Talgarth Hospital - Private John Lewis

 Talgarth, Powys.  A market town, 19 miles north of Crickhowell; 19 miles north-east of Brecon; 15 miles south-east of Builth Wells.  The village's history dates to 1121, when it was referred to as Talgarth; after 1130, it was known as Talgard, and from 1203 until the present Talgarth.  Its name derives from the Welsh words tal (forehead or brow of a hil) and garth (mountain ridge or promontory).  According to traditional accounts, Talgarth was the early medieval capital of Brycheiniog.

Located in the village today, there is a 14^th-century church and defensive tower house.

Talgarth Mental Asylum

However, it is the history of the mental asylum, which was situated in the village that this blog will be covering.

The hospital was built in 1900 from the designs of Giles, Gough, and Trollope Architects of London. The hospital was originally opened on the 18^th of March 1903 and was named the Mid Wales Hospital, formerly the Brecon and Radnor Joint Counties Lunatic Asylum. The hospital was in 261 acres of land.

The hospital consisted of six small wards, Acute, Chronic, Epileptic, and Infirm, along with an admission, and a sick ward.  Typically, in the Edwardian era, hospital wards were built and segregated by sex, so 6 wards were built for the men along with 6 for the women. Also, there was a large recreation hall and dining hall, kitchens, and workshops, where patients were encouraged to spend their time profitably.  Also, there was a tailor, bakery, shoemaker, and printer shop.  There was also an 8 acres of market gardens.  Able-bodied patients worked in the gardens and produced food for the hospital.

Talgarth Mental Asylum Chapel

Along with the main hospital, a chapel, and a mortuary were also built.  The final built have been built was the Georgian manor, which was converted for the Superintendents.

The asylum was designed to be self-sufficient and had its own private water, electricity, heating, and sewage storage.

Patients to the hospital came from Brecon, however, they did come from further afield such as Swansea and Shrewsbury.  The hospital could cater for 352 patients which rose to 455 by 1925.

During the First World War, soldiers were also sent to the asylum.  They had the effects of battles they had fought in.

Following the outbreak of the Second World War, the military scoured the country for suitable hospitals for wounded soldiers. In April 1940, 315 beds were made available for soldiers who were suffering from shell shock. During the war and the number of soldiers being treated here, the hospital was handed over to the Joint War Organization, the collaboration between the Red Cross and the Order of St. John, and the hospital was used for Italian and German POWs.  The War Department released its beds on 31^st December 1946.

 The hospital finally closed in 1997.

Private John Lewis

There is a lone war grave in the church grounds, however, there are unmarked graves of paupers.  The grave of John Lewis.

Private John Lewis, served with the 6^th Battalion, Welsh Regiment.  Died on 20^th October 1915, aged 47. John was the husband of Mary Jane Lewis, of 8 Pant Street, Danygraig.

The only census for John is 1901.

John who was born in Millbrook, Cornwall, was 33.  He was residing at 21 Northumberland Street, St. Budeaux, Devon, the family home.  John’s occupation is recorded as General Labourer.

1901 Census

Also present at the address is his wife, Mary Jane, 35, and their children, Rachel Martha, 13; Edith Lucy, 12; Annie Maud, 7; Arthur John, 4 and Edward Enoch, 3.

John and Mary Jane were married in 1888.

1911 Census

There is no trace of John in the 1911 Census, however, Mary Jane, 47, had moved to Swansea and lived at 3 Ty Mawr Street, St. Thomas, accompanied by 3 children.  Mary’s occupation is recorded as Charwomen, whilst Arthur John, 15, is a Tin Works Labourer; Edward Enoch, 14 is a Newspaper Seller, and Beatrice Mary, 6.

Sadly, Edward who also served during the First World War with the South Wales Borderers, 11^th Battalion was killed in action on 3^rd November 1917 and is buried at Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery.