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The information in this section is an edited version taken from Llanelli - Birth of a Town a CdRom by William and Benita Rees

Dr Barnardo

1866 Thomas Barnardo who had left Dublin in 1866 had a burning ambition to become a medical missionary in China. He arrived in London determined to study medicine and whilst he was studying he heard of a movement that was trying to bring some schooling to poor boys in the slums of the East End. When Barnardo saw the depravation of the young lads he was so shocked that he decided to set up his own refuge for waifs and strays.

1868 Barnardo had raised enough money to open his first Mission House which was a dingy brick building near the railway line in the East End of London. Across the front was emblazoned the words NO DESTITUTE CHILD EVER REFUSED ADMISSION. Within two years all thoughts of going to China had been abandoned as he realised his life’s work ‘on his doorstep’.