History - The Building

Built on "the Green where the otter hunters used to picnic", the original address of The Nurse's Cottage was "The Bungalow, Station Road". It dates from 1909, as a fragment of a builder's merchants label unearthed during alterations to the roof in the 1990's records: "Built by A Kitcher and Harry, in the year 1909 June". This was almost certainly Albert Edward Kitcher who is recorded in the 1901 Census as "Carpenter and Builder, School House, Church Lane, Sway"; the school connection is through his wife Charlotte, who was the School Mistress for many years.

Although The Bungalow was built in 1909, there is no formal record of an occupant prior to 1915, when "Miss Frances Sarah Liddle, District Nurse" is recorded both in the Electoral Register and Kelly's Directory. A nurse, after all, was a woman of some standing, usually a spinster from good stock, whereas even a highly valued chauffeur was still a servant. It is said that, rather like the stable lads sleeping above their charges, the chauffeur for whom it is supposed The Bungalow was originally built was ill at ease away from his cars and one can only imagine quarters being found for him adjoining the garage.

What is a certain matter of record, from the June 1913 New Forest Magazine (published jointly by the area's Churches), is that "the Committee of the Nurse Fund have accepted a very generous offer made by Mr and Mrs Herbert Moser of the Bungalow near the Post Office, and in the very centre of the village, as a residence for the nurse, and Nurse Liddell [note the spelling] is now living there. At the same time we shall all wish to acknowledge our gratitude to Dr Rennie for giving the use of his cottage during the last few years."

Herbert Moser was a great benefactor to the village and most of his "gifts" remained, strictly, his property until his estate was realised following his death in 1925.

[photo] - fragment of a builder's merchants label unearthed during alterations

[photo] - Old photo of the outside of the Nurse's Cottage
site by aack