Back to Little Belgium in Lymm, Oughtrington Hall: The Henry Ford Archive Default Images

Watching a tractor ploughing the field at Oughtrington Hall, Cheshire, England, 1918

Throughout almost the whole of the First World War, Oughtrington Hall, (now part of Lymm High School) was home to a colony of Belgian Refugees who had fled to England, along with 250,000 others to escape the German invasion.  This colony was funded entirely by Henry Ford, the motor-car magnate.

Percival Perry, chairman of Ford Motor Company Limited (Ford of Britain) during World War I, had relayed the plight of the Belgian refugees to Henry and Clara Ford. With their authority, Perry leased Oughtrington Hall to accommodate ninety men, women and children. 

This unique collection provides not only  glimpses of Oughtrington Hall as it was over 100 years ago but also an insight into what life was like for the refugees.

Image details

Location Oughtrington Hall
Photographer Commissioned by Percival Lea Dewhurst Perry, 1878 - 1956
Donor The Henry Ford
Era 1918
Medium Photograph
Image Reference LH01994
Copyright Owner