Haslemere Brighton Road SuttonHaslemere Brighton Road Sutton

Haslemere Brighton Road, Sutton

Haslemere was designed by local architect Herbert Appleton for his brother William in the 1880s. William Appleton, a tea merchant like his father, lived here with his wife Bessie, sons Bernard and Harold and daughters Florence and Dora and a cook, housemaid and a nurse. Harold died in 1906 age 27 and after Bessie's death in 1928 William lived in the house with his elder daughter Florence until his death on the 22nd October 1940. William left £173,075, a vast amount at the time, to his son Bernard and daughter Florence. 

William Appleton Of Haslemere Brighton Road SuttonWilliam Appleton Of Haslemere Brighton Road Sutton

William Appleton

Haselmere was demolished in the 1960s and a block of flats called Dunsfold Court stands on the site today. The original nameplate remains on the wall outside and a magnificent cedar tree still stands in the grounds that the Appleton children ould have played in over a hundred and twenty years ago.

Family Life 1940s

Another item in the box as a tiny little photo album called a Stamp Photo Album from around the Edwardian period. I have never seen such a tiny little album. I suppose it was for people to carry around in their pocket or bag. The photos are only about 2 to 3 cm high but are so wonderful. I'm sure they are not studio shots as they are too relaxed. They are a little snapshot in history of a few people long gone. In my opinion much to precious not to be preserved and shared.

Stamp Photo Album

Inside Of Stamp Photo Album

A Young Girl c.1910

Two Young Women c.1910

A Young Girl c.1910

All Jessie's photos can be seen HERE

Benfleet Hall was a large house in Sutton built in the 1860s by local builder Mr E Rabbits. The house was set in extensive grounds in Benhill Wood. In 1890 William Appleton, a tea merchant, became one in a succession of rich and influential residents to own the hall. He lived there with his wife Charlotte and third son Herbert who was an eminent architect of the time. Amongst Herbert's designs in Sutton were the Baptist Church in Hill Road, Sutton Public Offices and Sutton County School.

Benfleet Hall Sutton

Benfleet Hall Before The First World War

Sutton 1913 Map Benhill Wood Road Area

Map Of Benfleet Hall And Surrounding Area 1913

To assist with the many wounded servicemen returned to England during the First World War, large houses such as Benfleet Hall were converted to hospitals. This hospital was opened on the 11th June 1915 by the Lord Lieutenant of Surrey at the time and local resident Sir Ralph Forster, with sixty beds, for use as a Red Cross Hospital, under the care of Dr Hooper. The hospital was entirely funded by donations from local people, who gave money so generously they were soon able to accommodate seventy two patients. When it opened 80 members of The Voluntary Aid Detachment assembled, eager for the work that lay ahead of them. The hospital was run by two matrons and a small team of trained nurses but a large number of Sutton girls, gave their services as voluntary aid nurses for the duration of the war.

Benfleet Hall War Hospital Sutton

Benfleet Hall War Hospital

Benfleet Hall Sutton 1918 Soldiers And Staff Benfleet Hall War Hospital

The servicemen convalesced in Benfleet Hall's comfortable surroundings, in summer enjoying the extensive grounds by relaxing in deckchairs or playing croquet and bowls. The less physically fit spent time playing games such as draughts, chess or dominoes. 

Kitchener Ward Benfleet Hall War Hospital Sutton

Kitchener Ward Benfleet Hall War Hospital

After the war Miss H Gifford rented the house and it became The Marie Souvester School For Girls. Sadly by the mid 1930s this lovely old house was demolished and the many houses between Benhill Wood Road and Benhill Road, including those in Benfleet Close, stand on the site today.

1921 Census

At the time the country was still recovering from the First World War and at the tail end of the Spanish flu pandemic. Owing to the vast number of men who fell in the war, the Census reveals there were 1,096 women for every 1,000 men recorded, with this discrepancy being the biggest for those aged between 20 and 45. This means there were over 1.7 million more women than men in England and Wales, the largest difference ever seen in a census. 

There was a 35% increase in the number of people recorded in hospitals from the 1911 Census, three-quarters of whom were men. Presumably many were still suffering from wounds received in the war. Thanks to the additional information recorded on the status of parents and children, the Census also reveals the devastating impact the war had on families with over 730,000 fatherless children being recorded versus 261,000 without a mother. The 1921 census is a fascinating moment in history and as the 1931 census was destroyed by a fire and the 1941 census was not recorded because of the Second World War, this is the last census that will be released until 2052. It is well worth searching to see what you can find out.

Cast Iron Billy London Omnibus Driver 1877""Forty-three years on the road, and more," said Cast-iron Billy; "and, but for my 'rheumatics' I feel almost as 'ale and 'earty as any gentleman could wish. But I'm lost, I've been put off my perch. I don't mind telling of you I'm not so 'andy wi' the ribbons as in my younger days I was. Twice in my life I’ve been put off, and this finishes me. I'll never hold the whip again that's been in my hand these three and forty year, never! I can't sit at 'ome, my perch up there was more 'ome to me than 'anythink.' Havin' lost that I'm no good to nobody; a fish out o' water I be."

Cast Iron Billy lost his position as driver owing to his inability to cope with younger men driving opposition omnibuses along the same route. In this instance the omnibuses crossed each other, the younger and more active man so taking the lead as to pick up all the passengers. This was not all, our veteran had become so enfeebled as to require help to mount his perch, while the reins had to be secured to his coat, as he has partially lost the use of his left hand.

From 'Street Life in London', 1877, by John Thomson and Adolphe Smith

By the 1881 census, following the death of their parents Robert and Stephenson had inherited the family business and continued to trade from Tooting High Street. Then early in 1883 a tragedy struck which would devastate the family. I managed to piece together the circumstances of Stephenson's death from the records of Bethlem Hospital. Apparently he had fallen from a horse a short time previously, sustaining an injury to his head and then developed "mania". His brother and friends tried to look after him and for five days tried to keep the problem hidden but he had managed to escape from them and run out into the street in his night clothes while they were in another room. He was taken and admitted to Bethlem Hospital in St George's Fields in Southwark. A mental hospital with a terrible reputation, it was the outcome his brother and friends had been trying to avoid. On arrival to the hospital on the 7th April 1883 he was violent and spitting at the attendants, behaviour completely out of character. The tragedy is that if a similar head injury happened today, Stephenson's behaviour would be a recognised symptom, but in 1883 he was restrained and no doubt was not eating and drinking. On the 17th April, despite his brother and friends being in constant attendance, his condition deteriorated and in his weakened state died. 

Stephenson was buried in Tooting on the 22nd April 1883. It took three years for probate to be granted, as it appears Stephenson hadn't written a will. His occupation was listed as Coach Proprietor, Draper and Furniture Dealer of High Street Tooting. As a fit young man of only 27 years old probably death had not crossed his mind. His brother Robert, who was his next of kin, inherited £743. 

His memorial card hints at the heartache of his family and friends:

We weep with grief, that one so dear,

No more shall share our smiles or tears,

We weep for joy that God has given,

The hope that we may meet in heaven.

Memorial Card Stephenson Smith Died 17th April 1883 Memorial Card Stephenson Smith Died 17th April 1883 Memorial Card Stephenson Smith Died 17th April 1883

London, Bethlem Hospital Patient Admission Registers and Casebooks 1683-1932 can be searched here
 

Ashtead House Farm Lane Ashtead Surrey 1865Standing in Farm Lane , this house was the residence of Captain Nathaniel Smith and his wife Hesther from the late 18th century. Their three surviving daughters remained unmarried, this was believed to be due to the opposition from their mother, despite their being suitable suitors. George their son married a beautiful young woman, Sarah Hardman, who again was not accepted by Hesther. The marriage ended in disaster, Sarah leaving George with five young children who were brought up by his mother and sisters at Ashtead House. The eldest son, also called Nathaniel, married and had two children. Elizabeth their daughter married Charles Denshire in 1841, sadly to be widowed 12 years later. In 1859 Elizabeth married the widower Reverend William Denshire , her late husband's cousin, and with the marriage came eight step children.

This photo of Ashtead House, which stands in Farm Lane was taken c.1865. Nathanial Smith who had made his fortune in India moved to Ashtead House around 1790 with his wife Hester. He had the house substantially rebuilt around 1800. Their three surviving daughters, who lived in the house with them, remained unmarried. This was believed to be due to opposition from their mother, despite their being suitable suitors. George, their second son married a beautiful young woman called Sarah Hardman who again was not accepted by Hester. The marriage ended in disaster, Sarah leaving George with five young children, who were brought up by his mother and sisters at Ashtead House. The couple's eldest son, also called Nathaniel, married and had two children. Elizabeth, their daughter married Charles Denshire in 1841, sadly to be widowed 12 years later. In 1859 Elizabeth married the widower The Revd William Denshire, her late husband's cousin and with the marriage came eight step children six girls and two boys. The family are pictured below outside Ashtead House in 1861.

The Denshire Family Outside Ashtead House 1861From Left To Right Elizabeth, Hester (Aged 9) , Isabella (13) Mrs Elizabeth Smith (Elizabeth's Mother), Emma (15), Selina (11), Miss King (The governess), Mary (8), Seated on the grass Henrietta (6), Charles (4) and William (7). The history of the Denshire family at Ashtead House can be read here.

The Denshire Family From Left To Right : Elizabeth, Hester (Age 9), Isabella (Age 13), Mrs Smith (Elizabeth's mother), Emma (Age 15), Selina (Age 11), Miss King (the governess), Mary (Age 8).
Seated on the grass Henrietta (Age 6), Charles (Age 4) and William (Age 7).
 

Isabella was the first of the Denshire daughters to marry. She married Henry Bailey on the 8th Nov 1870. On the day of the wedding Miss Denshire arranged for St Giles School in Ashtead to be closed and the infant children to throw rose petals at the ceremony. 

The Wedding Of Isabella Denshire And Henry Bailey At Ashtead House Surrey 8th November 1870

On the 24th July 1872, Selina Denshire married Charles Wilde pictured below under what was reputed to be the largest tulip tree in England which stands in the grounds of Ashtead House. Her brother William Denshire, aged 18, is standing on the left. The remaining Denshire daughters, except Emma, had all married by 1889. Emma Denshire, the eldest daughter was considered to be the most beautiful of the sisters, but it was said she was jilted and after that remained unmarried, inheriting Ashtead House on her step-mothers death and living there until 1939 when she died in her 92nd year. Emma is buried in St Giles churchyard Ashtead.

The Wedding Of Selina Denshire And Charles Wilde Ashtead House Surrey 24th July 1872

Lewis. Blanche And Elsie Crump 1903Lewis Crump as born on 2nd Oct 1862 in Dudley, Worcestershire. In 1892 he married Blanche Sidney Oram in Birmingham and they had one daughter Elsie Kate born 1893. Lewis died on the 16th April 1936 in Gravelly Hill, Birmingham and Blanche died on the 28th September 1953 in Bournemouth. In this photo the family are outside their home "Pendennis" 49 Minstead Road, Erdington, Warwickshire.

Lewis Blanche And Elise Crump Outside
"Pendennis"65 Oval Rd, Gravelly Hill, Warwickshire
 

The postcard was sent in 1903 to an address in Cardiff and the message was signed Lewis and Blanche Crump. I managed to find them quite easily with such unusual names. Lewis Crump was born on the 2nd Oct 1862 in Dudley, Worcestershire. In 1892 he married Blanche Sidney Oram in Birmingham and they had one daughter Elsie Kate born 1893. On the 1911 census the family lived at "Pendennis" 65 Oval Rd, Gravelly Hill Warwickshire. If you look closely on the photo you can see the name "Pendennis" on the wall above the front door. It was also recorded that Lewis and Blanche had one daughter Elsie and no children had died.

The postcard message is quite cryptic. Posted to a Mr Maton, Langland House, Oakfield Street, Roath, Cardiff. It read : Dr Mr Maton, Many thanks for the interesting communication. We both join in hearty congratulations & trust the progress will be maintained. Very Kindest Regards from Lewis & Blanche Crump. 

Lewis Blanche And Elise Crump Outside"Pendennis"65 Oval Rd, Gravelly Hill, Warwickshire Birmingham PostmarkPosted to a Mr Maton, Langland House, Oakfield Street, Roath, Cardiff. It read : Dr Mr Maton, Many thanks for the interesting communication. We both join in hearty congratulations & trust the progress will be maintained. Very Kindest Regards from Lewis & Blanche Crump.

By the late 1920s a strange thing happened to the records. On the electoral register Elsie is no longer living with Lewis and Blanche but a woman called Daphne Queenie Crump. I presumed Elsie had left home to get married, although I couldn't find a marriage record for her, and another female relative had moved in but it became even more confusing in 1931 when Elsie appeared on the register too.

Crump Register

Lewis Crump died on 16 April 1936 when he was 73 years old in Bournemouth. After this the mystery deepens. On the 1939 register Blanche now registered as a widow is living with Daphne Queenie who's date of birth is the same as Elsie's in 1893 and she is listed as daughter. There seem to be only two possibilities, either Elsie changed her name to Daphne Queenie or the couple adopted another daughter who coincidentally was born in the same month and year as Elsie. Blanche died on the 28th September 1953 and the sole beneficiary of her will was Daphne Crump, spinster. Daphne died in Bournemouth in 1976 and appeared not to leave a will as a notice was posted in the London Gazette asking for people who may have a claim on her estate to contact the bank. I can not know for sure if little Elsie in the photo changed her name to Daphne Queenie and if she did what was the reason, but it makes me realise, the more research I do there are mysteries in every family. 

The house at 65 Oval Rd, Gravelly Hill still stands but everything looks very different today. Gravelly Hill, an area of Birmingham, is home to the present day interchange known as Spaghetti Junction. If only walls could talk 65 Oval Road may be able to answer the puzzle of what happened there to the Crump family in the 1920s, it seems it will remain a mystery.

The Old Sutton Station At Sutton Cricket GroundTaken in 1997

The new station, which is pictured here in a drawing from around 1880, had a booking office, waiting rooms and a shop. It was much better suited to the new passengers who travelled through to the coast on the newly opened Brighton line, from Leatherhead. This station continued in use until 1883 when it was demolished and another new building was erected.

Sutton Station 1880

Sutton Railway Station 1883

Sutton was a busy town when this photo as taken around 1918. Horse drawn cabs line the edge of the pavement and at the corner of Mulgrave road, just out of view was a horse trough and drinking fountain for thirsty passers by! 

Sutton Station c.1915

Charles Gardner was one of the Station Masters at Sutton station. He joined the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway company in May 1870 as a booking clerk at Clapham Junction with a weekly wage of £1.00. He worked at different stations in South London rising to become Station Master at Old Kent Road in 1881. By 1891 he was working at Purley, and by 1901 he was in charge at Sutton. Charles retired at the end of 1913.He stayed in the area until his death in 1938.

Charles Gardner Station Master at Sutton Station Taken On 8th May 1905Charles Gardner who was the Station Master at Sutton station. He joined the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway company in May 1870 as a booking clerk at Clapham Junction with a weekly wage of £1.00. He worked at different stations in South London rising to become Station Master at Old Kent Road in 1881. By 1891 he was working at Purley, and by 1901 he was in charge at Sutton. Charles retired at the end of 1913.He stayed in the area until his death in 1938. (Source research carried out on behalf of the HLF funded Past on Glass/Ordinary Lives)
Photo copied and cropped from The Past on Glass at Sutton Archives. Photographer David Knights-Whittome. Shared under the Creative Commons Non Commercial

                 Photo copied and cropped from The Past on Glass at Sutton Archives. Photographer David Knights-Whittome.

Shared under the Creative Commons Non Commercial
 

The population of Sutton continued to grow and the numbers of rail commuters increased. The new station pictured here was opened in 1928 to keep pace with the growth. New motor cabs replaced the horse drawn cab and the horse trough at the corner of Mulgrave Road moved to Brighton Road. 

Sutton Station 1940s
This station still stands today and due to the pandemic the commuters are a fraction of what they were a few years ago. Will passengers ever return in the numbers pre-pandemic? Only time will tell.

Sutton Station Taken From Platform 4 Towards Platform 3Taken on 3rd January 2020.

Sutton Station 2020

Royal Albert Asylum Lancaster
By the time of the introduction of the National Health Service in 1948 the hospital had 886 patients and it was renamed "The Royal Albert Hospital", and by 1968 on it's 100th anniversary there were over 1,000 patients. It wasn't all bad though, many of the staff worked very hard and there are records of an annual staff play, a toy jazz band, football and cricket teams and children’s shows. The implementation of the ‘Care in the Community’ policy in the 80s meant that mentally disabled people were to be treated and cared for in their homes rather than in an institution, Royal Albert Hospital’s patients started relocating back into the community. However it was too late for a new start for poor Fergus. He died in the hospital that had been his home his whole adult life, in August 1981 aged 62 years. The hospital closed in 1996.

Fergus Kay Crooks Dec 1924Read Fergus's story here

Fergus's younger brother Laurence appears not to have married or had children. He lived in Wigan all his life coincidentally dying exactly three months to the day, in December 1981, after Fergus aged 60. Both brothers are buried in Lower Ince Cemetery in Wigan. I really hope they are together.

Laurence Gilmer Crooks Jan 1925Read Laurence's story here

The Wish Tower Eastbourne 1920s
At some point after this census was recorded Rose must have become ill. The family's carefully chosen words on her memorial card give a hint to how much poor Rose must have suffered. 

Memorial Card Rose Bourne Front Memorial Card Rose Bourne Inside 1 Memorial Card Rose Bourne Inside 2 Rose died on the 31st May 1921 and was buried in the family grave at Ocklynge Cemetery, Eastbourne with her mother who only died the year before at the age of 50. It seemed all so sad but searching on Ancestry the large family seem to have produced many descendants to remember Rose. At a time in the country of the great loss of the First World War this family certainly seemed to have their own heartache.

Alfred James Stubbs Aged 101 With His Daughter Lucy Winifred Chilvers (Nee Stubbs)Taken on 27th November 1959 at Great Witchingham Norfolk.

  Alfred was born on the 28th March 1858 in Norwich, Norfolk. He was the tenth of 11 children of Charles and Sarah Stubbs (Nee Smith). The family lived at no 3 Woolpack Yard, Golden Ball Street, Norwich and Alfred's father Charles worked as a poulterer. After his father's death in 1878 Alfred took over the family business. In 1887 he married Jane Louisa Smith and the couple had six children, four surviving to adulthood.  For nearly 80 years he ran the family business. When their home was bombed out during World War 2 and they moved out to Great Witchingham, Alfred continued to travel into work until he was 95.

 The couples second daughter, Lucy Winifred is pictured here with her father in 1959. Lucy was born on the 25th Jan 1894. On the 15th August 1915, at 21, Lucy married Henry Chilvers, a 21 year old young man who also lived in Norwich. Henry had volunteered to become a soldier in the Norfolk Regiment during world war one and Lucy served herself in France during the war with the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps. Tragically Henry was killed in action in France, less than two years after their marriage, on the 23rd April 1917. Like so many young widows at the time Lucy never remarried and she lived with her parents until her mother's death aged 95 in 1951 and with her father until he died on 12th December 1960 at the incredible age of 102. Because of his longevity Alfred had been quite a local celebrity giving interviews to local papers. Only retiring six years before his death he gave the secret of his long life to eggs and more eggs. So maybe that should be a lesson to us all! Lucy died four years after her father in 1964 aged 70 years old. This photo was taken outside their home at 2 King's Head Terrace, Great Witchingham Norfolk where the family lived in the final years of their lives.

Frank Martin Mayhew And Edna Ellen Mayhew Nee Edwards c.1910Frank Martin Mayhew was born in 1873 in Birmingham. He married Edna Ellen Edwards at Christ Church, Sparkbrook, Warwick on the 8th October 1898. Edna was also born in Birmingham on 30th March 1870. They had two children who are in this photo Harold Clarence (Born 22nd April 1900) and Doris Edna (Born 15th Dec 1904) . Frank died on 9th Aug 1924 age 64 and Edna on 29 Apr 1959 age 89.


The family lived at 64 Doris Road Sparkhill Birmingham.

Although it is written on the back c.1900. I think this photo would have been taken around 1906. Little Harold looks about six and Doris about two. In 1911 the family lived at 64 Doris Road, Sparkhill, Birmingham and Frank was working as a travelling salesman in the brass and iron industry. Frank died in 1924 aged 51 and Edna lived another 35 years as a widow until her death in 1959 aged 89. Harold remained unmarried and died in 1976 and although Doris married twice she died without any children aged 89. 

 I think this rather serious little family photo, typical of the time, was probably taken on a family holiday as the children are holding spades and there is a bucket on the floor. It has captured one tiny moment in their family life, that has now been preserved in the future. 

Young Boy Named Edward Bernard Butlerb. 6th Sep 1919 Garfield Park Hospital Chicago USA
Son of William Bernard Butler and Alice Butler (nee Edwards)

When I started researching the little smiling boy in the photo I was amazed at what an interesting life he had led. I found out so much, but annoyingly there are still so many gaps I couldn't fill in. Edward's mother Alice Edwards was born on 7th March 1881 in Birmingham, England. She was the seventh child of nine children of Harry and Kate Edwards (Nee Durden) . In 1910 she married Bertram Alcock, also from Birmingham, and the couple emigrated to Chicago, Illinois where Bertram worked as a toolmaker. Sadly in 1917 Bertram died leaving Alice a widow at only 36 years old. 

  The following year, Alice married William Butler a 56 year old grocer, nearly twenty years her senior, who was also originally born in Birmingham, England and who had emigrated to Chicago in 1889. William was the eldest of seven children to Richard and Frances Butler (Nee Sneath). I love to think of them meeting at some sort of ex-pats group! How nice it must have been for them both to talk about home. In 1919, their son Edward Bernard was born and it should have been a new beginning for the little family, but tragically in 1925, at 44 years old and when her little boy was only 5 years old, Alice died too. 

Poor William, alone in America with a five year old. By the following year he had returned to England with Edward, giving an address in Cleethorpes, where is younger sister lived, as his destination. It must have been a very different England to the one he had left in 1889.

The next reference I could find to the family is on the 1939 register, when William and Edward were still living in Cleethorpes. William had retired and Edward gave his occupation as a clerk at a fish merchants. The next document I came across was from 1943. It was a draft card, for a 24 year old Edward who had returned to America to join the army during WW2. He gave his father's address as 9, Prince's Road, Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire and his occupation as a student at Hull University. What happened next to Edward I am unsure of. His father William died in Cleethorpes in 1946 but sadly I can find no other definite mentions of Edward after he joined the army. An Edward Bernard Butler with the same birthday died in Croydon Surrey in 2001. I wonder, could this be the little boy in the photo. I can find no other mention of this name in the area or any family links so I can't just presume. Even though I have moved on to the next family photo, I'm not completely giving up. I will keep going back to the records as I would love to complete the journey of the life of the little smiling boy in the photo.

Frederick Charles Bowley Certificate Of Service London Transport ExecutiveFrederick Charles Bowley Certificate Of Service London Transport Executive

What a different time it was working for a company like London Transport in those days. The London Passenger Transport Board was formed in 1933 and unified services in the London area for the first time. The London Passenger Transport Act 1933 removed responsibility for 167.17 miles (269.03 km) of tram route from the London County Council, three county boroughs and a number of other local authorities in the Greater London area. It brought the UERL lines under the same control, and took over supervision of buses from the Metropolitan Police. The period also saw massive expansion of the tube network and was directly responsible for the expansion of the suburbs. 
 

Bus 200 To Wimbledon Station CLE 149 1930sBus 200 To Wimbledon Station CLE 149 1930s

By 1948 The London Transport Executive had become the transport authority. This period saw the start of direct recruitment from the Caribbean and the repair and replacement of stock and stations damaged during the war as well as completion of delayed projects such as the Central line eastern extension. The AEC Routemaster bus was introduced in 1956. Trams were withdrawn in 1952 and trolleybuses in 1962. 

London Transport MXX 7 80A Sutton Garage 1950sLondon Transport MXX 7 80A Sutton Garage 1950s

Frederick must have witnessed all these changes in his career. I'm sure he enjoyed the stability of a long career after already suffering so much in his life. Frederick Charles Jesse Bowley was born on 21 June 1893 in Lambeth, Surrey, his father, Frederick, was 20 and his mother, Emily, was 19. He had one brother and five sisters. During World War One Fred went to France on the 15th March 1915 with the 24th London Regiment. He was wounded on the 29th October 1915 with a gun shot wound to his abdomen and was subsequently discharged from the army because of his wounds. A few years after this Frederick must have recovered enough to commence working at London Transport and he married Gladys Dyer in April 1923 in Willesden, Middlesex. In 1939 his occupation is listed as an Electric Motor Mechanic. The couple didn't appear to have any children and Fred died in June 1975. All those years of loyal service and the certificate sells for just £2. I really hope one day it can be reunited with family.

Search For London Transport Collectables On Ebay
 

One of the photos I bought recently was of this little boy identified as Percy Victor Sims taken in February 1912, aged 3 years 3 months.

Percy Victor Simms Aged 3 years 3 months in Feb 1912Percy Victor Sims Aged 3 years 3 months in Feb 1912

   Percy Victor Sims was born on 30th Nov 1908. He was the only child of Percy and Rosa Sims (Nee Biddle). In 1911 the family lived at 14 Beacon Street, Lichfield, Staffordshire. His father was a fishmonger. Sadly only 2 years later, in 1913, Percy died just 4 years old. His mother and father moved to 7 Brizlincote Street, Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire by 1939. The couple didn't appear to have had any more children. 

   I worry that the line of this little family has died and Percy Victor will be forgotten. Somewhere in Lichfield, Percy may have a tiny headstone in a cemetery. I hope that by sharing this photo, someone may search for details about him and his short life will always be remembered. 

Meta Josephine Lacy (Nee Henry) Born 25th Nov 1869 Died 5th Oct 1961 Married 1892

Meta Josephine Henry was born on 25 November 1869 in Ireland to Sarah Lucy Hickson, age 33, and Thomas Shuldham Henry, age 33. She married Saumarez Dacre Lacy in October 1892 when she was 22 years old. Her son Alexander Dacre was born on 6 May 1894 in Weymouth, Dorset and her son Richard Saumarez was born on 2 December 1895 also in Weymouth, Dorset. Meta Josephine Henry died on 5 October 1961 in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, when she was 91 years old.

  This beautiful young woman led such a full life into old age and because someone took the time to write on the back of the photo, all these years later the photo has come to life again.

Alice Jackman At The Window Of West Lodge Ashtead Park c.1900Alice Maud Mary Jackman was born in 1892 in Totten Hampshire. Her father William, a railway porter at Lyndhurst, was tragically killed in an accident being hit by a train when Alice was only a few weeks old. Her Mother Fanny remarried Arthur Dibben a train driver, and the family moved to Rectory Lane Ashtead, Alice attended St Giles School Ashtead and was one of the pupils who took turns to sit in the window of West Lodge Ashtead Park and open the gates for approaching carriages. The headmaster of St Giles School made this agreement with Thomas Lucas, the owner of Ashtead Park in exchange for renting the lodge at the cost of £40 per annum.
Alice married a local man Jack Worsfold in 1920 and gave birth to two sons, Howard and Meredith. She lived locally all her life until her death in 1974 aged 82.

  Meredith's mother Alice Maud Mary Jackman was born in 1892 in Totten Hampshire. Her father William, a railway porter at Lyndhurst, was tragically killed in an accident being hit by a train when Alice was only a few weeks old. Her Mother Fanny remarried Arthur Dibben a train driver, and the family moved to Rectory Lane Ashtead, Alice attended St Giles School Ashtead and was one of the pupils who took turns to sit in the window of West Lodge Ashtead Park and open the gates for approaching carriages. The headmaster of St Giles School made this agreement with Thomas Lucas, the owner of Ashtead Park in exchange for renting the lodge at the cost of £40 per annum.

  Alice married a local man Jack Worsfold in 1920 and gave birth to two sons, Howard and Meredith. She lived locally all her life until her death in 1974 aged 82. 

   Meredith walked a mile every day until well into his 80s, to keep active after a hip operation, and regularly stopped on his walk to chat with my Mum and Dad. We were all so upset to hear he had died, aged 90, in October 2012. I have included this photo of him taken as a child, as I feel if Ashtead residents are being remembered he should certainly be included.

Meredith Worsfold 1922-2012

Children Leaving St Giles School c.1880In 1852 the original part of the school was built on land given by Mrs Mary Howard and erected at her expense. The school was then conveyed to the Rector of the parish and his successors for ever. Prior to this in Ashtead there had only been charity schools. One in Park Cottage in Park Lane was paid for by a bricklayer David White, who left money for educational purposes, and donations from the Howard family. In 1818 this school was attended by some seventy children under the care of James Penny and Elizabeth Huck.
Initially the school was in three parts, infants, boys and girls but the boys and girls were amalgamated in 1900, despite protests from the girls' mistress that although she would loyally do her part, she thought there was great moral harm in mixing the sexes! The head teacher would record daily the problems of running the school including the mystery of the missing dinners from the cloakroom, which was solved when a rat was found with it's nose in one of the baskets!

St Giles School Pupils 1911Back Row 4th From Left Emily Ada Lisney Born 1904. Aged 7 or 8.
 The normal school day was 9am to 4.30pm with eight weeks holiday a year. There were however, often problems with attendance as children could be kept at home to help with work such as haymaking and in bad weather attendance often dropped due to problems with travelling to school. Until 1925 when a new school was built in Langley Bottom, sixty children from the area were driven to school in a horse drawn wagon. In this photo taken in 1911, Emily Ada Lisney is pictured aged about 7 years old in the back row 4th from the left. 

St Giles School 100th Anniversary

In 2002 St Giles' School celebrated it's 150th Anniversary with a special Victorian Day and church service at St Giles Church. St Giles School 150th Anniversary   

Without the internet, I doubt I would have been able to find out anything about the family in a collection of recent photos I purchased. There were very few clues, but a magazine cutting gave me a starting point. 

William Brownbill, Joseph Rainford, John McEgan Retirement Notice. D L Boult Divisional Works Manager.

One of the men in the photo is in other photos of a couple identified as Mum and Dad, but how to find which is his name as they are not identified individually in the photo. Another of the photos was of two young women in the back yard of a house with the caption Doreen and Lilian 308 Boundary Road, St Helens 1952. 

Lilian And Doreen Brownbill 308 Boundary Road St Helens Lancashire 1952Lilian (Lily) Brownbill was born in 1934 and she is here on the left with her elder sister Doreen who was born in 1931.

With this information I could search the 1939 register on Find My Past which has a really useful address search option. I scrolled to number 308 and the family who lived where the Brownbill family. I had found the family so quickly. William and his wife Elizabeth with their daughters Doreen and Lily. Without the internet I'm sure it would have been days of trawling through files at The Public Records Office. For anyone who is trying to research family around that time I have found the 1939 register to be one of the most useful resources. I can now add photos of the Brownbill family to the website in the hope that one day a family member may find them.

William And Elizabeth Brownbill Scarborough 1965William Brownbill was born in Prescot in Lancashire in 1900 he married Elizabeth Gillibrand who was also born in 1900 in 1924 and they had two daughters Doreen and Lilian.

Search The 1939 Register Here

Large Soft Plush Bagpuss

Even as a teenager, as I was when Bagpuss started, I loved him. I couldn't resist buying this lovely Bagpuss toy for just 10p at a jumble sale last year. Even though he is just a "a saggy, old cloth cat" . 

Women At A Jumble Sale In The 1960sWomen At A Jumble Sale In The 1960s

I can remember clearly skipping all the way home with my Mum regaling the wonders of Bring and Buy Sales to her. When I got home I ran upstairs to examine my wonderful purchase. Inside the purse there was a little zip pocket. I unzipped it and inside was a shiny sixpence. I couldn't believe it a beautiful purse and a profit as well. I thought and thought about the person who had owned the purse and where it had been. It seemed so special to me because it had a history. I was hooked and still am. 

To me social history is in every item around us. Every little item from a train ticket to an old diary is a little moment in time to be preserved. I hope other people enjoy browsing the photos of the ordinary little items from the past on this site.

Cars are an enormous part of our lives. Most people work so hard to own their car, love it and polish it. It can become almost part of the family. I remember with such pleasure cars from my childhood. A Vauxhall Cresta and a Humber Sceptre. They are two I remember with such nostalgia. If I am at a show that has beautiful restored old cars and I am lucky enough to find one of these two I can't resist looking inside. Family holidays, days out at the seaside all come flooding back. My sister and I in the back with our little poodle. Happy days! If I found out one of our cars had been lovingly restored and was still driving around after all these years I would be so pleased. I was recently contacted by a man who was trying to locate a car he had owned in the late 1960s and found a photo of it on the site. He still hasn't found the car but between us we have managed to find out more of it's history. I photograph interesting cars all the time. Everyone of them has a past. This beautiful 1967 Volvo Amazon has been perfectly restored. How thrilled the original owner would be to know of its condition.

1967 Volvo 122S NYC 783F    However this is not how most cars end their days. I feel such a twinge of sadness when I see a once beautiful car abandoned and rusty. This lovely gold 1975 Mercedes 350 SE must have been a wonderful sight when brand new. It would definitely have been someones pride and joy.

1975 Mercedes 350 SE Auto KEH 628N
    Maybe in this present world, when we are constantly being told the worlds resources are not infinite, more of us should be restoring old cars and preserving what we have. One day it may become a necessity.

One of my favourites was Mick The Disobedient Puppy who was a little poodle puppy always getting in to scrapes. However he managed to save his family from a fire and all was forgiven, he was the hero of the day. I loved this story as we had a little poodle too. 

Ladybird Book Mick The Disobedient PuppyThis book has lost it's dust jacket which would have had 2/6 printed on it. Printed between 1952 and 1965.

Mick THe Disobedient Pup Inside

When I was at a jumble sale I discovered another Ladybird book from my childhood. It was in lovely condition and I couldn't resist buying it. It was called Tiptoes The Mischievous Kitten.

Ladybird Book Tiptoes The Mischievous KittenMatt Boards. Priced 24p. Printed between 16 June 1975 – 10 January 1978.
Tiptoes The Mischevious Kitten
Every picture takes me back. It is a lovely little book telling the story of Mr Moffat who bought a kitten called Tiptoes as a present for his baby. Tiptoes is very naughty and Mrs Moffat is in despair. They discuss getting rid of her and she runs away only to return home a long time later a grown up and sensible cat with kittens of her own. 

I entirely blame Mr Moffat for being so irresponsible to buy a kitten as a present for a baby!

I'm sure everyone has a favourite Ladybird book and this is definitely mine! You can view all the Ladybird books in my collection Here

Sitting On The Promenade With The Band Playing 1920s

While older people enjoyed a restful break, for teenagers in the 1920s the war had changed life dramatically. Many young women found life was much less restrained. I love this next photo taken on Brighton beach in the late 1920s. The fun is so clear to see. All but one of the youngsters are identified on the back.

Left to Right Bob Penning, Elsie Ash, Gladys Punter, Don Penning, Alice Piper, ?, Heathcote Penning. I'm sure they looked back on this day with such happiness.
 

Teenagers On Brighton Beach 1920sLeft to Right Bob Penning, Elsie Ash, Gladys Punter, Don Penning, Alice Piper, ?, Heathcote Penning. Taken 1928 or 1929.

Another traditional favourite at the seaside in the 1920s and 30s was Punch And Judy, incredibly dating back to the 1660s, by the late Victorian era the target audience had changed to children and the mobile seaside booth had become popular. This photo shows Uncle Lew's Punch And Judy at Great Yarmouth beach in the 1930s.

Uncle Lew's Punch and Judy Great Yarmouth Beach 1930s

Finally of all the photos I have to choose from at the seaside in the 1930s I couldn't resist this showing this wonderful group of people dancing in the sea at Selsey Bill Sussex. I often look at my old photos and hope the people in them had a happy life. It is impossible to imagine that this group of people could not have done!

Dancing In The Sea At Selsey Bill Sussex 1930s

That afternoon in the spring sunshine we were out in the garden. She was sitting on the bench with my youngest daughter watching me watering some new plants when another little robin starting running about in the flower bed. So tame and cheeky it was right next to us and Scarlett could not contain her joy at the moment.

Later that evening after Scarlett had gone I was thinking how wonderful moments like this make memories but I doubt Scarlett will remember it . If only we had been ready and taken a photograph it may have become a memory in life. One to hold onto in adulthood as a precious childhood moment. It is a lesson learned. Forget selfies with your children and grandchildren but capture the moment around you.

This is the lovely photo I thought of, look at the expressions on the women’s faces, it really is a tiny moment in time to bring joy forever. It certainly brings me joy when I look at it.

Feeding A Robin In The Garden 1950s

On 11th July 1931, after months of preparation, a carnival and fete to raise money for the building of Sutton and Cheam Hospital, was held. The day was attended by 22,000 people in Collingwood Road Recreation Ground. It was in bright sunshine that a procession of decorated cars set off from North Cheam and wound through back roads round Cheam and Sutton until it's final stretch down the High Street and Bushey Road to The Recreation Ground in Collingwood Road. This float shows Beauty Queen Miss Pat Louis accompanies by her child attendants.

Sutton Fete 11th July 1931The procession of cars set off from North Cheam wound through back roads round Cheam and Sutton until it's final stretch down the High Street and Bushey Road to The Recreation Ground in Collingwood Road. This float shows Beauty Queen Miss Pat Louis accompanies by her child attendants.

Ron & Ernest Webb, pictured below in their garden in Benhill Avenue Sutton,were among the hundreds of people collecting money throughout the day of the fete. The fete continued until midnight with attractions such as steam roundabouts, Punch & Judy, pony rides and swing boats. With the Sutton Red Cross Band providing the music for dancing in the evening the enormously popular day raised £2140 towards the building of the new Sutton and Cheam Hospital.
 

Ron And Ernest Webb Sutton Fete 11th July 1931Ron & Ernest Webb were among the hundreds of people collecting money throughout the day of the fete. This photo was taken in the back garden of their home Sundew in Benhill Avenue, Sutton. The fete continued until midnight with attractions such as steam roundabouts, Punch & Judy, pony rides and swing boats. With the Sutton Red Cross Band providing the music for dancing in the evening the enormously popular day raised £2140 towards the building of the new Sutton and Cheam Hospital.

More photos from the fundraising fete

Petticoat Lane 1968A photo of two ladies and a car in Petticoat Lane taken in 1968. More photos of London in the 1960s, 70, and 80s are available here.

Kidderminster 1977A photo of Kidderminster in Worcestershire taken in 1977 showing people at the entrance to the Swan Centre, John Fane Wine Shop, TV Minster TV Rentals and Fosbrooks Fashion Store. More photos from this collection can be seen here.

Singapore Airlines Concorde 1980 Photo No 2Photo of a Singapore Airlines Concorde taken in 1980.

View more vintage aeroplane photos here.

Home Life 1961

View more films here

The Woodman Carshalton The Woodman in Carshalton High Street.

Carshalton PondsTaken on 14th May 2017 Carshalton Ponds.

The Clock House Pound Street Carshalton The Clock Shop.

Waterfall On The River Wandle Grove Park Carshalton 2010

The waterfall in Grove Park. Carshalton is certainly a lovely place to live.

Agecroft Power Station Manchester 1980Taken from the Chemistry Tower which was demolished in 1993. The view towards Agecroft Power Station Manchester 1980.

View From Chemistry Tower University Of Salford 1980Looking West To The Tower Blocks In The Belvedere Area Of Salford View From Chemistry Tower University Of Salford 1980. Looking West To The Tower Blocks In The Belvedere Area Of Salford.

St Mary's Infant And Junior School Carshalton Centenary Celebration 1990 Photo 8 There must be so many children who remember this day fondly. Here's Mrs Juster surveying the proceedings. 

St Mary's Infant And Junior School Carshalton Centenary Celebration 1990 Photo 4 The other photos added are of the building of the school hall in 1999, there is also an inside photo of the old school hall. There are 25 photos in the section now so it is well worth a look if you have happy memories of the school.

The Building Of The New School Hall St Mary's Infant School Carshalton 1999 2

A British Postman c 1910A British Postman c 1910

    He may not have had mountains of junk mail to carry about but he would have had to make four deliveries a day over a very large area, all on foot. So take a moment to appreciate your hard pressed postman or woman today in this busy run up to Christmas.

The Canadian Light Horse Going Into Action On Vimy Ridge

A Canadian Soldier At The Graves Of His Comrades At Vimy Ridge

The attack at Vimy Ridge was undertaken by the Canadian Corps (of the First Army) on Easter Monday, the 9th of April, 1917. Today we remember all the men who died in this battle.

Taken on the 7th September 2016.

Taken on 7th April 2017.

These photos were are taken seven months apart and work is progressing on the new Marks And Spencer site in Ashtead Street. I wish I had taken a photo of the petrol station that used to stand here, I am already starting to forget it.