Robson Maternity Home, Esk House, Bowesfield Lane c1965. (c1920-1968).
A Volkswagen Beetle and a Ford Cortina are included in the view.
Picture Stockton Archive
A Pictorial History of Stockton-on-Tees
Robson Maternity Home, Esk House, Bowesfield Lane c1965. (c1920-1968).
A Volkswagen Beetle and a Ford Cortina are included in the view.
Picture Stockton Archive 
I was also born at the Robson in March 1949, my family lived in old Camden St, now gone. My grandmother was a cleaner at the Bowesfield Pub. My brother was also born in the Robson in late February 1955, he was born on Pancake Tuesday during a snow-storm. I had to run down to the Robson each lunch-time with hot food for my mother that my grandmother had prepared. I had to ring the bell and wait on the door-step until someone came and took the food from me, I was not allowed to see my mam, I was only six years old at the time. My mam told me that she was not allowed to smoke while she was confined, even in those days, so she use to stand on the toilet seat, with her head out of the window and have a crafty fag.
We moved to the new houses in Portrack when my brother was four weeks old.
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I was born at the Robson in 1968. I’ve made a Facebook group for those who were born there. Search facebook groups – ‘I was born at Robson Maternity Home, Stockton-on-Tees’.
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I WAS BORN AT THE ROBSON ON THE 6th NOVEMBER 1952. MY DAD ROBERT & MUM OLIVE KIRKWOOD nee HIBBINS LIVED IN WOODLAND STREET WITH RELATVES BOB & BESSIE HOGG TILL 1954, WHEN WE MOVED TO FALKIRK. I HAVEN’T BEEN BACK TO STOCKTON FOR APPROX 45 YEARS. STILL REMEMBER ROPENER PARK THOUGH.
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I was born here in May 1960, my parents lived in Walter Street on the other side of Yarm Road, my mother was Ethel Buckingham nee Gilbraith.
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I was born in Robsons Maternity Home on Coronation Day May 12th 1937.
My father Stanley moved the family to Stocksbridge, S.Yorks in 1939 to be employed in the stainless steel trade.
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Just to carry on from Aline Chapmans comments, my wife gave birth to our daughter Karen on the 6th July 1967 in the Robson and I was one of those workers, during the few days she was in, when passing I would run up the path to the left hand window which she could open, for a sly visit, all be it from outside. Ah Memories.
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I had my daughter at the Robson on the 23rd May 1967. I went in when it was hometime for the workmen who were walking down Bowesfield Lane from Ashmores. I had to make my way through them all in heavy labour and my baby was born soon after. It’s funny how these things stick in your mind.
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Hi Gordon, yes I am the wee gal who used to walk through the spray shop on her way to school. My uncle is Jack, and still around at 89, like me he and his wife and family moved north of the border to bonnie Scotland.
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I to was born at the Robson in 1949. Pam are you the Pam Dinsdale who used to walk through the garage when I was an apprentice there from 1958 until 1961. I think you were about thirteen or so, your dad was Billy Dinsdale if you are the person I think. I believe your grandad was Fred, and the other Fred Dinsdale your uncle. Nice to hear you are fit and well.
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I remember Pam from Dinsdales Garage at Stockton when she lived at Yarm. I saw her in Glasgow where she now lives married to Dr Robin Anthony Painter, a chemical engineer who is retired but still travels the world working in Venezuela, Cuba, India, Middle East even though he is retired. Very busy and still takes three holidays a year abroad, lucky Pam eh!
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Yes I too was born at The Robson in April 1946.
Barton House, in Yarm Road, which became a Solicitors office was private, ie you paid to be there.
My sister was born at home, above the shop Dinsdale’s garage on Yarm Lane.
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I was born in the Robson on the 21st November, 1950. We lived in a prefab in Berkshire Road, Norton but moved to South Wales in 1952, where I still live. But I’m planning on coming back asap!
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I was born there on 30 August 1956 to Thelma Raw. Not sure if it has already been mentioned but I was told that there is a hotel on the grounds called the Stork Hotel?
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My mam, Audrey Watson (nee Hill) worked at the Robson before her marriage and up to me being born in 1956. She has fond memories of her time there.
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I was born november 1956 in Robson Maternity home. My name is Gwen Stockdale. We lived in Hartington Road Stockton . My mams name was Mary Stockdale maiden name Hunt. Dads name Jim Stockdale. I went to Bowesfield Lane school until I was 10 then we moved to North Lincolnshire with my Dads work.
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As far as I’m aware, and I used to live round the corner from this building and attended the youth group, Stockton Sea Cadet Corp, right next door to this building, this was never classed as a hospital but was an official maternity home. Splitting hairs I know but Stockton-on-Tees seems to have lost far to much of it’s modern history. Stockton & Thornaby Hospital was further along Bowesfied Lane oppostie what was Bowesfield Lane School. Again right opposite the boys end.
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My grandmother, Evelyn Stoker, gave birth to my father, Clifford, in this hospital.
Her sisters were Ada, Margaret, brother Harold – would anyone know of them? They lived on Norton Road. Does anyone know if there are any records kept re hospital births? My step-grandad was Ernest Craven, maybe you recollect his name from Stockton also? Any information would be lovely to hear.
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I was born there 24th Nov 1946. My mother Alice and father Roland Smith, lived at 2 Stoker Street with my brothers William (Bill), David and eldest sister Valerie. All born there. Stoker Street was at the bottom end of Dovecot St. We later moved to 3 Blacksail Close on the Wrensfield Estate.
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We lived in 4 stoker street I remember your family
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My daughter was born in the Robson, Mandy Jayne Charlton born in 1966. It was a lovely place to have a baby, and yes you did have to stay in for 10 days, which I sometimes think wasn’t such a bad thing as you had time to really get to know your baby, and there was always someone to give help and advice when needed. Something that would benefet a lot of young people today.
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Born at Robson maternity home, November 18th 1959.
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My two older brothers, myself and our younger sister were all born in the Robson, 1940, 1943, 1948 and 1958, as were a lot of people in Stockton. My husband was born in 1949 in the West End Nursing Home which was a private nursing home, wasn’t that in Rosalind Terrace?
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My father was born at the Robson too,25th june
1942,his name was Clifford Stoker,his mum was
Evelyn Stoker who lived on Norton Avenue,Norton. Maybe you knew her?.Would anyone know if any records were kept regarding births and their parents?. I have only just obtained my fathers birth certificate and am now attempting to locate his fathers name..
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I was born there in 1958. still got my birth tag
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Hello. My mother Mary Campbell had a little boy around that time I wonder if you are he?
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When I first saw the photo it certainly looked like a working class neighbourhood of terraced houses that would not have had any domestic servants. Since both sides of my family (myself included) are from Cheshire, I have to assume that it was my biological grandfather who had some connection with Alexandra Street. Exactly what that connection was, will probably remain a mystery.
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Alexandra Street in Stockton was off Oxbridge Lane, behind the row of shops – next to Mary Street, where there is now a small industrial estate, so the actual Alexandra Street was knocked down for this development. They would probably have been the same type of housing as Wren Street, Childeray Street, Norfolk and Suffolk Streets, which surround it, and still stand today – small terrace houses with no front garden and back yards. It would have been a working class area, certainly not large establishments with servants, so your Grandmother would not have been part of an army of servants, more likely the only one. It is about a 10 minute walk to the Robson Maternity Home from there.
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hello, I too was born in Robson Maternity home on Jan 28 1959. I was born with a double cleft lip and palate and had to be taken to Durham Road Children’s Hospital.
My Parents Brian and Marlene Cox and my 2 brothers all lived in Alexandra Street. They were indeed back to backs, with no front garden or bathroom with a small back yard where dad kept pigeons. We had a happy childhood but times were definitely harder then.
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I recently discovered that my father was born at the Robson Maternity home on 8th Sept 1920. His unwed mother worked as a domestic servant in Alexandra Street. He never knew who his biological father was. Does anyone know what sort of neighbourhood this was back in the 1920″s?
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Three of my children were born in the “Robson”, I have horrible memories of the only toilet available for us to use. Not very convenient when you”d had an enema!! I remember you from Tilery school Doreen, I”ve posted a school photo on the site T9901, you are on it standing next to Dorothy Gill.
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Interestingly, I too was born at the Robson Maternity Home in 1939 (October) born in Stockton later moving to Norton. My daughter was born at the same maternity home in 1960, also my son was born in l963(Christmas day. Now how about that for coincidence??
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I was born at the Robson Maternity home in 1939. I grew up in Norton and attended Richard Hind. I was married in 1959 at St Michaels church. My oldest daughter was born in the home in 1960 and my son in 1963. I have lived in the USA since 1966 and currently live in Houston, Texas. I visit friends in the Stockton area frequently.
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I was born in the Robson Maternity home, I was the first baby of the year – bang on the bells 01/01/1951. My mother went mad because the year before you got a silver cross pram and I only got a half crown and a silver spoon which I still have to this day. I always watch for where the first baby of the year has been born.
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I was born at the Robson maternity home in 1960. I lived in Fairfield for 5 years until my family moved to the USA. I currently live in Texas but visit family in the Stockton area as often as possible.
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I was born at the robson merternity home that my mother told me about in 1964 anyone knowing of what became of the sisters please let me know . jpm.
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Alan Waite, I was also a Marine cadet at TS Fortitude around 72-74ish, remember the back stairs upto the Marine Officers office, and the cupboard they kept the uniforms in? However you are mistaken about the building, The Robson Maternity Home / Stork Hotel was next door, on the right as you looked at Fortitude.
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After a few postings when I was living in the USA I am now back living in Scotland. It made me smile at the comments from Harry and Terry Dickin calling us 60″s babies youngsters and calling themselves silver tops…news for you terry and harry ..I”ve now joined you. At the ripe old age of 48 (in 2008) What hair I have left is grey/silver. I do get to Stockton to see family, but never been around to look at this area, may be worth a look this weekend.
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I was in the sea cadets in the 60″s Alan Waite. It was indeed the T.S. Fortitude, but to my recollection was next to the maternity home (to the left). I have a copy of the group photo of all the cadets and marines that you mentioned. Will dig it out for picture stockton. I think it was taken in 1966/7. I remember five of us cadets going on a cruise up the scottish coast on HMS Tiger a real cruiser battleship. I used to shout out orders to cadets using my Captain Pugwash impersonation. Happy Days.
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I was born there 12 April 1940. My mother lived in Norton and my father away at war. I moved in next door [Stockton & Thornaby Hospital] for 6 months in 1947 when I broke my leg playing at Billingham Infants School.
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I was born at Robson in 1938. My parents must have been living in Stockton at the time? Later moved to Haverton Hill…happy memories.
Now live in Hertfordshire. George Morris
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My son stephen was born in the Robson Maternity home 18th Dec 1951 when we lived in Vine Street, Parkfield. We now live in Perth Western Australia but often think of the happy days spent in the area, but surprised at all the changes being made to old buildings that could have been preserved. After reading Christine Carters comment I wondered if her husband was related to Fred Carter and his wife Polly, Son Fred and Daughter Betty who lived in my Grandads parlour in Grove Street in the 1930s. Fred and I were mates in that period often playing football in the back street, its along time ago but we had some good times those days.
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I was born in the Robson Maternity Home 19-6-1951 and went to live at Newham Grange Estate married and went to live in Yarm
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I was a Marine cadet in 1967/68 when the maternity home was TS Fortitude.Good days,..Are there any photographs of all the cadets at that time as I remember having been involved in a group photograph with everybody in full dress uniform Sea & Marine cadets
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My Son Stephen was born at Robson Maternity home on 18th September 1961 he now lives In Cairns Queensland Australia. He has a brother lives in Melbourne Vic Australia. While the rest of the family live in South Australia we used to live at 22 Outram Street which was a few streets away from Robson Maternity Home
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I knew a girl called or Eleanor (or Helena) Duncan who lived in Pearson Street, near Lindsay Street. Perhaps this is the same family?
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My mam was born in 1935 in robson home her name Winnifred Duncan. She was brought up in Pearson street. Her mam was Winnie and her father was John Duncan. Her sisters were Ida, Mabel & Laura. Brothers John and Jimmy – does any one remember the Duncan family?
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I seem to remember my late mother Maureen Fryer (nee Whitfield) mentioning a Winnie Duncan , My mother had me in the Robson on the 16th of May 1953 and we lived with my grandparents at 32 St Cuthberts Road (Mr and Mrs J Whitfield)
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The cross country runner was my brother Dennis born also at the Robson I think but a few months after Harry Rhodes at the beginning of January “30. Frank Showell”s Eagle Club (in the room above garage behind the Stockton Vicarage in RT Heselton”s days) was the remarkable work of Frank and his wife.
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It would seem that I must bow to Ken Sawyer”s claim to seniority in our respective arrivals at the Robson Maternity Home. A 1927 definitely beats a 1929, and so I relinquish the crown of Grandfatherdom to him, until some other “Ancient”submits a more valid claim. I seem to remember the name Sawyer as being a better than average cross country runner during the mid to late fourties when I was running for Frank Showell”s Eagle Club. Exhausting days!
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My son Ian was born in the Robson on April 1st 1967, in the corridor, with screens around, as the delivery room was busy! That was in the days when, if your husband took you there during the night, he was told to ring back in the morning to find out if the baby had been born. As it was April Fool”s Day, the nurse wanted to tell him I had given birth to twins! And yes, 10 days occupation was the norm for first babies. My second son Neil was born in the fairly new North Tees in 1973, and I cannot compare the two experiences, the Robson was far more homely and reassuring, because your own family doctor was actively involved. Luckily North Tees discharged you after 24 hours for a second child.
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Back in August 2005 Harry Rhodes wrote: Reading through the Birth Dates of you youngsters I feel rather like Gran”dad to the lot of you. He put in his granddad claim for 1929. I appeared on the Stockton scene in the Robson at the end of August 1927. Any advances or going further backwards in history?
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Its unreal the ammount of people that have been born there im one of about 50 family members that were born there mam 21-5-33 and me 4-4-63 we used to live just across the road from there in chalk street and nana for 70 something years in cecil street mam was also brought up there
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i was born at robsons maternity home,on the 28th july 1963.i moved to middlesbrough in 1979.
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i was born at the robson maternity home 14th feb 1968
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Hi Patricia,
Not sure if you will get this after so many years but I was born there on 16th February 1968!
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Both my wife Beverley was born there (1960) and myself (1956) – I bet back then they did not have C diff and MRSA to contend with.
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Hello ..I was born here in 1953. My mother is Betty(Cody) Nelson. (Middlesboro) We moved to canada in 1965. I returned with my mom to Robson mat home in 1986. First time back. I went into the room..but couldn”t feel any vibes. I now live in Squamish B.C. Canada. I am now on holiday in Maui Hawaii…and just decided to look up my birth place on google.Wow …nice pic of the old place. Sincerely Tanya Nelson Razzano
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I recently came across a Health Report in Stockton Library for the period 1948-50 which drew attention to the inadequate maternity facilities in Stockton. At that particular time the Robson Maternity Home only had 21 beds.Despite this, and no doubt due to financial stringency in the post-war years, it was 1968 before Stockton got its new maternity hospital on the North Tees site.
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