Early Life and Placement at Lagarie
Angela Montgomery was eight years old when she and her five siblings were taken into care and placed at the Lagarie home in Rhu. Now 63, she continues to bear the emotional burden of the experiences she endured there over 50 years ago.
The home, a large white building surrounded by green fields, was intended as a safe refuge for children of seafarers. However, numerous accounts from former residents reveal that behind its serene exterior, Lagarie was a site of fear, cruelty, and abuse.
Angela describes her time at Lagarie as akin to imprisonment.
Lagarie was operated by the Sailors' Society, a charity that provided support for families of seafarers requiring assistance with their children. Angela's father, Donald, was a merchant seaman often away at sea. Her mother had died in an accident, leaving Donald to care for their six children.
Upon arrival, Angela was captivated by the home's idyllic setting, including its tower which she dreamed of climbing to watch her father's ship return.
Initially, Angela and her siblings were happy in their new environment, looking forward to visits from their father despite missing him deeply.
Arrival of the Barries and Onset of Abuse
This changed with the arrival of Reverend William Barrie and his wife Mary in late 1972, who became the home's new superintendents. Barrie, formerly a minister of the Congregational Church, lived in a cottage on the grounds approximately 100 feet from the main house.
The abuse suffered by Angela and others was first publicly revealed in the 2018 BBC Disclosure documentary Suffer the Children. Angela recounted how Barrie sexually abused her hundreds of times starting when she was 10 years old.
"I remember one night he'd woken me up, took my hand and led me into the laundry room. He unzipped his trousers, shoved me onto my knees."
Former residents and staff also reported that Mary Barrie was cruel and physically abusive. She would punish and humiliate children, particularly those who suffered from bed-wetting, a common symptom of childhood anxiety.
"The level of cruelty we were subjected to on a daily basis went way beyond the boundaries,"Angela stated.
Life After Lagarie and Ongoing Struggles
Angela left Lagarie at age 16, running away to London where she spent time in homeless accommodations. Although she escaped physically, she has spent the subsequent five decades confronting the psychological trauma inflicted during her childhood.
"They ruined our childhood,"she said.
Angela has battled post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for many years and is now addressing her past through her book, The Weight of Silence. She began writing it about 20 years ago, initially as a therapeutic exercise rather than for publication.
She would write late at night after her two young daughters were asleep, using the process to process her emotions.
"There was a lot of crying, a lot of self reflection, things had built up so much because I was holding on to it."
Angela credits the book with aiding her healing journey.
"Since I handed that book over I haven't had nightmares about it, whereas before I had constant flashbacks. I felt a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulder. It was like 'that's it, I can actually breathe'."
Mary's Experience and Family Support
Angela's older sister Mary, aged 64, also endured serious abuse at Lagarie and attempted to alert authorities during her childhood. She continues to struggle with trust issues as a result.
"Children should be children and that was something that was taken away from a very young age."
Mary expresses pride in Angela for sharing their story.
Investigations and Accountability
Police investigations conducted in 2001 and 2016 did not lead to any charges. William Barrie passed away in 1993, and Mary Barrie died in 2017.
Journalist Mark Daly led the BBC's 2018 investigation into the Lagarie home.
"It makes me feel angry, there should be more accountability. The only person that reached out to me was Mark Daly."
Angela agrees that the BBC programme was pivotal in bringing attention to their experiences.
"It was an eye-opener for most of us, people are listening to us, believing."
Hope for the Future
Angela hopes her book will encourage others who have experienced childhood abuse to speak out.
"Talk to people, you will be believed nowadays. There are a lot more opportunities for people to be supported,"she said.
