St Martin's Home For Boys, Surbiton

In the early 1880s it became clear to Edward Rudolph that many of the poorest children were not receiving satisfactory medical treatment. At this time in Britain's history, there was very little state funded provision for those who suffered illnesses. Edward Rudolf believed that the problem could only be solved with action from corporate bodies, and that the Waifs and Strays' Society should expand its work into this area.

In 1887 Mr Rudolf launched a fundraising campaign as a memorial to Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. This proved successful and St Nicholas’ Home for Boys in Byfleet was opened in 1893, followed by this home - St Martin’s Home for Boys in Surbiton, during 1898. St Martin’s could accommodate twenty-one boys, aged between eight and fourteen. The boys were trained as tailors, to help them find employment in later life.

Due to rapid developments in healthcare, the Society decided to move the Surbiton Home to a purpose-built hospital in Byfleet. This became St Martin's Orthopaedic Hospital And Special School, which opened in 1916. The old Surbiton building was re-opened as St Cecilia’s Home for Girls.