Ironically the imposing Mythe House was probably demolished in 1954/5[1] because of neglect during its period of occupation by US army officers in World War II: no doubt it was chosen by them because of its local pre-eminence.

            When it was last sold in 1981, the particulars[2] claimed that the estate comprised 9.5 acres and that the house had been built in 1725 for de L'Isle family.  Asylum seekers from the French Revolution, it was the marquis who gave the land for the building of St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church on the other side of the Turnpike Road to Worcester.  It was then remodelled in "Strawberry Hill Gothic" in 1812, although there was also a standard Georgian Coach House.[3]

            Not much is known about the house before the first detailed census of 1841 when it was inhabited by Joseph Longmore but it may be that he inhabited the house in 1819 hen an infant death was recorded.[4]  It may well be that the source of his wealth was West Indian slavery since he was involved with the political struggle against abolition before 1838: “…tho' not a planter, [Mr. Longmore] has been for many years and still is, I believe, intimately connected with West India Property”.[5] In 1851 the family had 6 resident servants and Mr. Longmore died in 1854, a year before his son of cholera en route for the Crimean War.[6]

            By 1861, and until 1897, the house was occupied by the less controversial Rev. Charles W. Grove who was a great benefactor of the town laving an organ at the abbey and alms houses which still bear his name.  It may be that, wealthy as he was, he only leased the house – or that after his death the house was leased

            The next occupant was the Drysdale family.  Robert C. Drysdale was a retired Colonel in the Army and had been born Scotland; his second wife was Hungarian.[7]  She had a son wounded during the relief of Kimberley[8] in the Boer War and Col Drysdale lost a son, missing presumed dead after he was captured by Boers at Slabberts Nek.[9] The Colonel himself died at his London home in 1904.[10]

It is a little confusing but Mrs Ruddle “of Mythe House” is reported doing good deeds from there in 1900 and in 1910 she “entertained the adult inmates of the workhouse to tea in her garden”.[11]  She known as the “Lady of the Mythe” by the time of her death aged 95 in 1917.[12]

 Forward to History B/End Notes

 Back to Mythe House Photos/Mythe Camp in WWII