Burnt House, Cuckfield, Sussex

[Westozi]

My grandfather fought on the western front during the First World War.  On 1st May 1918 his company had the gruesome task of burying some Allied soldiers.  Pop says in his diary, “Today being a little foggy I along with two mates put in the morning burying English Tommies who have been lying dead in front of our trench for several days”.  One of the English soldiers was Lady Kennedy's son Captain John Kennedy.  Pop took a watch from the Captain and when in England handed it to Lady Kennedy, telling her where her son was buried - she did not know until then where he had been buried.  She had already lost two sons in the war (she had 4 sons and only 1 survived the war). She was grateful to my grandfather and gave him a silver trinket box engraved with her thanks.  They seemed to have corresponded for a time and she wrote to him from Burnt House, the letter I've mentioned before

[Jill on the A272]

There's a beautiful memorial to the three Kennedy sons in Cuckfield church (various photos on the internet), I was there the other day, though it's very high on the wall and in dark area under the bell tower so not easy to appreciate.

[Westozi]

Thank you for telling me about the memorial, Jill.  I found it on the internet and it is indeed beautiful.  I shall show it to my father, he will be so interested

[sillgen]

Lady Kennedy is buried in Cuckfield Churchyard.  The museum has at least two different postcard views of Stafford House.  They will email copies for a donation.

[mimi272]

Hello again

I have asked my Dad if he remembers any info re Burnt House. He doesn't know anything from this far back I'm afraid, but he does know that it was used as a Guest House before the 2nd World War and during the war it was used by Canadian officers whilst their troops were billeted at Cuckfield hospital prior to the Normandy landings, along with many other places in the South of England. Sir John and Lady Woods were living at Burnt House with their family (he was Permanent secretary to the Board of trade) until he died and Lady Woods decided the house would be too big for her on her own. They had a son but he tragically died in a car crash whilst driving his father's Bentley.

I have plenty of photos of the house from the time we had it, but I have just moved so need to find them amongst all the boxes.

I can send you some if you want?

Michelle

[Westozi]

I'd be thrilled to bits if you could send me some photos of the house, Michelle, when you've had time to find them.  Thank you.  And thanks for asking your Dad what he remembered

[pandora259]

I realize this is an old thread but I stumbled across it when I was looking for a newer photo of Stafford House/Hilton Park Hotel. I lived there for several months when I was a little girl when I first moved to England in 1985 and remember the house and grounds (and the lovely owners and staff) very well.
I will look for some photos for you if you are still interested. Just let me know!

[Westozi]

Hello Pandora259
Always interested in photos so if you have any you'd like to share, please do so.  Love to see them
Regards
Ann

[granty56]

I regularly work in Burnt House Farmhouse, in fact I was there on Friday fixing the heating. It is not the same building as what was the Hilton Park Hotel which is next door but does share the same drive. It's a beautiful old house with many original features. For a change the original old beams haven't been painted black. the stone roof is stunning and I often wonder how much it must weigh. The house is rented out and is owned now by Sir Richard Kleinwort and forms part of the Heaselands country estate. Next time I go I will try and get some photographs.