IN honour of the recent Mental Health Awareness Week we were taking a look back at the archive of the Dorset County Lunatic Asylum, which was once at Charlton Down near Dorchester.

The Dorset History Centre has an archive running from 1829 to 1989.

This week we're going to take our first look into the archives.

In 1915, we hear that 109 patients have been transferred to the hospital from Bristol, where the asylum has been converted to use as a War Hospital, and several staff have left to work in munitions.

However, this is only the beginning of the challenges to come.

In 1916 patients are being transferred not only from Bristol, but from Middlesex as well, with the Asylum housing 1,124 patients.

In addition, the report tells us that;

“Since the war began 2 Assistant Medical Officers, a Clerk, 2 Stokers, and 21 male Attendants have gone on military service”.

The next report is not produced until October 1918, probably because of a shortage of available Inspectors.

By now, the increase in inpatient numbers due to patient transfers, including from Portsmouth where US forces were using the hospital, was having a considerable impact on the running of the asylum.

“The result of this patriotic action has necessarily been somewhat to over-crowd the Asylum some of the day rooms having had to be converted into dormitories while beds have had to be placed in some of the Ward Corridors.”

The number of attendants had been “considerably depleted owing to War Service and at the present time much difficulty is being experienced in obtaining the services either of suitable Tempor[ar]y Attendants or of young women who are ready to enter Asylum Service”.

The report praises the medical staff and the head doctor, Dr. Peachell, “on the manner in which he is administering the Institution in times of considerable difficulties”.

Charlton Down Local history Group is currently aiming to collect memories from people who lived, worked or were treated at Herrison.

If you feel that you may be able to contribute to this project, please contact Maria Gayton, Community Engagement Officer at the Dorset History Centre, on 01305 228947, or at m.gayton@dorsetcc.gov.uk