“I as her mother want her home” Highvolume Play Pause Stop

Wilhelmina D Family Story: Part Three

Following the story of Wilhelmina D, between February and April 1922 there were letters from the family along with official documents relating to the possibility of this young girl returning to her home in Chorlton-cum-Hardy.

In late February 1922, Wilhelmina’s father wrote a letter to Dr. Gill at Calderstones. In this letter the father is referring to an official instruction that his daughter was to be away for 12 months and then ‘we were to send for her’.

A reply from Calderstones on February 28th stating that the Medical Superintendent does not consider Wilhelmina is ‘fit’ to leave ‘at present’.

An impassioned and strongly worded letter (probably sent early March) from Wilhelmina’s mother, in response to Calderstone’s refusal to let her daughter return home.

In March 1922 a copy of a licence from Calderstones authorising the release of Wilhelmina into the care of her father. In terms of the sequence of events this seems slightly confusing – as official correspondence in April still suggests there was doubt about Wilhelmina being allowed to leave. Perhaps the March licence was a copy prepared for issue only when all other paper work had been completed?

April 11th 1922 official report on Wilhelmina’s home circumstances in Chorlton-cum-Hardy.

April 20th letter from the Lancashire Mental Deficiency Act Committee, along with what seems to be the April 11th report, to the Medical Superintendant at Calderstones. Dr. Gill is asked as to whether Wilhelmina can be can ‘allowed out on licence to the care of her parents’.

For the next phase of the documentary account of the relationship between Wilhelmina, her family and Calderstones please go to “I shall be coming for our child on Sat next”.