West Dean in Wiltshire, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)

King George's Hall

— West Dean Village History Trail —

Photographed by Ray Gurganus, April 1, 2025

1. King George's Hall Marker

Inscription. This building was built as a milk factory. At first it was run by the Wilts and Hants Dairy Company and later became the Salisbury, Semley and Gillingham Dairy. Milk came from Winterslow, Whiteparish, the Grimsteads and the Tytherleys as well as West Dean. Milk was cooled and put in churns and then on a trolley to be taken to the station for dispatch. The trolley was pulled by a trusty donkey who took it to and from the station by itself-no driver needed. In summer cheese was made at the factory.

Once the collection of milk from farms changed to motor transport, the factory closed and the building stood empty for a while. Then it was decided to turn it into a much needed village hall. The conversion work was done by local builder Hursts of Awbridge and from the early 1930s it became King George's Hall. A look at the rear of the building shows clearly some of the structural changes made.

During the Second World War when American forces were stationed in the village - see board at the Hut - the hall was taken over by them and used as their dining area or mess hall. When the Norman Court Estate was sold in 1945-for more

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information about that see the board on the village green - King George's Hall was not sold but given to the village by the Singer family as a memorial to the late Captain Grant Singer who had been killed at the Battle of El Alamein in 1942.

Erected by West Dean Parish Council. (Marker Number 13.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • War, World II.

Location. 51° 2.554′ N, 1° 38.114′ W. Marker is in West Dean, England, in Wiltshire. It is on Rectory Hill. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Rectory Hill, West Dean, England SP5 1JQ, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South West England.

Globally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean,

in the North Atlantic Region,

in Europe,

in Atlantic Europe,

on one of the British Isles,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Royal Naval Armaments Depot (here, next to this

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marker); Bridge Cottage (here, next to this marker); Garage and Petrol Station (here, next to this marker); West Dean School (here, next to this marker); Dean House (here, next to this marker); The Post Office (here, next to this marker); The Wheelwright's and Blacksmith's Shop (here, next to this marker); Henrietta Crook House (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West Dean.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 26, 2025, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 94 times since then and 12 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on May 26, 2025, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. photo of the marker within its surroundings • Can you help?