Did you know that...
Mesolithic artifacts uncovered near Dewes Farm in Harefield show that this area was inhabited since the early days, however, the first mention comes from the 11th century. Harefield is recorded in the Domesday Book as Herefelle. The name is derived from the Old English words “here” which means army and “felle” which means field. Before the Norman conquest, this North West London area belonged to Countess Goda who was the sister of King Edward the Confessor. After the Norman conquest, Norman lord Richard FitzGilbert took over Harefield. This manor could support 1,200 pigs. It came in second in the hundred of Elthorne.
The original manor was divided into the main Harefield manor and the smaller Brackenbury and Moorhall manors. It was owned by the descendants of Richard FitzGilbert until 1235 when the Batchworths took over. Harefield Park was a military hospital during World War I. Those who died in this hospital rest in the churchyard of St Mary’s. A church in this UB9 area might have been here since the 11th century as the Domesday Book mentions a local priest. The present-day church has medieval characteristics. It was restored in the 18th and 19th centuries. Harefield Hospital is another landmark. It was established in 1937. Doctor Magdi Yacoub performed the first live lobe lung transplant at this hospital. In the 80s, it was one of the most important transplant centers. Nobel prize winner Alexander Fleming worked as a regional pathologist at the Harefield Hospital.
Media personality Russell Grant spent his childhood years in Harefield. Singer Brian Connolly of the Sweet band grew up here as well. Surgeon and social reformer Thomas Wakley lived in this area. A memorial stone within the hospital grounds honors him. He was also the founder of The Lancet, one of the oldest peer-reviewed medical journals in the world. Victoria cross recipient Gerald Goodlake is buried at Saint Mary’s cemetery.
