Halliday, Esq., Frederick Eggar, Esq., and Robert Baxter, Esq.
The hymn “Gloria Patri,” was next sung, the band of the Surrey Militia, which was in attendance, performed the national anthem, and the proceedings terminated.
The Luncheon
Lord Shaftesbury presided at the luncheon in the AsSembly Room. On his Lordship’s right, sat Mrs. Daniell and Lord Calthorpe, and many of the distinguished visitors, as well as of the leading townsmen, were present. Grace was said by the Rev. J. Dennett, and thanks returned by the Rev. H. Huleatt. Afterwards,
Lord Calthorpe spoke as follows:[OMITTED]
Captain Trotter next, at the hall of the chairman, addressed the company:My dear Lord Shaftesbury,-- It is with very great pleasure that I respond to your call, though only for a moment or two, as I am obliged to leave by train in a very short time. I gladly avail myself of the opportunity of saying how cordially I respond to the remarks which have just been made by Lord Calthorpe. I feel that the necessity is one that is patent. Those who have been in any way connected with the army, directly or indirectly, must feel that the evil is beyond the ordinary control of those that are placed in authority, or rather, placed here by the authorities – put in places of influence, -- the chaplains, Scripture Readers, or any others who have access to the camp, doing their utmost to promote the truth. Giving them credit for more than ordinary toil it is impossible for them to keep pace with the amount of iniquity that must occur. One may suppose that the steps which are taken in the present day to support lay agency and to encourage such institutions as these, may be thought to be casting a slur upon the existing clergyman. I wish to separate myself from such as those. On the contrary, lay agency is put forward with a view of supplementing their work.
Now what is the effort? It is, as I understand, feeling the extreme grace of God in bringing her to a knowledge savingly of His truth, and feeling the importance of the work of Christ for her, she desires to communicate this blessed and simple truth – to use Lord Shaftesbury’s words – without entering into any controversial points, -- to promote the publication of the first great principles of truth, upon which if a soul trusts in simple faith, by the grace of God that soul shall live for ever. It is a noble work! Dear friends, allow me to say that your presence here will warrant my supposing that you desire to promote, not only by contributing your money, not only by giving your presence on the occasion of the laying of the foundation stone, but that you in your own hearts have to some measure felt the preciousness, that you know the real value of the blood shed for you, and the promise that the Spirit of God shall lead you into all truth. Realising this in some measure, you come here not only to give your countenance and to give your money, but you will cooperate with this institution. These institutions need support afterwards, by money, by effort, by countenance, by prayer for God’s Holy Spirit and blessing upon the work. Yet let each one ask himself whether it is not their bounden duty to see if they cannot do something distinctive. Be assured at the last day that there will not be anything which we shall be so glad to have done as to have shown our desire to cooperate in the salvation of souls.
I speak as one who spent my early life in the army. Whenever I see a red coat my heart leaps with gratitude, and makes me long to glorify His name in the service in which I spent my early life in sin and ignorance of the truth. I bless God that He has shown me the value of His word – His precious word. I would remind my dear hearers who may be in the army of the solemn importance of doing something for God; more than this, I would remind these young men – and I speak faithfully to them – I implore them to give their hearts to God early. How many years I spent in the army, and no one ever said a solitary word to me about my soul! no one ever took me by the hand and said, “Now, young man, give your heart to God.”
May God bless this institution! may it be the means of bringing many men to the way of life! I am reminded of that precious chapter, the fifteenth of Luke, that parable in three divisions. We are told of the shepherd going to seek the sheep lost. No doubt that gives a description of the interest of the Lord Jesus in securing souls. We are told in the next division of the parable of the woman who lost the piece of silver, and she seeks diligently till she finds it. Then we are told how the father stands with his arms open to receive the prodigal son and welcome him with joy. How blessed to our dear friend to be the instrument in taking part and cooperating exactly according to the mind of God.
There is an open door for every man – not only for Mrs. Daniell – a glorious work for all. May God put it into your hearts to be fellow-workers with her.
The Rev. W. Pennefather said:[OMITTED]
Robert Baxter, Esq., said:My Lord, Ladies and Gentlemen, -- I have a message from Mrs. Daniell, to express from her the deep obligation she feels under, the debt of gratitude she owes for the kindness that has been shown to her, the readiness of those in the camp and out of the camp to come forward in this work, to come here and to take part in the ceremony we have been going through. She desires to express how her hands have been strengthened by those here.
One word from the noble earl. He stated this morning the proportions of the different views of religion within the camp, that, as a matter of statistics, as he understood it, to be about half and half; but he now wishes that to be corrected; it should have been two-thirds and one-third, instead of half and half,-- that he understand to be the proportion of those in the camp who entertain different views on the subject of religion.
Now, may I be permitted to say a word or two upon the general subject on which we have met. I know many say, What is this we are doing? what can be the meaning of it all? why should Mrs. Daniell come here? why should we have a mission hall? why should we be asked to come Sunday after Sunday to speak on religious subjects here? The whole thing is new. It may be so with those who make the observations.
It has been my pleasure, at the request of Mrs. Daniell, to go to her other missionary stations in the midland counties. They have been working well for the last five years. She has also the same kind of establishments in other towns. There is nothing new in it; it is a repetition of a work which has been carried on in different parts of the country. In more than two hundred other places throughout Great Britain the same movement is carried on, and carried on with great blessing, and with the greatest satisfaction to all. I think it cannot have escaped our observation that within the last five years the laity have felt their obligation as Christ’s disciples to assist the ministers in their labours; and there has sprung up in place after place a systematized effort for laymen to come forward and speak to their fellows on religious subjects, to open rooms for the purpose of joining with reading rooms and other establishments for their recreation and social improvement. These efforts are very much esteemed. I could mention place after place where they exist, and where such labours have been very much valued and been highly beneficial to all classes of the community. In the very parish of our friend who last spoke he has his church, he has his schools; none better attended, none better built; but he has found it necessary to supplement that church and school by what I might call a mission hall. It is an iron room which will hold about 1200 people, which he uses for assemblies of a miscellaneous character, that he could not well hold in the church, and for which the schools are not adequate. He has this mission hall under his own superintendence; it was built by special subscription. In another place, through the efforts of a lady, a similar place has been built capable of holding 800 people. There laymen are invited to come and speak to the people of Christ. I trust there will be no misgivings here because laymen are to come down and speak. Why should not laymen speak? Can we absolve him from the obligation which lies on every man to do what good he can in instructing, comforting, and edifying his fellow creatures? There are none, I think, present who would be bold enough to assert the contrary. There never was a time when there was a greater knowledge of the Gospel diffused throughout the country, and when the clergy were so active as at the present moment. There never was a time when there was so much care taken of the soldier by the chaplains. Yet there still lies on every man the obligation to come forward and speak to his fellow-man what he knows himself.
Within the last few weeks the same movement has been originated in the south of Ireland, entirely among the country gentlemen – not by ministers, but by country gentlemen. One after another were moved to stand up to bear testimony to, and to hold up, Christ among their tenants. Never has there been such a work in the south of Ireland – a movement which can only have beneficial results. This is what is needed, viz., that Christians should join hand in hand to help on the work; then knowledge shall be spread around, and the great principles of truth shall be brought to bear upon the people. There should be many to lay the hand upon the shoulder of the man, and say “Friend, art thou caring for thy soul?” Many should do this – nay, all should be ready to do it.
-- Country Towns Mission Magazine, Mar. 1, 1863
When the Home first opened it was not thought appropriate for ladies to make such a place their home and a Council of Management was appointed to run it consisting of officers and their wives, representatives from the town and a small staff of volunteers. This arrangement did not work and by 1864 Mrs Daniell and her daughter were back, and stayed for the rest of their lives.[8] Her Total Abstinence Society was set up 1863 and within a year had 500 members, and while many lapsed either temporarily or permanently it held regular meetings and awarded medals to men who kept the pledge.
In addition to the soldiers Mrs Daniells endeavoured to help their wives also. At this time soldiers' wives were either "on the strength" meaning they had basic food and accommodation provided by the Army, or they were "off the strength" meaning they received nothing so their husbands had to provide for them from their low wages. This resulted in extreme poverty in Aldershot's West End where many of these women lived with their children. To help them Mrs Daniell organised Mothers’ Meetings and sewing classes where the women learned to sew clothes which they could then sell at the Mission Hall thus enabling them to earn three or four shillings a week. Mrs Daniell also set up a weekly savings club for the wives where they could put aside small sums to pay for clothing, shoes and other essentials.[4]
Mrs Daniell set up a “Band of Hope” for local children which provided activities and basic education. In 1868 she took over the vacant public house the Wellington Arms in the West End which had a dance hall which could be used as a schoolroom. Here between 50 and 60 children aged 6 to 12 years of age received a basic education in reading and writing, taught by women from the Mission Hall.
Mrs Louisa Daniell died on 16 September 1871 at the family home, Eastwick House in Great Malvern, where she was being treated for breast cancer. Her body lay in state at the Aldershot Mission Hall before being taken for burial at Aldershot Military Cemetery with an escort of Royal Engineers.[9] She is one of the few civilians buried in Aldershot Military Cemetery.
Miss Daniell
Grave of Mrs Louisa Daniell and Miss Georgina Daniell (left) and Miss Hanson (right) in Aldershot Military Cemetery
Miss Georgiana Fanny Shipley Daniell (20 May 1835 – 24 June 1894) was born in India to Louisa Daniell and Captain Frederick Daniell. She never married and was known as 'Miss Daniell' in Aldershot where, assisted by Miss Kate Hanson (1834–1913), one of the volunteer workers, she continued and expanded her mother's work, raising £30,000 to open further Miss Daniell's Soldiers' Homes at Weedon (1873), Colchester (1873), Manchester (1874), Plymouth (1874), Chatham (1876) and London (1890). She fought tirelessly on behalf of serving soldiers and their wives and children in addition to promoting foreign missionary activities - earning her the name "the Soldiers' Friend".[3][4]
Georgiana Daniell died in the Mission Hall and Soldiers' Home in Barrack Road in Aldershot from an illness brought on by influenza on 24 June 1894. On 29 June her coffin was carried on a gun carriage for burial with her mother in Aldershot Military Cemetery. Miss Kate Hanson carried on the work as Honorary Superintendent of all Mrs Daniell’s Soldiers’ Homes until she died from heart failure on 22 April 1913, aged 79. In recognition of her long service to the soldiers and their wives and children of the British Army she too was buried in Aldershot Military Cemetery, beside the grave of Louisa and Georgiana Daniell.[4]
Miss Daniell's Soldiers' Home in Aldershot
Havelock House in Aldershot opened in 1963 on the site of Miss Daniell's Soldiers' Home
Much of Miss Daniell's Soldiers’ Home in Barrack Road in Aldershot was demolished in 1958, leaving only three walls and a roof from the main hall where the religious services had been held. In 1962 this derelict building was adopted by the Freemasons of Aldershot as a Masonic Hall by building a fourth wall to secure the building. They obtained the building on a 99-year lease from November 1962 and today it is a meeting place for twelve Masonic Lodges and associated organisations.[10]
A new Soldiers’ Home, Havelock House, was built on the site of the former Home and Institute and was opened by Elizabeth II in 1963 on the centenary of the original Miss Daniell's Soldiers' Home. Today it is the headquarters of the Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Scripture Reading Association (SASRA) who are the trustees of Miss Daniell’s Soldiers' Homes, a registered charity[11] with the aim of “Spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ to personnel in the British Army through provision of physical and spiritual sustenance.”[4]
References
1. Cathy Hartley, A Historical Dictionary of British Women, Europa Publications (2003) - Google Bookspgs 263-4
2. Hartley, C. (2003). A Historical Dictionary of British Women. Taylor & Francis Books Limited. p. 128. ISBN 9781857432282. Retrieved 27 Nov 2016.
3. Edward M. Spiers, ‘Daniell, Louisa (1808/9–1871)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 accessed 26 Nov 2016
4. Paul Vickers. "A public-house without the drink: the early days of Miss Daniell's Soldiers' Home". Friends of the Aldershot Military Museum - Garrison Herald Articles - 004. Retrieved 27 Nov 2016.
5. John Walters, Aldershot Review, Jarrolds (1970) p42
6. Walters, pg43
7. G. Daniell, Aldershot: A Record of Mrs Daniell's Work Amongst Soldiers and its Sequel (1879) p26
8. Howard N. Cole, The Story of Aldershot: a History of the Civil and Military Towns, Gale & Polden, Aldershot (1951) p151
9. Walters, p54
10. Freemasonry in Aldershot - Aldershot Masonic Centre website
11. "Miss Daniell's Soldiers' Homes – Armed Forces Charities website". armedforcescharities.org.uk. Retrieved 27 Nov 2016.
External links
• History of Miss Daniell's Soldiers' Home at Brompton
• History of Miss Daniell's Soldiers' Homes