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Burghley House is one of Britain’s finest Elizabethan houses. For a while during the war its grandeur provided a temporary home to a group of Belgian officers fleeing their country. The house then became an auxiliary hospital for wounded soldiers.

Around 450 men were treated here. For many it was their last step to recovery before returning to the front lines.

The Marchioness took an active role in supporting the men and often gave them trips out in her car.

The Orangery, now a restaurant, was transformed into a rather elegant ward.
Patients were well catered for. Their meals included rabbit pie, hare soup and mutton chops. Roast beef was served on Sundays.

Location: Location: Burghley House, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 3JY
Image: Soldiers in the ‘Orangery’, and how it appears today as a restaurant. Photograph courtesy of Alwyn Pollard