14 October 2025
On Sunday 12th October, St Michael's Church in Theydon Mount led a Baby Loss Memorial Service, a time of remembrance and reflection in honour of all the little lives gone too soon and the families who carry their memory.
Thanks to the generosity of Wendy Thompson, a local neighbour to the Church, a new Memorial was unveiled in memory of the babies born at the East London Maternity Hospital 1939-1940 (Hill Hall, Theydon Mount) and buried at St Michael's Church, Theydon Mount.
At the beginning of World War II, Hill Hall was offered by its owner Lord Edward Hay, to be used for the war effort and expectant mothers from the East London Maternity Hospital were evacuated there for their births and sometimes longer.
On 25th September 1940, a parachute mine landed in the front courtyard of Hill Hall and everyone was evacuated to Spriggs Oak, Epping. However, two weeks later, on 9th October 1940, Spriggs Oak suffered a direct hit, and eight expectant mothers were killed - the biggest loss of life at one event in Epping's history.
Hill Hall can be seen from St Michael’s churchyard. Now part of English Heritage, the building is partly private residential, but parts remain available for pre-booked guided tours. One of the tours guides has met at least 21 of the babies born through that time during the war.
Unfortunately, the church doesn’t have detailed records of the babies who died, and still births were not recorded at that time. In 2022, the parish registers (held at the Essex Records Office) were checked, but they had suffered considerable water damage when the church safe was stolen in the 1960s - the silver had been removed and the remainder of the contents including the registers were thrown into the River Lea. Eight babies deaths were found to have been recorded, but it is expected that more may also be buried at St Michael's.
It is for this reason that Wendy Thompson wanted to fund a proper Memorial.
Wendy explained:
"Many years ago I was visiting the church to see an exhibition. When I heard about the babies who had died at Hill Hall, I asked where their graves were. I was sad and amazed when a plot of brambles was pointed out to me. I said then that I would be happy to do something to rectify this. I often think now of all the sadness in the world and of the babies and children with unmarked graves. I am so happy that these little souls in Theydon Mount can now be remembered. Also, that their families can now if requested know of their resting place."
One of the babies born at Hill Hall attended the Baby Loss Memorial service at St Micheal’s. The Reverend Sarah Moss, Vicar at Theydon Mount St Michael, led the service, and The Venerable Jonathan Croucher, the Archdeacon of Chelmsford, along with Wendy, unveiled this new memorial.
Commenting on the service, Revd Sarah said:
"It was deeply moving to see our community come together to honour the babies whose lives were far too short, and to hold in love the families who continue to carry their memory.
"The memorial connects us to a tender part of our local history. It stands now as a symbol of remembrance, compassion, and enduring love. The unveiling of this memorial ensures that their stories and their significance are never forgotten."
