The Duke of Westminster performed the opening ceremony. The patients while at Parkgate would enjoy the benefits of the healthy seaside atmosphere and recover quicker. Patients usually stayed for three weeks. The Sanitorium was funded by "subscriptions" but how this actually worked in practice is for the moment unclear. Originally it was for convalescent men. In 1883 the adjoining house was purchased for the use of convalescent women and children.
The opening of hostilities in World War I found the Board of Management of the Chester Royal Infirmary in the midst of a vast building scheme; but nevertheless 20 beds were offered to the War Office for instant use. The Board also offered the Parkgate Convalscent Home, and by agreement with the War Office it was generously taken over by Mr..and the Hon. Mrs. H. N. Gladstone as a Convalscent Home for soldiers. Mrs Gladstone undertook, at her own expense, considerable improvernents and additions to the home, and carried on the work with conspicuous success until May, 1919.
After use as a Red Cross hospital in the 1914—l8 war, it was closed in 1923. It is understood that the buildings were demolished in 1950.
Being researched at present - any info let us know.
See Neston 1840-1940 Neston Library.
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