Stourhead Estate

Stourton, BA12 6QF Stourton

England Wiltshire Stourton

Captain Henry Colt Arthur "Harry" Hoare was the sole heir of Sir Henry Hugh Arthur and Lady Alda Annie (nee Weston) Hoare. Harry joined the Queen's Own Dorset Yeomanry in 1914 and served in France and Gallipoli before the regiment deployed to the Middle East. During the battle of Mughar Ridge on 13 November, Harry suffered serious wounds whilst attempting to rescue some horses. He died of his wounds on 20 December 1917, aged 29 years old.
Commemorated at Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Panel B. 34, Egypt
Memorial plaque in St Peters Church Stourton.

During WW1, Lady Alda tended wounded soldiers at mere hospital and invited them to convalesce in the house and gardens of Stourhead.

At the outbreak of WW2, Sir Henry gave permission for the estate to be used by the military. RAF Zeals was built in 1941 and used by the RAF, USAAF, New Zealand Air Force and Fleet Air Arm upto 1946.
Army units, including Grenadier Guards, 7th Devonshire Regiment and the Liaison Regiment, were also based at Stourhead, the officers being billet in the house and the other ranks in the Spread Eagle pub and local farms.
Having no heir, Sir Henry gifted the House and Gardens to the National Trust in 1946, shortly before both he and his wife died within 6 hours of each other on 25 March 1947.

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