William moved to The Hall in nearby Welwyn in 1920, so Foxholes became the home of Philip Henry Devitt, of the shipping company Devitt & Moore. Three years later, and Sir Philip bought the old orchard and garden to the east of Foxholes.
In 1930, Sir Philip bought William Kitchener's garden in a move some predict was a way to protect Foxholes' rural surroundings from Hitchin Urban District Council's plans for new roads and housing in the nearby Crow furlong.
Foxholes Care Home has revealed its rich and diverse history after its successful 'history hunt'
- Credit: Archant
Foxholes had a new owner in 1933, when it was sold to Hubert Moss, a provision merchant of Hitchin. But six years later, at the turn of the Second World War, the building was converted into a maternity ward where it stood until 1951.