Matlock Bath, Derbyshire: Where Canadian Officers Convalesced

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The Royal Hotel in Matlock Bath was taken over by the Canadian Army during the first world war. They used it as an officer’s convalescence hospital. The hotel remained luxurious; the place was known as somewhere where the officers had a good time and hosted many parties. One of the officers that resided there was a William Cowen. When he returned to Canada he became a film director in Hollywood. He directed the first spoken Oliver Twist movie in 1933. Many of the officers formed relationships with local women. Major George Stoddard from Canada married Beatrice Hardstaff, they had a daughter, now Georgina Clarke. She still lives in Derbyshire. There was a fire after the war at the hotel and part of it was closed and eventually knocked down. Today it’s a car park. Location: Matlock Bath, Derbyshire DE4 3NR Image: Canadian soldiers in Matlock Bath with local girls, courtesy of Charles Beresford