Hearts of Oak Society

 
 



Hearts of Oak Staff at Christmas, 1939.
 


 


 


 

The Hearts of Oak Friendly Society were based at the castle for the duration of World War II. Two hundred and thirty staff made the initial move to the grounds on the first weekend of war. In those early days, the staff worked to secure the duplicate records to ensure that the data of the Society was safe from air raids. This enabled them to provide an uninterrupted service to their customers as it was believed that Herstmonceux was rural enough to significantly reduce the risk of attack from air raids.

Several weeks into World War II, the remainder of the society arrived at the castle. There were 600 workers during the peak presence of members working on the grounds. This was in addition to the Air Raid Precaution (ARP) wardens, guards, firefighters, and hospitality staff.

Staff Working Alongside the Hearts of Oak



Air Raid Precautions (ARP) refers to a number of groups within the United Kingdom commissioned to protect civilians from air raids. They are pictured here on the south entrance where you stand right now.
 


 


 


 



First-Aid staff pictured in the castle courtyard during WWII.
 


 


 


 



Hearts of Oak waitresses in the 1940s on the south front of the castle.
 


 


 


 

The Society's large staff and huge amount of work required many changes to be made to the castle in order to accommodate them which you will encounter first-hand as you navigate through the Herstmonceux grounds during the Second World War.



 


 


 


 

Sources

Calvert, D. (1982). The History of Herstmonceux Castle, 1st Edition. Royal Greenwich Observatory. S.E.R.C.

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