Streatley Casual Ward

The photo shows the newly erected Streatley Casual Ward, previously situated along the Bedford Road (A6) just skirting the boundary of Luton.

Estimated cost of £14,000 it was opened by Alderman Arnold in 1934 described as a "Tramps Palace".

Alderman Arnold ,Vice Chairman of the Joint Vagrancy Committee announced, "The care and treatment of vagrants should be a national responsibility, he says these men move from depressed areas and into towns seeking work "

"It is often the case these vagrants are persecuted like the tramps of pre- war days, when in reality most are Ex- Servicemen who fought for their Country and simply fell on difficult times".

The Streatley Ward included 17 acres of arable land in preparation for cultivation by the casuals , with the potential for self sufficiency , they were responsible for their own laundry and general maintenance of the building, this in exchange for free board and lodgings.

The building was fully furnished and was capable of accommodating 140 casuals, however things didn't quite go to plan, when word spread amongst the "tramp camps" that on arrival at the "Palace" you were stripped of clothing ,possessions and money, then swiftly directed to the showers before admittance, plus the discouraging feature of a 9 feet boundary fence to restrict non- paying absconders fleeing , this didn't go down to well with the vagrants.

Very few casuals turned up ,the vagrants unimpressed simply continued their humble existence , the numbers of interns fell and by 1936 there was a need to import outside labour.

The 1939 register states 60 inmates, the youngest 23 years of age.

I traced 3 of the casuals to find out what had befell them in life , the first was Thomas McEvoy age 49 years , in 1935 he didn't quite reach the casual ward, he was found in poor health sleeping under a hedge in Bramingham Road , he died shortly after.

He carried papers stating he served 4 years (1915-19) in the Royal Navy , born in Kingstown Dublin, the last contact with his family was a telegram telling them he was heading for Luton. The inquest revealed Chronic T.B.

Charles Sirett, born 11 February 1892 from Buckinghamshire served in the First War, he suffered a minor injury but returned to duty , however seriously wounded again losing his right eye he was discharged unfit , now unable to find work and his parents since died he turned to drink, drifting from place to place including the Streatley Casual Ward, he died in 1973 London.

Horace Shaw born 29th January 1900 from Wolverhampton , his school report aged ten states of " bad character and frequently absent" , he was under the guardianship of his grandfather.

Horace left home around 14years of age and drifted between casual wards , his first recorded conviction was when he was seventeen , 10 more offences followed, mostly petty theft and housebreaking.

He constantly lied in Court about serving in the Military , the bulk of his life was spent in and out of prisons, certainly not in the trenches.

After leaving the Streatley Ward in 1940 he was arrested for breaking and entering Bedford Cinema, no further records after this.

Later years the Streatley Casualty Ward was transformed into " St Margaret's Home" for elderly gents, demolished in the late 1990's the "Keech Hospice " now occupies the site.