Home Page (Last updated: January the 27nd, 2012)
... to a website dedicated
to recording the memories of those who were born,
arrived, lived, worked or died in Walthamstow, formerly an Urban District,
then a Municipal Borough in Essex,
now part of the London Borough of Waltham Forest.
The site stores people's memories but also acts as a bulletin-board service listing the numerous emails we receive - seeking help with everything from family research to "Do your remember . . . ?"
We list received emails with an email link to the sender. We will try to answer any queries, if we can, but in most instances we simply do not know the answers to the questions we receive - but... you never know who might!
Scroll down for more info on how this website works and what it contains. For beginners my tip is to view some of the Personal Stories first, then trawl through some emails in our "Postbag" collection.
Yes, all human existence is here - provided its roots lie in Walthamstow - lost but not forgotten!
Send your emails to either the site originator, John
Knowles at email or to our
co-editor, Daniel Quinn email.
Daniel is providing a greater range of information and
better feedback for all of us who contribute and use
the site. We look forward to his growing contribution
to the work here. If anybody else would like to join us
then please get in touch - there is always plenty to
do!
First time?
For those visiting this site for the first time, you
might start browsing in the personal recollections by
many past residents of this old County Borough - part
of Essex as it then was. See the
"Memories" menu at the top
of this page.
Why are we doing this? Read our aims in here ... |
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Please feel free to email any material on Walthamstow -
we will always try to feature it.
We are particularly interested in photographs and
copies of documents that relate to the history of
Walthamstow and the neighbouring London suburbs of
Leyton, Chingford, Woodford, Highams Park and Loughton.
All material should be emailed to either John
or Daniel
The pictures here are taken from the stories of those
whose parents lived and worked in Walthamstow.
What's New?
27 Jan 2012 - From Daniel:
HM the Queen to start Diamond Jubilee tour with visit to Walthamstow! Read of this on "The Guardian"
Also in The Guardian: "Campaigners form residents' association to fight Stow plans"
23 Jan 2012 - From Daniel:
A new personal story is in: "Flossie's Story", kindly sent in by her grandaughter Claire: it mentiones places & people from Walthamstow in early 1900 - she lived in the Albion/Parkston Area. You'll find it in the "Personal Stories" Section or by clicking [here].
I should also mention that I received Dennis Penfold's latest book "Born to Struggle"... and I just had to read it end-to-end in one go! How fascinating! (see the "Literature Section" on how to get it..
08 Jan 2012 - From Daniel:
You may have noticed a slight change in the heading and the top menu of the site: I thought I'd give a little 're-styling' on occasion of the year that just started. I hope you like it this way. Furthermore, I've added a index to months in the 2011 Postbag, and a 'go to top of page' button at each month. I will in due time adopt the same system to other postbags. Of course I'm always open to comments...
03 Jan 2012 - From Daniel:
Bill Bayliss has sent in an fascinating article on "WWI, Walthamstow & Airships" it's in the Personal Stories section. Thanks, Bill!
02 Jan 2012 - From Daniel:
We just received a generous donation for our 2011 Vestry House Museum Appeal from our visitor Edward Emery. Many, many thanks, Edward!
If you'd like to visit the VHM Appeal page, [click here]
01 Jan 2012 - From Daniel & John:
Dear Friends & Visitors,
John and I would like to wish you and your families a most enjoyful new year, rich of all the things you desire!
Thank you for visiting our site and supporting us in keeping it alive.
For old "What's New" messages [Click Here]
The "Walthamstow Past & Present" Project
Our friend Dave Hughes, is working on a very laudable project, called "Walthamstow: Past & Present". One of the sections of this project is to include all the live performers that have ever played in Walthamstow. Although he has nearly 5,000 listed so far, he needs help with the following: 1) live acts and the dates they played from The Lord Brooke in Shernhall Street, particularly The Navvy Boot Folk Club, 2) live acts and dates from The Swan in Wood Street, 3) The Chestnut Tree in Lea Bridge Road, particuliarly the folk club in the late 1970's/early 1980's, and lastly, 4) live acts and dates at The Standard 1985 and before.
Any information, however small would be appreciated. Thank you.
Read more on this big project, that includes Trades, Streets, etc.. [here].
Latest e-mails received
(for full list of the current year see Postbag 2012)
27 Jan 2012 - Lost & Found:
Does anyone have memories of or information on the Rev. Henry John Stone, who was vicar of St Michael and All Angels church, Walthamstow, until his death in 1962? His American great-niece is visiting Walthamstow in Summer 2012 and she would like to know more about him and his church work in our area. Many thanks,
Mark CARROLL
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25 Jan 2012 - Local History:
Hello Daniel. In reply to Len Hall and Bill Bayliss' memories of the old Saturday Morning Cinema days, I well remember going to the Dominion with several other local boys to see the westerns and perhaps something like Flash Gordon. I think the westerns were sometimes pretty old even then (mid '50s) as Tom Mix often starred in them, and we would have preferred Roy Rogers or Hopalong Cassidy! Like Len, I also remember the side doors occasionally opening and flooding the darkened cinema with light, thus giving away the attempts to let in would-be freeloaders. At the end of the morning's show, and when we had watched the 7th Cavalry drive off the marauding Indians once again, we would leave the Cinema and make our way to the nearby bakers to get some rolls, either yesterday's at a halfpenny each, or some nice warm new ones at one penny. (No butter or anything, of course). We would then go around the corner into St. James Street and wait for the trolleybus to come along from Markhouse Rd. on it's way to the Billet.
If we were lucky, the next entertainment would be if the bus, when negotiating the tight s-bend at the bottom of the High St., would have it's overhead power arms come off the wires and so come to a halt. This was not an unusual occurence at this busy spot, and would mean the conductor would have to go round to the back of the bus, withdraw the long pole housed underneath and, to cheeky cries of encouragement from the passengers (us) attempt to replace the trolleybuses' power arm/arms onto the live wires above. I quite liked the old six-wheeler trolleys, they could take off with a surprising burst of acceleration, for such a large vehicle. Having mentioned the High Street, does anyone remember the Rossi's cafe at the bottom end of the market having a sign over the counter stating 'Only the best margarine is used in our buttered buns' It's true!! Happy Days.
Regards,
Jim PALING
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24 Jan 2012 - 'Local History': 59 Melville Road
First of all, I would like to publicly thank Bill Bayliss for his valuable help in my research.
Following my fist email, some interesting details have emerged from official records about the previous occupants of my house. However, the information available is limited. Probably the best way to go now is to find the descendants of people who lived at the property. I am particularly interested in contacting any relatives of Eric Stanley Morris (at this address from 1906 to circa 1919) and Mabel L. Bunting (from 1932 to 1957). If any of them see this message, please get in touch.
Many thanks
Fernan GONZALEZ-TORRES
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23 Jan 2012 - 'Family History' - Dowling/Barnaby:
Hi Daniel, have just come across your website, really fantastic. I grew up at 145 Barclay Road, and went to Warwick Secondary School for girls, being born in 1951 and was known then as Susan Doerffer... would dearly love to be in touch with girls that went to that school when I was there... in particular would like to hear from my friend Rosemarie Titterton. Hope you will be able to add this message to all the others......Thank you so much...people can get in touch with me with my email address.
Susan DUNNE
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23 Jan 2012 - Public Reply to Len AARONS (10 Jan 2012):
Hello Len, This was the 'Be Bop A Lula' tour as below:
Gene Vincent tour 10th January 1960 at the Granada Walthamstow
I met Wee Willie Harris in the late 1950's when he was resident at the 2i'S Coffee Bar. He was a great self publicist and seemed to turn up in all the skiffle and jazz clubs in the West End. At the beginning of the tour Lance Fortune was an aspiring pop star who had been 'discovered' by Larry Parnes in the 2is. (There's a common theme starting to emerge here). Later that year he had a pop hit with 'Be Mine' and released a number of other records that didn't sell so well.
Al Saxon was one of the resident singers in the TV pub variety show 'Stars & Garters', hosted by Ray Martine. (Other resident singers were: Vince Hill, Kathy Kirby, Tommy Bruce, Clinton Ford & Julie Rayne) He had chart success with 'The Days That The Rains Came' and 'There I've Said It Again'. I think that he went on to have his own band.
Keith Kelly (Who looked a bit like Buddy Holly) is another singer who was spotted (By George Martin) at the 2i's. He had a song 'Tease Me' that reached the lower end of the music charts.
Bachelors. I've no idea who these were. The famous Irish singers Con & Dec Clusky (Who formed the famous Bachelors group in 1962) were touring Ireland in 1960.
Tony Crombie & The Rockets. Tony Crombie was a jazz musician . He formed a rock and roll band called 'The Rockets' in 1956 which was modelled on Bill Haley & The Comets. In 1956 he had a big chart success with 'Teach You To Rock'. Later he toured with famous artists that included Lena Horne & Tony Bennett.
I couldn't possibly finish without saying that it was only a few months later that Gene Vincent was injured in a car crash. With him was one of the greatest rock and roll artists of all time - Eddy Cochrane - who received brain injuries from which he died.
Respects
Bill BAYLISS
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22 Jan 2012 - 'Family History' - Dowling/Barnaby:
Hi, I am trying to trace my mothers parents. My mother was adopted at an early age and all she has is a birth certificate and she was told her father was dying of TB when she was born. On her birth certificate, her father is Richard Henry Dowling, Motor Driver of 86 Pretoria Road, Leyton. The year is 1935. Her mother is Dorothy Dowling formerly Barnaby. The couple also had a son, Peter, in 1933. My mum's name is Marjorie. I cannot find their marriage or his death. I wondered if anyone remembers a motor driver of Pretoria Road in the 1930's. Thanks
Jenny SIMON
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22 Jan 2012 - 'Personal Memories - Flossie Morriss':
Hi Daniel, Thank you for replying!
This is my nan's story, I spent many weeks with her when I was young, and heard many stories of the London bombings, air-raids and billeted soldiers. Somewhere within my family there exists a painting entitled "Ye Olde Corner Shoppe in Walthamstow". I remember my grandparents as kind. In particular, I remember my grandmother telling me that I never, ever had anything to fear, unless I had done something wrong. To this day I consider this the most wise piece of advice and intend to follow it to the grave.
What she never mentioned in her autobiography, which of course she could not because her death preceded the event, was the obliteration by bushfire in 2009 of the beautiful hand-crafted log cabin built by herself and Richard (Dick) Morriss when I was a child in Narbethong, Victoria, Australia. I was there, at age three, the day they laid the concrete slate, forty odd years ago.
I would love to hear from anybody who recognises someone in "Florrie's Story". In particular, I am trying to work out where 'Morriss' - with the double 'ss' diverts from or relates to any other Morris - people. I am looking for lost family.
I married into the name 'Magnifico'. My understanding is that it originates from "Magnafico" which probably means "Eat Figs", and may have been erroneously or humourously translated to the former by someone with poor translational skills or a good sense of humour.
Kind regards and looking forwward to a genuine reply,
Claire MAGNIFICO
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From Daniel: You can read 'Florrie's Story' in the 'Personal Stories' section or clicking [here]
22 Jan 2012 - 'Personal Memories - Flossie Morriss':
Hello Daniel and John, My name is Claire Magnifico (nee Morriss) and I live in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. I am a granddaughter of Dick Morriss (brother of Marjorie) and Florence Marter. My grandmother, Florrie Marter, moved into 18 Parkstone Road, Walthamstow in 1910 when she was one year old with her parents William and Ellen (nee Cobb) and two older sisters Nell (5) and Nancy (3).I recently came into possession of a copy of my grandmother's journal which she wrote in about 1989 detailing her life as a child in Parkstone Road, Walthamstow. It is quite detailed and talks about a lady, Ethel, who would come and collect things to take to the pawn shop, the organ-man, the coal-man and his draught horse, and a knife grinder man. William Marter was injured in France in 1915 and my grandmother wrote that she remembered visiting him in Middlesex Hospital in London and handing out packets of Woodbine cigarettes to the wounded in other beds and receiving kisses!
She mentions Hollow Pond, Wood Street Baptist Chapel, a neighbour Mrs Tilling, seeing the first German Zeppelin in flames and Epping forest. Also an Uncle Jim a soldier who would come to stay when on leave from Burma or India. I thought after finding your site I would contact you in case any of your members recognise any of these names and are interested in having the full copy of the journal, which I would be happy to forward. Kind regards,
Claire MAGNIFICO
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21 Jan 2012 - Public Reply to Fernan GONZALEZ-TORRES (18 Jan 2012):
As you know, I have sent you information about the occupancy of the 59, Meville Road in 1911 and 1901. I would also advise you that according to AD Law's 'The Streets of Waltham Forest'- Melville Road was first occupied in 1884 and the road was made up in 1894. It is named after Viscount Melville. Respects,
Bill BAYLISS
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20 Jan 2012 - Public reply to Bill Bayliss: Saturday Morning Pictures:
I enjoyed Bill's latest article in the memories section about the Saturday Morning cinemas.
I was a regular at the Dominion in Buxton road and there were two things that Bill did not mention in his excellent (as always) article.
One was the huge theatre organs that would precede the cinema productions at the Grenada and the Dominion. They were splendid looking instruments that would rise up out of the bowels of the stage somehow and then the music would commence.
Another feature that I shall always remember was the thousands of concaved depressions in the outer wall of the Dominion, where over many years we had queued up waiting for the doors to open.
What we would do is to get a coin, the bigger the better, and place it against the wall and rotate it backwards and forwards. The harder one pressed the more the brick dust fell down and so the depression was started and no doubt continued by the next person who stood and waited.
Another thing that occurred to me and that is... what our parents got up to whilst they had a few spare hours on a Saturday morning. Such joy to get rid of the kids for a few hours and all it cost was sixpence each!
Len HALL
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19 Jan 2012 - Public reply to Bill Bayliss: Saturday Morning Pictures:
Many thanks for cinema memories! My best memory is the Granada password which we shouted ADANARG !!
Alec SMITH
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19 Jan 2012 - 'Walthamstow: Past & Present':
I would like to say thank you to Jean Robinson for the information that she recently sent me on the shops that existed in Wood Street in the late 1950's/early 1960's. I have now added them to my latest project, 'Walthamstow: Past & Present'. Copies of this project are free in January 2012 to anyone who requests a copy. From the 1st February there will be a small charge of £3.00 to cover costs and postage. For more information about this project please email me.
Dave HUGHES
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19 Jan 2012 - Public Reply to Margaret SMITH (3 Jan 2012):
Dear Daniel & John, I am representing the new e-magazine created by 4 pasionate journalists "Milling Around". We are a part of the new charity called "The Mill" located at Coppermill Lane (former Walthamstow library). We decided to collect all possible archives, memories, stories regarding Walthamstow and publish them online. I'm in touch with the Vestry House Museum and a few other organisations as well as a few bloggers. I have just found your fantastic website and I decided to get in touch with you. I was wondering whether I could get your permission to use some of your website content, of course, crediting every piece to you and linking your website to ours? It would also be interesting to meet you for an interview and talk to you about your project. Please let me know what do you think. Best regards
Filip CUPRYCH
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19 Jan 2012 - Public Reply to Margaret SMITH (3 Jan 2012):
I have sent you a private reply with my rub-out of your Wager paternal family tree. I'm pretty sure that that Alexandra Street was in fact Alexandra Road and was one of the roads off Boundary Road near St Saviour's Church in Markhouse Road.. My logic for this is that on the 1901 Census your Wager family are listed as being in Alexandra Road and the entry above shows an address in Sylvester Road.
If you use Google maps you will see that there is now an Alexandra Avenue with a Sylvester Road at right angles to it on an estate that was built in the 80's.
Respects,
Bill BAYLISS
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19 Jan 2012 - General:
Just a very quick message to say how delighted I am to have come across your site. I was born in Thorpe Coombe Hospital in 1963 and spent the first few years of my life living on the corner of Markhouse Road and Camden Road in flats that are still there (Now it's Ashford Close). I've not been anywhere near London for many years but your site is a joy to look through and gives me some good sense of my Walthamstow roots from up in north Lancashire. I'm looking forward to some long hours of browsing your pages.
Colin BARNES
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19 Jan 2012 - Family History:
Hi, I am tracing my family tree I was wondering if anybody new anything about my great nan Doris May Newman and grandad John English, they were the first couple to have triplets in Waltham Forest on 17.11.1932. The triplets are called Beryl, Maureen, Royston, they also had Victor and Gordan. I believe they lived on Barcley Rd and Newbank road and Wood st way, if you have any info please email me many thanks
Emma MAHON
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18 Jan 2012 - Local History:
Hi Daniel, I am trying to research the history of the house at 59 Melville Road, where I live at the moment. Any information and pictures will be greatly appreciated.
Kind regards
Fernan GONZALEZ-TORRES
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14 Jan 2012 - Topography:
Hello Daniel, I am trying to locate where my great grandparent lived: I think the address was 14 Alexandra Street Walthamstow.
Does it still exist ? The family name is Wager. Thank you
Margaret SMITH
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14 Jan 2012 - Local History: Saturday Morning Pictures:
Daniel,
While the campaign to re-open the EMD Cinema in Hoe Street (That I remember as the Granada) drags on, little attention is paid to the fact that Walthamstow once had many cinemas and that a big part of people's memories of Walthamstow cinemas are about their attendance at Saturday morning pictures. So.. I have written a short piece that I hope will jog the memories of those who remember the Walthamstow of their youth. [read it here]
Respect,
Bill BAYLISS
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14 Jan 2012 - Lost & Found :
Daniel,
Many thanks! I have in the last week received a reply from somebody who knows Derek and he put us in touch. It has been wonderful to talk about our youth in the 1960's and we will be meeting up as soon as we can. A million thanks for the site and the help it afforded me in finding my old work mate.
John SERGEANT
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10 Jan 2012 - Public reply to Bernard PRICE (06 Jul 2011):
Hello Daniel,
I just found Wathamstow Memories website..It's great! Anyway, I'm a Walthamstow born lad, Thorpe Coombe - 1945 and remember going to the Granada cinema in the 1950's.
The one live act I saw there around 1958 or 1959, if memory serves me well, was Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps (I thought it was Blue Jeans until I just Googled him). My pals and I were big fans of his then and our parents finally bought the tickets for us to see him, after much badgering I must say.
The place was filled to capacity and the atmosphere was electric as we waited for the show to start. I don't remember if there were other acts beforehand but when Gene was about to come on, there was an announcement over the speakers to say that Gene Vincent was unable to perform due to illness. The whole place erupted in groans and general disappointment noises, when all of a sudden we heard "Be-Pop-A-Lula" being sung slowly with no one on stage. Gene was singing off-stage and the crowd went nuts as he limped on stage singing his trademark song. It was fantastic! He actually brought the place down, what a great show.
That was my first ever live concert and I have never forgotten it, what a thrill! So thanks for jogging my memory about the Granada Walthamstow.
Len AARONS
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10 Jan 2012 - 1st time writer :
I would like this to be added to you interesting website.
I was born at Thorp Coombe hospital 22 April 1950. Both my parents,
grandparent and great grandparents are from Walthamstow on both sides of my
family.
During and after the war my dad's parents and my parents lived on Diana
Rd numbers (14 and 39) and then 9 months later we moved to Mansel Grove. My
older sister and I attended Chapel End and, according to my grandmother, she
was one of the first students to attend the opening. My great grandmother
lived on Nettle Rd. Both my parents when to George Monoux school and my dad
Fredrick Thompson was a schoolboy champion swimmer. My mother's maiden name
was Wilson and she was one of 14 (not a typo!) kids who lived in
Walthamstow.
At age 8 we moved to Chingford but my grandparents, Mary and Fred
Thompson continued to live on Diana Rd until she died age 82. I would stay
with here often and usually would buy her beer from the off license on the
corner of Diana and Forest Rd or sweets from across the road at the sweet
shop on Forest Rd. Which leads me to and interesting story.
I was in my 20's when as usual I stopped at the sweet shop on my way to
visited Nan (grandmother) on Sunday afternoon when I noticed that it had
hardly any sweets or newspapers for sale and instead it had handmade pottery
on the shelves. The proprietor, Miss Elizabeth Elton and I got to chatting
as I was also interested in pottery having gone to Loughton College in the
60's to learn to be a graphic designer. She seemed very old at the time with
lots of gray hair's, probably in her 50's. After a while she invited me to
her living area above the shop and we literally talked all night. She wanted
to live her dream to become a pottery and if that meant living on cabbage
and potatoes so be it. She was friends with other quite famous potters and
several articles were written about her during that time. Alas I have not
more information about her. I would love to know more about her as she was
an inspiring women.
I moved to California in 1978 where I live today.
I have so many stories. Many war time ones from my 100 year old aunt who is
still as sharp as a tack. Emails are welcome.
Sincerely,
Jacqueline THOMPSON
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08 Jan 2012 - War over Walthamstow :
Hi Daniel and WM friends,
As you are aware my wife and I live in Perth in Western Australia. This week I had a call from one of my grandsons named James Hall aged 10 who lives in Hassocks which is in West Sussex.
He told me that he has a school assignment this week and the task is to ask your grandparents for their wartime experiences. I wonder how many of our members have been asked for something like that. And so I have written down here what my wife and I sent to him yesterday.
I must say that I have heard my wife's story many times but it was only when I put it into writing that I realized just how close our 'Hall dynasty' came to being non existent.
-------------------> [ Read Len's article here, on the 'Personal Stories' section]
Len HALL
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08 Jan 2012 - Lost & Found :
I am looking for any information on my relatives 'Hilliar' who lived in Brookdale road. Can anyone help please?
Jane HALLIDAY
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08 Jan 2012 - Public Reply to Gerry Creasey (03 Jan 2012):
I am in two of these photographs, one in primary and the other in secondary. My name is Pete Perry, and I used to draw a comic called 'Komic Kapers Weekly' (known by everyone as 'The KK') every Tuesday since I was 11 years old.
There are copies of it on our website: http://www.widgeripoo.net
Go into the link and then on to 'Archives' or go to straight to: http://www.widgeripoo.net/home/archive_part_one
Pete PERRY
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05 Jan 2012 - Public Reply to Grant Edwards (03 Jan 2012):
Hello Daniel,
I can only concur with my old school colleague Grant Edwards regarding the borough status of Walthamstow. I was born in Walthamstow just before the war and as thus I am an Essex man. To be born today you will be a Londoner. From 1894 until 1926 Walthamstow was an Urban District, when it became a Municipal Borough. This is how Wikipendia describes Walthamstow though, as we all know, the Royal Charter was not received by Sir Courteney Warner until the 10th October 1929. The London Borough of Waltham Forest came into being in 1965 with the demise of the old London County Council and the formation of the 32 London boroughs which in the east took in parts of Essex.
The expansion and formation of London and its various boroughs, Urban, Municipal and Metropolitan, is rather complex, but can be followed by using search engines on the subject.
Apart from the error of calling Walthamstow a County Borough there is sometimes confusion as to the boundaries of Walthamstow. Some people believe that Walthamstow consists only of the E.17 post code. Not so! The Post Office had its own agenda, when deciding on its post code boundaries...
Though most of Walthamstow is in the post code of E.17 there is a part of Leyton that has this post code and, on the east side, there is part of the E.4 district that is in Walthamstow. The boundary with Leyton is indeed Boundary Road continuing along that line and only includes the part of Lea Bridge Road from Grove Road to Wood Street. My family's old home, near to the Walthamstow Stadium, had a South Chingford E.4 post code but was in fact within the boundary of Walthamstow. The E.4. district boundary with E.17 was along Wadham Road and Walthamstow Avenue, which became the North Circular Road. So from that boundary and up to Highams Station Avenue was part of Walthamstow as is Highams Park and Hale End both with the E.4. post code. A good reference map of Walthamstow can be found in the book War Over Walthamstow by Ross Wyld and I believe the same map was used by Brian Evans in his book Bygone Walthamstow.
Kind regards,
Rodney SILK
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05 Jan 2012 - General:
Tote Bag received today, many thanks, and for the enclosures. Just for the record, I have always had a special interest in the Borough, I was born in Gosport Road at the junction of Ringwood Road in Dec., 1932. Spent most of my growing up years in Brettenham Road. Was educated at Chapel End School, commencing at 4years old and leaving when 14 years old. Was married in the Methodist Church (sadly no longer there) in Penrhyn Crescent. Left the Borough round about 1959 for the Southend area and moved to the East Midlands with the Company I worked for in 1973. Have so many happy memories of Walthamstow. I wish you all well.
Ted EMERY
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05 Jan 2012 - Walthamstow at War:
I have just been reading Bill's account of airships during the war, and what a stirring story it was, however it also has a very sad side that was not mentioned: we always think about wars from a very one sided viewpoint, but there are two sides to every story.
I was born in 1937 and I grew up with a father who hated Germans, and he also considered Winston Churchill to be a war monger what ever that meant. And so I have to admit that I reached maturity almost wearing 'blinkers' and hearing my dear old dad's strong beliefs forced upon me.
However, the other side of the story I hinted at was the families of those guys who were burnt to death in the airship: were their sons there voluntarily or just forced to fight because they were able to do so. My eyes were opened up recently when I read a book called 'The Book Thief' written by Markus Zuzak, who resides in Sydney. The book is a New York best seller and well worth reading. The story is narrated by 'Death' himself which makes the story very interesting.
If you are aware of 'the Anne Frank Diaries', then you will have some idea about what 'the book thief' is about. Yes it is a story about Germans who lived in Nazi Germany and saved Jewish people and, in this case, by hiding one such Jew for years in their cellar. The girl who is actually the book thief grows up stealing a few books and that is where the title comes from.
Please try and get a copy of this book, which is available on Amazon (or in my case in the library) and read about the other side to the story. And remember that there is never anything glorious about a war, just lots of death and suffering for both sides.
Also, I have come across an article about rationing during the last war. Rationing commenced in Britain in 1940, not long after the onset of world war two, with petrol being the first item rationed. However, no one was allowed to buy petrol anyway without a special permit and that petrol was coloured to make it difficult to purchase on the black market. Nearly everything became rationed, most foodstuffs, clothing etc. Bread was not rationed until after the end of the war, but people used to get what was called 'austerity bread', which used the entire ear of wheat and was almost black and was quite indigestible. Even after the war, rationing continued in Britain. It was not until July 1948 that flour came off rationing. Then each year after that, rationing was stopped on various commodities, such as soap (never worried the poms LOL) clothes, sweets, and sugar, and then tea, with the last of the food rationing ending in July 1954.
Len HALL
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04 Jan 2012 - Local History:
Hello Daniel,
My thanks to Rodney Silk for at last solving the riddle of where, locally, was the Lamb's car showroom mentioned in previous postings. My interest in this is that the company seems to have had some very expensive cars on offer just pre-war. The Cord has already been seen. The attached photo, taken at the same date, shows that Lamb's also had at least two Rolls Royce cars on offer at this time. The Rolls Royce Enthusiasts Club have identified the cars as both being 1937-ish Phantom IIIs, making them the most expensive model then produced (one of them survives to this day in Switzerland, the other is 'fate unknown'). I believe the third car visible is a Packard. These are the sort of cars one might expect to find in a top London dealership or showroom, but not, perhaps, so close to home.
Lamb's car showroom - Rolls Royces
(Click to enlarge)
Thanks also to Rodney for the nice picture of his Uncle's Buick, which would be an 8 cylinder car as Buick stopped making 6s in about 1931/32, producing only eight cylinder cars for the following 30 years. The car is almost certainly a 'McLaughlin' Buick, meaning that it was produced at the company's plant in Canada, and in right-hand drive form. As a Canadian product, these cars were able to avoid the import duty levied on similar vehicles made at General Motor's Flint, Michigan, Buick factory, when brought into the U.K.
Two fine examples of this make have been in our immediate area for a very long time. A 1939 convertible lives in Chingford, and is still regularly used by it's long term owner, who restored it many years ago from a very poor condition, and a 1937 sedan lived in the Higham Hill area of Walthamstow for about 40 years until 4 years ago, when the couple who have owned it all that time, moved to Australia, and took the old car with them. It seems Buick cars inspire long-term ownership!
Jim PALING
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04 Jan 2012 - History Project:
Hello, my name is David Hughes and I have recently undertaken a project about Walthamstow called, 'Walthamstow: Past & Present'. This project will be in Word and Excel formats and will be in several files, listing businesses that have ever existed in Walthamstow, names of roads and streets from the past to the present day and bands/performers that have ever appeared at a Walthamstow venue. So far i have 46 live music venues listed, along with a listing of who played there and when, 1,954 businesses, 696 roads and 4,837 performers who have performed live in the borough. Obviously this project is well in its infancy and lots of work will need to be done. All and any help would be very welcome.
During January 2012, if anyone living in the UK would like a free copy of the project to date, please email me your address and I will forward you a copy. From the 1st February there will be a small fee, including p&p. Thank you, Regards
Dave HUGHES
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03 Jan 2012 - Public reply to Derek Polligton (10 May 2011):
Hi Derek, I too was a student at Mission Grove School in the fifties. I was born in 1947 in Thorpe Combe hospital in ForestRd. I remember my first day at school quite clearly. Miss Franklin was the teacher, and I remember a David King who had the job of looking after me, the new girl. I was head girl for one term, although I don't think Miss Witherwick approved! I also had Miss Pope, I think she was in the infants, although I'm not sure. Miss Ralph was my favourite, she later married and became Mrs. Pettit. We lived in Selborne Rd opposite the railway line. We used to ride on the train between Hoe St. and St. James St. and wave out of the window to our friends.
Saturday morning was spent at the Granada, and then down the High St. for a bag of chips and a sarsprilla, cold in the summer, hot in winter.
We moved away when I was 12 but those childhood memories stick.
Susan WHITE(nee NEWITT)
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03 Jan 2012 - General:
Hi Daniel
Just a note to thank you and your editorial staff for this splendid publication. You do a grand job, bringing back so many memories for us "oldies" who have begun to forget just what it was to grow up in Walthamstow (Highams Park in my case) during and shortly after the war.
Only those even older than I am will remember the trams running through the borough (until as late as 1940 on one route, I believe), but one of my Christmas presents this year was a copy of "Walthamstow and Leyton Tramways" by Robert Harley from the Middleton Press (ISBN 1 873793 65 0), which I can thoroughly recommend to readers. It was published back in 1995 and is full of fascinating photos, in which not only the trams but also the street scenes make interesting viewing, especially under a magnifying glass, as they show so much detail. Whether new copies of the book are still available, I don't know, but I dare say Amazon will help to locate good second-hand ones if not.
Do you mind if I mention one inaccuracy on the home page? At a risk of nit-picking I think I ought to point out that Walthamstow was never a county borough, even though after the second world war I remember there was talk of it applying to become one. There were only ever three county boroughs in Essex. West Ham was created one in 1889, Southend-on-Sea in 1914, and East Ham in 1915 (against the wishes of Essex County Council). This can be verified by looking at the Wikipedia entry for Essex or googling "Essex county boroughs".
I think it was in 1974 that the title of county borough was discontinued when the local government reorganization took place.
Incidentally, I was interested to find the christening of one of my former classmates from Selwyn Avenue Junior School on the list of marriages, baptisms and funerals taken from the St Gabriel's parish magazine. I assume his family must have moved out to Highams Park by the mid-1940s.
All the best. Keep up the good work! Sincerely,
Grant EDWARDS
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From Daniel: Your thanks should go to all our visitors, some very keen and helpful, who provide me with their stories and pictures: without them, I would be without anything to show!
I'm glad you spotted the "borough" subject: sure it will raise some feedback by our 'historian' visitors: so I will let a few days go by, to see reactions...
03 Jan 2012 - Lost & Found:
Hi, My name is Gerald (Gerry) Creasey - these photos are from 1946 to 1951 in no particular order. They are all from Chapel End Secondary Modern except for the one from 1946 which was from Chapel End Primary. I have been in contact with a few of the faces, but if anyone recognise themselves would like to hear from them. These photo's cover the A_B_C & D stream of my year. I was in the B stream and I still remember the names of at least 80% of the class mates.
(I'm the 2nd on top row from left)
(I'm the 4th on top row from right)
Gerry CREASEY
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03 Jan 2012 - Lost & Found:
Thank you for producing this great site, so interesting for ex-E17ers. I am trying to locate a long lost childhood friend Barry(ie) Reader. We lived next door to each other from 1937-1940-ish. He lived at 80 Beulah Rd. I at 78 Beulah Rd. We attended Maynard Rd Primary School together. From there he went to Joseph Barrett from about 1948-1953. This is when we lost touch. I'd love to hear from anyone who knew or knows any thing about Barry.
Malcom BECK
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02 Jan 2012 - Public reply to Jim PALING:
Hello Daniel,
It was interesting to see the photos of the large American built limousines parked outside the Monoux Almshouses near to St. Mary's Church posted by Jim Paling. My uncle owned such a limousine in the 1950s which was purchased by him privately and used as a family car. This was a Buick 6 cylinder and looks to be a 1939 Special. The photo attached shows the car with two of my uncle's daughters and friends enjoying a day out in it.
(Click on images to enlarge)
I asked my uncle is he knew of a local car hire firm that used American limousines, perhaps just after the war, but unfortunately he did not. He indicated that the cars were relatively cheap to buy but were expensive to run due to their large engines so they were out of reach for most people. I remember a car hire firm situated at the top of Orford Road, just after the bend near Summit Road. I cannot remember its name but I never saw any American limousines parked there. The registration DYE 1 does not give much clue to ownership as a cousin of mine, a vintage car restorer, says that old registration records were destroyed. However, his book on registrations suggest that that number was issued in Hastings. Jim may be interested to know that my uncle owned two other American cars. A Hudson Terraplane drophead coupe and a 1938 22HP Ford V8-62. This last car was passed onto my father and it was a very comfortable and smooth runner. This American made model was taken up by Fords at Dagenham and, using the same body shell, produced the successful V8 Pilot.
With regard to the Lamb's garage question, the following is an extract from the 1938 London telephone directory.
Lamb's Ltd., Motor Agents
Opp. Hoe Street Station, E17 WALthamstow 2525
245, High Road, Ilford ILFord 0038
Standard House, Southend Road, Woodford Green WANstead 0123
In 1948 The Hoe Street address was dropped and there was an entry for 37, Station Road, Chingford E4 SILverthorn 1042
The Larkswood telephone exchange building was on the corner of Brookscroft Road and Roberts Road. It was opened in January 1934 and later took in the Walthamstow and Silverthorn numbers. The Woodford Green Wanstead exchange remained just after the war but was later absorbed into the Crescent exchange which took in Barkingside and Redbridge. I purchased the first of my Triumph cars from the Lamb's showroom at Woodford Green in 1968 and I attach a copy of part of the invoice which bears the Crescent telephone number. You may think this car, a Triumph 2000 Mk 1 looks cheap, but I had to dig deep to afford it at that time. Though Triumphs no longer exist, as sadly so do all other British makes of cars, I still run a 1973 Triumph Stag with the original engine.
Kind regards,
Rodney SILK
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02 Jan 2012 - Family History:
I was born in Walthamstow.... Thorpe Coombe maternity hospital, in 1946. I lived in Gosport Road until I was almost 11 with my parents Tom and Marion Stow, and had two brothers Brian and Philip.
My photo was in the Guardian newspaper in 1953, as I was the smallest brownie in Walthamstow, having a form of dwarfism. I would dearly love to get a copy of that cutting, my original one got lost with moves etc., I understand you have to go to the archive office yourself to look. However, as I live near Colchester now that is not possible. If there is a chance that anyone has a copy of that newspaper, which I know is a "shot in the dark" I would really love a copy, paying expenses of course. Many thanks
Valerie SIMS (nee STOW)
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01 Jan 2012 - Topography:
Hello there! I know I might be asking an impossible question, but this has been bugging me for years now. I grew up and went to school in Walthamstow. I attended Kelmscott school from 1990 to 1995. At the rear of Kelmscott school you have Longfellow rd which leads to a dead end/ Alexandra rd. I noticed that there was some writing on the road saying
"bus stop". I can only assume that years ago there was no dead end as the housing estate in Alexandra rd is quite recent (mid 70's). By using google earth the writing on the road is no longer there. The question I am asking is: "Do you know which bus route used to pass through this area?". I've tried to use variuos sites but to no avail. Thanks.
Shaffick JHAUREE
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01 Jan 2012 - Good Wishes:
Just to wish you a special New Year mate and hope allis well
WMTS reunions still going strong. Regards
John NEWELL
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Read the emails from the current year in Postbag 2012
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