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Home Page (Last updated: July the 21th, 2010)
... to a website dedicated to recording the memories of those who
were born, arrived, lived, worked or died in the old Essex County
Borough of Walthamstow, 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!
Try our on-line public chat! 
What's New?
A change in the e-mail reply method - please read:
4 Jul 2010 - From Daniel: Up to now, we have posted your emails along with the sender's email address. This method makes it easy for visitors to write directly to the author of the email, therefore starting a 'private' conversation - which is great! However, some of our visitors wonder why their replies do not appear in our postbag - obviously under the impression that all correspondence goes through our site. This not being the case, John & I decided to introduce a new system, giving a choice: [Private reply] or [Public reply], next to the name of the email's sender. This simple change gives you the opportunity - if you desire so - to post a 'public' reply. The former choice introduces nothing new, the latter just copies your reply to us, so we may then post it. Your comments are most welcome.
Whilst on the subject, let me "take one tiny stone out of my shoe": sparingly, we receive polite complaints about posters not replying to emails sent to them. Now this can occur for many a reason (If the post is fairly old, the email address might not be in use any more or, more generally, not all have the opportunity of reading their emails daily, etc.)
Many years ago, I briefly worked for an internationally known garden architect, whose 'rule' was:
- Telephone calls: immediate reply;
- Telegrams: within one day;
- Letters: within a week
Now to something else: I have added a new page to the "Schooldays" section: the George Monoux School. Not much in there for the moment, but awaiting your contributions...
Also, I've added a few more pics to the "Postcard Gallery".
Latest e-mails received - (for full list see Postbag 2010)
21 Jul 2010 - General: Just had a look at the postcard section... Brilliant like the rest of the site. 2 postcards
in particular are what I have been looking for for years... St Andrews Church Higham Hill. I was beginning to think that
I had dreamt about this church. I lived opposite the old church and remembered it being pulled down.
Do you know of any other info about this church? Thanks.
Andy JUDD [Private Reply]
[Public Reply]
21 Jul 2010 - Topography: I wonder if you could make something clearer to me.
Whilst researching ancestry, I find in the 1881 census two references to members of my family living in Cambridge Rd Walthamstow.
Looking into A/Z of London, I can only find that rd under E11. That rd appears to be very close to a number of borough boundaries.
Would that be the correct one? There don't appear to be any others. Regards.
Michael NEIGHBOUR [Private Reply]
[Public Reply]
21 Jul 2010 - Lost & Found: Anyone who was at William Mc Guffie in the mid to late 50s, I wonder if they knew The Knights, Carol & Charlie, Brian Veasey & Ken Catlin, and does anyone know where they may have ended up.
I've found Mike Denton, (lives in OZ), Joyce White, (lives in West Sussex) & Lesley Nickerson (Aldershot), Alan Ellis (Suffolk).
Great site guys !! regards
Brian WILLIAMS [Private Reply]
[Public Reply]
20 Jul 2010 - Lost & Found: Hi, I put a piece on your board about a Marjorie Bradshaw, who was looking for someone who might be able to tell her about a sister
Connie that she thought her Mother Ethel had had when Marjorie was about 6 to 8 years old, I had spelt her name wrong
and also given her date of birth as 1928, but she was actually born in 1917, could you please put this corrected version on, sorry to have got it wrong before.Thank you,
Patricia [Private Reply]
[Public Reply]
17 Jul 2010 - Warwick Secondary Boys School. Swimming photos from 1956/57:
1st Photo - Left to Right: ? , Brian McGuiness, myself Stuart Craig, Phil Harper, Clive Scott, Bernard Hollingberry?
2nd Photo - I cannot remember all the names but I am in the front row 2nd right
Can anybody remember me? or any of the other swimmers
Stuart CRAIG - [Private Reply]
[Public Reply]
Warwick Secondary Boys School. Swimming photos from 1956/57
Left to Right: ? , Brian McGuiness, myself Stuart Craig, Phil Harper, Clive Scott, Bernard Hollingberry?
Warwick Secondary Boys School. Swimming photos from 1956/57
I am in the front row 2nd right
15 Jul 2010 - For all you Whipps Cross Lido fans - Please see the attachment
Whipps Cross Lido
This is where the muddy Whipps Cross Lido used to be!
Location: Snaresbrook Road, Walthamstow
Description: The Hollow Ponds Bathing Pool was dug out here in 1905 and fed by natural springs at this Southern edge of Epping Forest.
Despite works to progressively line the bathing pond with concrete in the 1920s, the pool remained renowned for its mud!
In 1932 6,000 was spent, in a joint effort by Leyton & Walthamstow borough councils, to further improve conditions for swimming. Four large dressing rooms were provided and a great deal of mud was reportedly removed from the bottom of the pool during the work to level and cleanse the pool. The pool was still described as irregularly oval at this stage, but with a straight 100 yard section for racing.
This very large pool, 300ft by 130ft, was also connected to a unique 63ft diameter and 10ft deep circular diving basin.
The pool was closed for 2 summers in 1970 and 1971, but was reopened after a 29,000 refurbishment. It was reported that the pool suffered from extensive vandalism during 1970-71 and 24-hour security was introduced when the pool was re-opened to combat this problem.
The pool was closed for good in September 1982 and was demolished in 1983.
Difficult to spot now, since it was filled in.
Respects
Bill BAYLISS - [Private Reply]
[Public Reply]
14 Jul 2010 - Hello David, I have just been looking at this same photograph on Facebook and would I be right in saying that
this photo was taken in Gamuel Road and that the end of the road is Longfellow road with the Recreation ground beyond?
I was at this school until around 1948, I think, and I was intrigued to see one comment on facebook stating that in 1949 they were
using Slates and chalk, I really do doubt that but when were you there and what do you think.
Also, I have seen a photo somewhere where a class at that school had tiered desks i.e. higher at the back of the class, does anyone
recall that because I don't.
I always knew the school as Gamuel road but I see now that Thomas Gamuel is used to describe it.
Len HALL, Australia - [Private Reply]
[Public Reply]
13 Jul 2010 - Hi Daniel, here are a couple of photos, would they go in the postbag or gallery or both? There is a photo of Gamuel school just before it
went and a couple of early class pics. Cheers
Dave TOOTILL - [Private Reply]
[Public Reply]
Thomas Gamuel Primary School, Walthamstow - in 1980
Thomas Gamuel Primary School - class 1951 (me 2nd left bottom row)
Thomas Gamuel Primary School - class 1952 (me far left 3rd row up)
12-Jul-2010 - Lost & Found: : Hi, i am a friend of a Margorie Blyth who was born in Walthamstow in 1928 as Margorie Bradshaw, (or Mason) she has been told that she had a Sister named Connie or Constance that was born when she was a few years old, but who she never got to meet, she has been told this by a friend, but he doesn't know anything else about what happened to this baby, and Margorie is now curious as to what happened as she could still be alive, and would be her only Sister, she would be delighted to find anything out about her before it is too late. Regards,
Patricia [Private Reply] [Public Reply]
11 Jul 2010 - Family History: GOULD - Desperate to find what happened to my Grandmother Elsie Gertrude Gould, born 21/1/1907 in Hackney, but lived in Walthamstow at 25 Warner Road with her mother Amanda and her new husband Frederick Fitch (they married in 1920). Elsie's father, Charles Thomas Gould, died in 1919.
I know Elsie was still in Walthamstow in 1927 (my father David Gould was born in 1926), but unable to find out what happened to Elsie after 1927. My father was brought up by Amanda and Frederick Fitch, so what happened to Elsie is the question. Checked the death records up to the present day no sign of her. Assumed she married. Apparently the electoral records for Walthamstow between 1922-1931 were destroyed in the 2nd World War. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.
Christine GOULD-PAGE - (from chat lounge) [Private Reply] [Public Reply]
11 Jul 2010 - Hi Daniel, Thanks for your reply. I have found about a 100 ranging from about 80 to 86, i cannot find any of the earlier ones but i only really got into
photography as a hobby at the end of the 70s. Some of the colour ones are a bit rough as they were in the early albums and were affected by the pages ( we all found out too late ) but i will scan some and send them on to you. Here are a few to start, if they are OK then many to follow later. cheers Dave
Dave TOOTILL - [Private Reply] [Public Reply]
- From Daniel:
- Dear Dave, I have opened a new page for your pictures in the "Personal Memories" section [here]
11 Jul 2010 - Hello Daniel, as Pam and I will be celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary on August the 27th 2010, I have dug up this little bit of memorabilia from my archives.
I have enlarged it as much as possible but it may not be enough to read it. Maybe you could add the item to my list of memories.
There are a few things wrong with the report that was in the Enfield
newspaper a few years ago. A lot of trains have gone under the bridge at Cheshunt since the first time I pushed my wife Pam over it.
The paper got the number of children wrong because we do have four and now we have nine grandchildren too. Also we are both 72 at present.
(Also the email address shown in the report is incorrect as now it is lcpmhall@bigpond.com)
All of these things must be keeping you busy at the moment and I know you are having a break soon. Goodbye for now
Len & Pam HALL, Australia - [Private Reply] [Public Reply]
(Click on the above picture to enlarge)
- From Daniel:
- Dear Len, my warmest congratulations for your 50th! I'm glad Pam survived from you 'pushing her over the bridge' 50 years ago!! (Sorry, I couldn't help the joke!)
10 Jul 2010 - Memories section: Hi Again, Another photograph of myself on the left, then Roy Hannibal, then Lou, taken near Whipps Cross roundabout with the Lido not far behind us. And Lambs Cafe in front of us just over the roundabout in Lea Bridge road which led to the Bakers Arms...
Michael BUCKMASTER - [Private Reply] [Public Reply]
Michael Buckmaster - Whipps Cross - 1960
9 Jul 2010 - Schooldays: Hi Daniel, another old class photo: hope this one counts as its Selwyn Avenue School in Highams park.
I know several pupils lived in walthamstow at that time. I think this must have been about 1957 - Im second row from bottom 7th one in. Thanks.
Lynne NEWTON - [Private Reply] [Public Reply]
Selwyn Avenue School in Highams park - 1957
9 Jul 2010 - Hello Michael and others because I am now testing Daniel’s newest feature which is the public reply, I feel like a guinea pig doing this.
Anyway you would be a similar age to myself, as I am 73 next month, and I lived in the alleyway at the bottom of Queens road (101 Markhouse road, see memories) until 1960, when we were married. I can’t say I remember you at the time, but perhaps we were ships in the night as the saying goes.
I must say if I saw you now in your ‘Budgie smugglers’ I would remember you, be warned never wear anything like that on a beach in Perth or you would cause a riot.
From what I hear about the weather there at present the Lido would have been a good place to go and cool down. Over here it is winter and so wet this morning I gave my usual 6am bike ride a miss as I hate wet cold weather which is why I live in Perth and not the United Kingdom.
Len HALL, Australia - [Private Reply] [Public Reply]
9 Jul 2010 - Hi Daniel, I dont know if you would remember me writing to you, but I think I was the first one on your postbag in 2001. I have looked at your site again quite a few times and must say it is certainly getting big and very interesting.
I have attached an old photo of myself, more for fun than anything else. It was taken on my front doorstep when I think I was 2 years old. I lived at 51, Pembroke Road, where I was born and
now live in Lowestoft. I am now 65 years old. Keep up the good work. Cheers.
Dave TOOTILL - [Private Reply] [Public Reply]
Dave Tootill - Pembrook Rd- 1947(?)
- From Daniel:
- I think you very well deserve our "1st Walthamstow Memories Fidelity Award" (alas! Only a 'virtual one'..!), for being such an affectionate visitor, Dave!
Looking forward to hearing from you soon. Kindest regards
9 Jul 2010 - Memories section: Hi, I have a photograph of me taken in the Lido in 1959/60 when I was about 21. Fantastic place to meet up at weekends. So SAD it has gone! I would love to meet up with some of my old mates.By the way I lived in Queens Road Walthamstow..
Michael BUCKMASTER - [Private Reply] [Public Reply]
Michael Buckmaster - Lido, Walthamstow 1959/60
5 Jul 2010 - General: Daniel, Thank you. I went into Google and found the website. I would like to make three suggestions:
- on the newsletter, include a live link to the website.
- provide an index of surnames mentioned in the emails.
- capitalize all surnames in emails.
Ed BROECKER - [Private Reply] [Public Reply]
- Daniel's reply:
- Hi, Ed. Many thanks for your good suggestions. I always welcome good advice on how the site can be improved.
The first: a link - perhaps not so explicit - is in the lower part of the newsletter - the 'Why not visit now' bit. I shall follow your tip and make it more evident.
The second I had in fact thought of, but was waiting for feedback on my proposal to create a 'thumbnail-picture gallery' of our visitors, which would also contain the names + email address list. An 'address book' page would be useful if you needed to contact someone you know, but not much more, if the person's messages are not linked to it - and that's slightly difficult to manage. Of course, there is a 'search' box at the top of the home page, which can be used to look-up names...
The third suggestion I shall put into practice now onwards - it certainly helps spotting a surname. Kindest regards
4 Jul 2010 - Len Hall's D-Day: I see Daniel has already directed you to Wikipedia's explanation:
D-Day is a term often used in military parlance to denote the day on which a combat attack or operation is to be initiated. "D-Day" often represents a variable, designating the day upon which some significant event will occur or has occurred; see Military designation of days and hours for similar terms. The initial D in D-Day has had various meanings in the past, while more recently it has obtained the connotation of "Day" itself, thereby creating the phrase "Day-Day", or "Day of Days".[1] On the same principle, the equivalent terms in French, Basque, Romanian and Slovenian are Jour J, E eguna, Ziua-Z, and Dan D.
Dunkirk was in 1940, and no cause for street parties, as it was an ignominious defeat, not a glorious victory - though there are those who confuse it with a triumphant homecoming. I think your Dad was confusing D-Day (June 6th 1944 - the beginning of the Normandy landings) with VE Day (Victory in Europe) in May 1945. VJ Day meant Victory in Japan, but I'm 99% sure there was never a VD Day! I hope that helps.
Pam Stockwell - [Private Reply] [Public Reply]
4 Jul 2010 -
Daniel, another picture for your site. I've obviously no problem with people taking copies of any pictures I send you, but would ask them to credit me with the originals.
I think the (cadet?) recorded on the last page of this card may actually have been Alfred Shead (pronounced 'Shed'?) who is on the section of the electoral register you now have. This card, that register section and other bits and pieces were given to me stored together in a plastic wallet among a small bundle of photos by a friend who knew I collected Essex pictures and documents. My friend, who salvaged this stuff - I didn't ask him where from - is not around to ask any longer, but he did say it all came from the same couple who were both dead..
The Sheads were either shoe repairers or had a shoe shop in Walthamstow, I need to check which, My guess is that Alfred Shead was either a canvasser, election agent, candidate for the council or even a councillor, hence the canvassing notations on the register section.
If Shead was a councillor and we knew what period he was in office, it would give us a clearer idea of the date of that register section. As it was canvassed, the section would relate to one of the election years during which Shead was in office, that would probably narrow it down to between, say, one to four or five years. Shead appears to have been alive in 1973, it may be around that time when he died.
Colleen Morrison - [Private Reply] [Public Reply]
Air Training Corps Welfare Fund Card
Air Training Corps Welfare Fund Card, interior
4 Jul 2010 - Hi Cuz, delighted to see you're making use of the info I recently sent to you about this fantastic site! It's a great way of bringing us closer together. No doubt you'll have read my articles under Family History about our STEWART ancestors & their period in Walthamstow.
Although nothing CONCRETE, as yet, think I might have uncovered some info relating to our Gt.Grandpa James STEWARTs first marriage!? Did you ever have any luck in this direction?
Hope all well with you & yours in Australia. Love,
Pam Ray - [Private Reply] [Public Reply]
4 Jul 2010 -
My dad's (Eddie BANKS) job meant doing lots of quirky pictures, one job I remember he did was to produce programs for the Walthamstow Dog Track and Speedway, I believe he took the job over when someone else gave it up. I'm unsure of the date but it would have been late 1930s to late 1940s or even early 1950s. I've seen some of these programs on ebay, though I haven't been quick enough to snap one up yet. I think I can recognise my dad's style in some of these programs. If anyone has one of these programs to post, I would be very interested to see it.
My dad also worked as a newspaper artist/cartoonist and had some cartoon and caricature series in the Walthamstow Guardian. One cartoon series was called 'SPEEDWAY SMILES', another was called 'USELESS EUSTACE': they were both about lazy speedway riders who had beautiful wives, if I recall them correctly. For another series, my dad drew characters of football stars (Walthamstow Avenue and Spurs) and local politicians: He was given a free press pass to White Hart Lane for painting or drawing some of the old Spurs stars. Sadly, my mum burnt my dad's portfolio after he died as she found it too painful to have around. I've had a look at the Archives at Walthamstow Museum without finding copies of these, though I went with such a lot of things that I wanted to look up and ended up half brain dead from over excitement and from staring at those microfilm/fiche machines. I need to make further visits and stay calm next time!
Colleen Morrison - [Private Reply] [Public Reply]
4 Jul 2010 - Thanks for the email and your interest in my photo: The cafe was next to the Walthamstow Bus Depot in Chingford Road in between the Bell Corner and the Monoux Boys School, and was sometimes known as Depot Corner, and my friends and I used to hang out there when we had nothing better to do and the owner, Fred, called us his angels for some unknown reason! Regards,
Tony Lacey - [Private Reply] [Public Reply]
4 Jul 2010 - Hello Daniel, I agree with everything you have suggested in the recent newsletter, so please go ahead and implement the improvements as you suggested.
I am also now looking at a Facebook site, where I have narrowed it down to a group known as Walthamstow Times i.e. I have culled out all of the childish stuff that occurs on Facebook. I know that some of those members are also looking in at Walthamstow Memories too.
One amusing incident occurred yesterday, when a member sent in some street party photos i.e. VE and VJ day, she also sent one of D-day and when I asked if that meant Dunkirk Day she asked her dad and he replied that it was on VDday. Knowing what VD normally means I found this rather funny. So does anyone have an idea what D-day means?
Len Hall, Australia - [Private Reply] [Public Reply]
From Daniel: Hello Len, many thanks for kind words. A good definition of D-Day is given in Wikipedia. Kindest regards.
4 Jul 2010 - Hi Daniel, Just received your email many thanks I am so pleased that at least I can here some news from Walthamstow and surrounding areas living so far away it brings me closer to home which I appreciate.
There is a few People that I have tried to find but it has been such a long while ago they could be dead now. Have you got births Marriages' and death Colum that I can go through for each Year until the present day?
I also wonder if you had thought of having a get together club say down at the park where interested People can meet and maybe find who they are looking for. Maybe have a sausage sizzle. Get the people to let you know if they could come if they are then you will know how many people that you have to cater for. You could charge them so much for the sausage sizzle then send them tickets for the sizzle.
We do this a lot to bring people then you can set up games like three legged race egg and spoon race would the people go for that sort of thing over there now.
But it's a wonderful way that the people can get together. Maybe have raffles and the money goes to Thorp Comb hospital or some children association. Also a fancy dress for the kids
I would love to be at home now and really have a good look around we have been in South Australia since 1974 before that we moved to where my husbands family lived Ramsgate Kent but as I was born and reared in Walthamstow I loved it and still do.
OH the Guardian do they have some where I could look though the birth and deaths??
I had better away now, but I would love to come back and see Walthamstow before I die. The frontage of the TOWN HALL is still as beautiful as I remember it. It is a wonderful building so clean looking and so well looked after. Cheers
Lil Keen - [Private Reply] [Public Reply]
From Daniel: Hello Lil, many thanks for your message and suggestions: A general 'stow 'gathering' is a great idea!
I shall try to develop it, taking into account that many of our visitors are - like yourself - now living a long way away and he journey for the 'do' would be long (The cost, of course, is another issue to ponder!).
The Club idea is also a good one, but would be limited to nearby residents. A 'soft' solution could be to suggest a fixed meeting place and date (ie: every Friday at 7pm), after we have organized the first 'gathering'.
As for BDM certificates, our site does not intend to compete with the many genealogical sites, a few of which you may find in our 'Links' page. I use Ancestry.co.uk and FindMyPast intensivly for my own family search.
If, however, you'd like me to look up a few names I will be glad to do that for you, to give you a 'starting point'.
Kindest regards
4 Jul 2010 -
My dad, Eddie BANKS, was a pupil of the George Monoux School during the 1920s to 30s. I wonder if anyone has any memories or photos of the school?
Also, my dad, who lived on Billet Road, did art classes in the evening during the late 1930s. I wonder if anyone might have an inkling about where he might have studied? thanks for any help anyone can give.
Colleen Morrison - [Private Reply] [Public Reply]
4 Jul 2010 -
Thanks for the great picture of Fred's Angels' Cafe, can I ask where in Walthamstow it was? Thanks.
Colleen Morrison - [Private Reply] [Public Reply]
4 Jul 2010 -
Daniel love your site thank you. As soon as I get myself organised I will look out some photos.
May I make a suggestion. On the family history page where you have the A-Z and General, once you click into a letter, ie L can I suggest that you have a back button to go back to the A-Z page. Thank you again for a great site. Regards,
Jacquie Liddiard - [Private Reply] [Public Reply]
From Daniel: Good suggestion: will introduce a [return to A-Z index] in each Family History page. On second thoughts, returning to the A-Z index from any page is easily obtained by clicking on the 'Family History' item of the main menu. What I will rather introduce is a [back to top] button on long pages of the site.
4 Jul 2010 -
Hi Daniel, Great job you are doing appreciate your time and effort. As regards your request for feedback:
1. Site " conversation". Your suggestion Private or Public replies I agree with. There could be names or events that other viwers would
recognise.
2. Photos. Good idea.
I leave for holiday tomorrow so composing this e-mail in a hurry will put some thought to suggestions when I return. Keep up the good work. Best regards,
John Evans - [Private Reply] [Public Reply]
Read the emails from the current year in Postbag 2010
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.
If you are 'digging your roots', the Family History section contains
emails we received, grouped alphabetically by
Surname.
Our "Postbags", grouped by years (see menu at
top of page), contain all the emails we received.
For those interested in music groups, the section Local Bands shows some from the 1950s
through to the early 70s. Memories:
this is an archive of photographs and stories about institutions,
local traders, places and historic events that reflect the
history of the old County Borough of Walthamstow and the
surrounding area.
Why are we doing this? Read our aims in here ...
Other
news...
Many of the photographs that were previously on the site are currently unavailable and will be placed on the website again at some point as a gallery - although many can be found in individual memories and stories.
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.
Read more about life in 20th century Walthamstow...