The St Neots quads are a set of quadruplets who were born in 1935 to Doris Miles, living in Eynesbury, near St Neots, Huntingdonshire, England. A family doctor ensured that special attention was given to their care, and they were the first British quadruplets to survive more than a few days. They were regarded as a sensation by the press, and were sponsored by a baby formula manufacturer; they were frequently called on to be present at events for publicity purposes. As of 2021, they are still living and are the oldest quadruplets in the world.
Birth and after
On 28 November 1935, Doris Miles gave birth to quadruplets. They were the first British quadruplets babies to survive more than a few days. In ante-natal check-ups Mrs Miles had been led to believe she was expecting twins, but later an X-ray indicated triplets.
Dr E H Harrisson, District Nurse Mailing, and Mrs Miles' mother delivered the babies. They were seven weeks premature, and were very underweight. Their toenails and fingernails had not yet formed, and they were unable to maintain body temperature without artificial aid. The fourth baby to be born needed artificial respiration for 50 minutes before he started to breathe independently.
The babies were Ann, weighing , Ernest , Paul , and Michael at . The babies were also unable to suckle properly at first, and were fed from a teaspoon by Mrs Miles' mother.
Newspaper reports soon publicised the birth:
St Neots Quadruplets Babies' Condition "Much Improved": The quadruplets – a girl and three boys – born on Thursday morning at the home of their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Miles, in Ferrars Avenue, Eynesbury, St. Neots, were stated by Dr. Harrisson to be doing exceptionally well and to be very much improved yesterday. Mrs. Miles, too, was very comfortable, and the doctor was satisfied with her condition. A local business man has opened a fund to help Mr. and Mrs. Miles to rear their family, and Mr. A. J. Huckle, chairman of the local urban district council, is to suggest that the council should suitably recognize the event, especially as the quadruplets were born in one of the council houses. The quadruplets were christened at the house yesterday by Canon A. R. South Phillips, rector of Eynesbury.
Initial media attention
The birth attracted worldwide attention. The British press immediately called them "The St Neots quads", and frequent reports of their progress were published in British and overseas newspapers.
The Times newspaper reported: The Eynesbury quadruplets yesterday received the King's Bounty. Mrs. Miles, their mother, in the morning received a letter from Buckingham Palace, stating:- "The Keeper of the King's Privy Purse is commanded by his Majesty to pay the King's Bounty to Mrs. Miles, and, accordingly forwards herewith a cheque for £4."
Yesterday's report of the condition of the infants was quite satisfactory. One of the difficulties that have arisen is the necessity for taking human milk from London to St. Neots twice daily. Dr. Harrisson's daughter, Mrs. Winifred Crossley, who is an experienced pilot, is making arrangements to fly the milk from Hendon, landing on the common near St. Neots. Four nurses from the Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street, London, have been sent to St. Neots to help in their care. All were trained at the hospital and are on the private staff of resident nurses who hold themselves available for emergencies, but in this case the hospital will not charge the parents for their services. One of the hospital's medical consultants also has visited St. Neots and consulted with Dr. Harrisson. An oxygen tent has been placed at the service of the babies by the British Red Cross Society in case of need.
The family
Mrs Miles and her husband Walter lived at 13 Ferrars Avenue, Eynesbury and already had a 2-year-old son, Gordon. Walter Miles was a lorry driver, and Doris Miles was a homemaker. Mr Miles was 28 and worked at Rowlatt Brothers in St Neots; he said "I am no longer Walter Miles, lorry driver: I am the father of the St Neots quads."
Mr Miles said that he went to work as usual that day, but confessed to being a 'little late', and came home at lunchtime to find a huge group of reporters on his doorstep, and by 3 pm he said he had 'still not had a bite'."