Wick House – home to country gents and war heroes

Wick House in Salisbury is a late Victorian country house that has formerly been the home of a number of distinguished residents. Today, the house has been divided into separate homes, but for most of its history the house was a grand country home.

Wick House showing today's Mesh Wick House

Wick House, built in the Queen Anne Style, became the home of Captain Archibald Hicks Beach, with his wife Victoria and their two young daughters, in 1890. However, by the turn of the 20th century the house had become the home of Henry Gallup.

The 1901 census shows Henry Gallup, a young gentleman aged 26, living in the house with his friend, 27 year old James Rawlence, both on independent means. At this time they lived in Wick House with six live-in servants. Henry Gallup played an active part in local affairs, including being master of the Wilton Hunt and president of the Downton Quoiting Club.

In 1912, Wick House became the home of the Bonvalot family, Antoine and Emily, along with their two sons, Edward and Cecil. Sadly, Edward was later killed at the Battle of Loos, during World War I in 1915. It was this sacrifice that inspired Emily Bonvalot to donate an area of ground near to Wick House for the creation of a memorial garden for all the residents of Downton.

Wick House changed hands a number times during the early 20th century, but the greatest change came after World War II when the house was on the market once again.

Wick House sales particulars 1949

Rare surviving sales particulars give great details of the house and grounds at this time, including descriptions of bedrooms, drawing room, sitting room and gun room. Wick House was acquired by Mrs Grenfell for her girls school, officially opening in August 1949. Mrs Grenfell was the wife of Captain Russell Grenfell, successful naval captain and author of a number of books, including The Art of the Admiral.

Wick House remained a girls school until the early 1960s, when the house was converted into separate homes, Wick House, Mesh Wick House and Mesh Wick Hall.

For the full history go to - The history of Mesh Wick House – Downton