tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5432133643734415429.comments2024-03-15T07:29:28.378+00:00OLD DEPTFORD HISTORYAndyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10318768945646828358noreply@blogger.comBlogger951125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5432133643734415429.post-14279303213094619872024-03-10T22:32:11.760+00:002024-03-10T22:32:11.760+00:00I lived at 17 Pender Street from 1959 to 1963. Sta...I lived at 17 Pender Street from 1959 to 1963. Stan and Vera Cowburn were our neighbours. I attended Rachel Macmillan nursery and then Clyde Street school. We were moved from Pender Street as part of the slum clearance to Mottingham. My dad was born in Berthon Street. Our family name was Blackmore. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5432133643734415429.post-69500284565502293022024-03-08T20:47:56.944+00:002024-03-08T20:47:56.944+00:00I have recently found a connection to Deptford via...I have recently found a connection to Deptford via my in laws Grandparents Charles Alfred Porter and Susan Mary Osborne. They lived at 43 Watson Street in Deptford. They had 10 kids, 2 died in infancy. I was told recently that the houses in that area were destroyed in the bombings - the relatives lived. There is one child of theirs I would love to locate information on - William John Porter. He was born 17 AUG 1907 in Deptford. I cannot find an obituary, grave, date of death, etc. Would love to see if anyone could help. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5432133643734415429.post-23601438265933651802024-02-15T19:51:27.100+00:002024-02-15T19:51:27.100+00:00I’ve just found a Great Uncle I had, lived there u...I’ve just found a Great Uncle I had, lived there until 1974 - he was a marine in the WW1 for 4 years, signed up at 17yrs, not sure how he ended up in Carrington but trying to find anyone who may of known him, he was called “Jack of Carrington” in the death notice. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5432133643734415429.post-80740838140106652152024-02-07T07:53:53.781+00:002024-02-07T07:53:53.781+00:00I lived in Shere Road 1960-1966. I remember Lilies...I lived in Shere Road 1960-1966. I remember Lilies fondly. There was a Mynah Bird in a cage next to the door.<br />It would talk using colourful language and flick water and seeds at anyone passing.Man Erghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07053345812157900592noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5432133643734415429.post-29356652412021569252024-02-04T11:38:57.463+00:002024-02-04T11:38:57.463+00:00This is such an interesting insight, so sad. My Gr...This is such an interesting insight, so sad. My Great Uncle was at Carrington House until 1974. He was called Jack of Carrington, just trying to find out more. He went into WW1 at 16yrs of age (I’ve got sons this age cannot imagine) anybody know of a Jack of Carrington?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5432133643734415429.post-38863834775886917622024-02-04T11:18:23.594+00:002024-02-04T11:18:23.594+00:00Did you write the story in the end? I had a Great ...Did you write the story in the end? I had a Great Uncle in there & trying to find out more Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5432133643734415429.post-31776502582834135272024-02-01T09:52:52.977+00:002024-02-01T09:52:52.977+00:00Maynes was my great uncles shop. He owned one here...Maynes was my great uncles shop. He owned one here one in Welling and for a while one in Southwark Park Road. He started as a shop boy sleeping under the counter Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5432133643734415429.post-65076355019971611172024-01-13T14:51:22.032+00:002024-01-13T14:51:22.032+00:00Hey, I just seen this I am not sure you even got t...Hey, I just seen this I am not sure you even got the flat. This was family’s pub my Nan and Grandad had this pub from when my mum was seven. This is my whole childhood and I miss it desperately. I was in Deptford watching Millwall a while back and took a picture outside the pub. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5432133643734415429.post-55525300191172955172024-01-10T10:47:17.006+00:002024-01-10T10:47:17.006+00:00Absolutely you are so right.
AndyAbsolutely you are so right. <br /><br />AndyAndyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10318768945646828358noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5432133643734415429.post-79271931174777913902024-01-08T15:22:01.694+00:002024-01-08T15:22:01.694+00:00It is not surprising to read some of the comments ...It is not surprising to read some of the comments but these represent the bias of the general society and the unknown <br />I worked there in the early 1980s and with a team of 100 staff we got rid of the negative views of the public then. Yes there was a minority among 750 men who were really bad. But the majority were law abiding but unfortunate men from all walks of life including doctors lawyers builders gardeners labourers. We made the place a decent one to live in until we helped many resettle in their own flats. We helped some of the older people move into care homes. Many of these people were victims and being attacked by outsiders. I remember speaking on the radio news round in 1984 when one on our residents was stabbed by a member of the public. I agree places like these attract negative comments and anxieties due to our own ignorance and internalised prejudice . Just someone approaching you and begging does not mean they are harmful. I agree there was a very insignificant minority getting drunk and behaving inappropriately . But the public was not attacked by any of the residents. It was the other way round.Devnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5432133643734415429.post-3990811103499060642023-12-25T11:15:22.294+00:002023-12-25T11:15:22.294+00:00Hello Tony,
As a boy, I lived in Speedwell Street....Hello Tony,<br />As a boy, I lived in Speedwell Street.<br />There was indeed an abbatior where the white wall is on the photo. It belonged to a butchers in the High Street whose premises were connected. Wellbeloveds, the butcher had their own farm in Kent and the lorries with the animals used to back into Speedwell Street and the animals led in.<br />I don't recall a short cut to the High Steet, went either via Comet Street or through Empire Place, an alley that ran between the Stage Door at the back of the Empire and the hostel of the Nursing Sisters of St John the Divine (think 'Call the Midwife)<br />Hope it helps.Speedwellnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5432133643734415429.post-49364612144920435862023-12-19T03:27:56.100+00:002023-12-19T03:27:56.100+00:00About 35 years ago, when I had not been in Deptfor...About 35 years ago, when I had not been in Deptford long, I visited LB Hackney's Local History Library in De Beauvoir Town. Making my way from the station, I was astonished to see the exact same house. Although Butt Lane became Deptford High Street in the late 1820s, many houses remained up until the 1870s. Number 13 is an odd survivor, but up until 150 years ago would probably not have stood out. As for the pillars etc, I did a bit of digging and both 13 and the house in Hackney are straight out of 18th Century builders catalogues. <br />Bill EllsonThe Grim Reaperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17369913438808659085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5432133643734415429.post-61364313039771567752023-11-26T22:53:52.854+00:002023-11-26T22:53:52.854+00:00my 3rd great-grandfather Samuel Harris and my 3rd ...my 3rd great-grandfather Samuel Harris and my 3rd great grandmother sarah taylor at number 11 mary ann buildings in 1891ray carpenterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06606736225329797296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5432133643734415429.post-4706518554615168042023-11-25T20:33:26.691+00:002023-11-25T20:33:26.691+00:00I remember fantos being there in1959/60 one of my ...I remember fantos being there in1959/60 one of my girlfriends irene naulder was the bosses secretary at that timeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5432133643734415429.post-12083267725347286282023-11-20T14:58:54.244+00:002023-11-20T14:58:54.244+00:00William Wright was also my grandfather. My dad Sta...William Wright was also my grandfather. My dad Stanley Wright lived above the shop, he was younger than Reuben.<br />JackieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5432133643734415429.post-48998676398736975382023-11-19T19:36:33.789+00:002023-11-19T19:36:33.789+00:00I’m listening to a podcast about this today. I’m listening to a podcast about this today. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5432133643734415429.post-57888647585667769212023-09-03T09:04:09.002+01:002023-09-03T09:04:09.002+01:00I lived in Payne Street with Mum, Dad and two youn...I lived in Payne Street with Mum, Dad and two younger brothers. It was close to the Douglas Way market. I too remember the Jellied Eel stall. There was a curtain material stall on Saturdays and I would help the asthmatic proprietor of the stall set up. Collecting his rolls of material from a basement property further down Douglas Way.<br />St Paul’s Church, I played football for them too, this was with Father Beaumont. We had an all red kit, when raining the dye from the red socks would turn our feet red. Wonderful memories.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5432133643734415429.post-29588756313873518142023-08-30T15:14:28.232+01:002023-08-30T15:14:28.232+01:00I lived at 54 Napier Street up until 1968 too whic...I lived at 54 Napier Street up until 1968 too which was directly opposite the old Police Station. We used to play in the coal bunker - very health & safety conscious. Went to St Joseph's School and definitely remember Charlie. Good times.<br /> Carole Pridmore (nee Fever)noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5432133643734415429.post-33806795264237136972023-08-22T10:25:22.899+01:002023-08-22T10:25:22.899+01:00Page 3
We were very glad to have Will home with u...Page 3<br /><br />We were very glad to have Will home with us for a few days Easter. Actually I didn't see much of him as I took advantage of his presence to go to Great Billing to see Dora. I couldn't have gone otherwise, because there must be someone here to look after Mum. Dora has given birth to her third son, Michael Eric William Burn. Sid nearly shed tears of disappointment. Everyone hoped for a girl. It's a dear little thing, but it is too early to say whom he resembles. Dora certainly has her hands full. She's not a very patient person, so I think she has stuck things pretty well. She is living in a thatched cottage with absolutely no convenience. There is no electricity, only oil lamps. That wouldn't be so bad, but the only water available is well water. The well outside Dora's back door is suitable for washing, but not for drinking. Therefore, for every drop of water, she has to lug a pail about 150 yards down the lane and round the corner. Terribly inconvenient with three children.<br /><br />I stayed two days, returning to London on Sunday afternoon. Dora was very glad to see me, and when I wasn't washing children, etc., it did me good to see some green fields and trees again. This is the first break I have had for a long, long, time. One is apt to forget that life doesn't only consist of work and war.<br /> <br />However, I must confess I was glad to be in London again. I was scared lest London would have another blitz while I was away. It was a queer experience for a Londoner to go into Northampton and see the people so untouched by the war. The feeling is hard to describe, but consisted mostly of contempt. The way they pushed each other about at the coach station was disgusting, I thought, and in great contrast to the help-thy-neighbor attitude of the blitzkrieged Londoners. The last straw as far as I was concerned was to see "MYSTERY TOUR STARTING AT 3:00 P.M.," etc., etc., advertised. It seemed criminal to waste the nation's petrol on mystery tours. But that is the way Northampton is carrying on anyway.<br /><br />So when my train drew in at Euston Station I felt a great relief. I thought, "Come what may; bombs, pain or worse; at least I am home again in the place I'd most rather be." You can keep your blooming old safety—it is all right for a weekend.<br /><br />I'll try and take a few snapshots this weekend. Cheerio and love, dears, Mill<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5432133643734415429.post-37780693817301757632023-08-22T10:20:28.554+01:002023-08-22T10:20:28.554+01:00Page 2
All this time heavy calibre bombs were rus...Page 2<br /><br />All this time heavy calibre bombs were rushing to earth, but honestly, there was so much to do that nobody even bothered to duck. People are pretty wonderful at times like this, Kath, and you should be very proud of your English blood. I could go on and on telling you of how perfectly ordinary people have put all fear behind them and work frantically to put out fires and rescue people amidst a hail of bombs and working in a hell that seems incredible! All this will be written into the history of England, but nobody who has not experienced these things can possibly conceive the depths of courage that lies in a person.<br /><br />I did wish most earnestly that Mum was out of London. She is very brave. I have tried to persuade her, but I know the thought makes her very unhappy. I understand that very easily though. All her roots are here, and it is not easy for elderly persons to transplant themselves. She would sooner be with us and share our experiences. There is a song we sing over here. It is "London I cannot leave you; London I cannot go." And it is true. Once a Londoner, always a Londoner. You cannot be torn away. People who have been bombed out two or three times and who have undergone the most harrowing experiences still remain. All the desolation around brings a lump to one's throat, but it also makes one blazingly angry. We are not going to suffer all this in vain.<br /><br />On this particular night, when the lull came, I ran over to Ethel's to see how they were. The ground was thick with masonry and objects that had been hurled through the air. It was 1:00 a.m. Win and Enid were in the shelter, but Ethel was sitting in Win's dining room. She greeted me with the words, "You look as though a good wash would do you good!" Dear Ethel! It's true I did look a sight. I hadn't thought of looking in a mirror. I was caked with dirt and mud. Of course, when the ceiling fell down I was made pretty filthy with water used for extinguishing the fire. My face was streaked with it. I was so tired I could hardly stand up, and told Ethel I would probably go to sleep. Ethel's flat was in a mess! Huge chunks of masonry, which had been hurled into the air by bombs, had fallen down at a terrific speed and smashed through the roofs and ceilings of three of her rooms. Only the kitchen remained intact. One couldn't see very much in the dark, except the sky shining through. The electric wiring had been torn down, of course, but we didn't shine a torch because it would have shone through the roof. However, Ethel was rather philosophical about the whole thing and remarked that at least she had been spared fire and water. Mrs. Smith's flat opposite was burnt out. I don't know how Win keeps her scullery door on. Another part of the wall fell in on this night. If they lose much more they won't have anything to hinge the door on. <br /><br />I am sorry to say that the Old Firm received its death blow during the proceedings. Of course, there is an enormous amount of salvage work to be carried out which will take some time.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5432133643734415429.post-33885311541325555442023-08-22T10:15:43.405+01:002023-08-22T10:15:43.405+01:00Page 1
[The following letter was written by Milli...Page 1<br /><br />[The following letter was written by Millicent Burn, later Tipping, to her sister in Burns, <br />Oregon, Millicent 'Millie' was An executive secretary for Convoys in London. Millie lived with her mother ("Mum"), father, and two of her brothers, Laurence ("Lol") and Will in 6 Windmill Lane, Deptford, London.]<br /><br />TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 1941 - 6 Windmill Lane, London, S.E.8<br /><br />Dearest Kath, Herb and Cherubs,<br /><br />We haven't received Edie's long-promised letter. Am almost sure that it has gone down on one of the mail boats. Mum has just asked me if I "fancy anything." I retorted, "Yes, an orange, lemon, banana and some chocolate!" Her only response was, "You can have them if you go out and buy them!" We haven't seen any for months! Onions, too, are things of the past. I have heard that it is possible to buy tomatoes at [an exorbitant price] a pound, but I haven't seen any. However, there is still plenty to eat.<br /><br />Saw Nell T. going to the park shelters the other night, complete with bedding and oil stove. She looked a proper refugee. I don't know how people can go down those mud holes night after night. I have never been down them, but I can guess the scene. Seeing people going down with their bundles and emerging the next morning, perhaps homeless, affects me more than anything else in this war. The future should hold something very lovely for such people to compensate them in part for the sordidness of their present existence. <br /><br />One night I shall never forget!! It was our worst experience ever. The raid started at [censored] and continued in concentrated intensity until [censored], when after a short lull "Jerry" dropped his final load and the "Raiders passed" signal went. Honestly, I didn't sit down once. From 9:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m., I was continually fire-fighting. Taking shelter was out of the question. They were dropping extremely heavy bombs—at the same time keeping up a constant stream of incendiaries. One had to be very quick to pounce on them, otherwise home and belongings would have gone up in smoke. It is amazing what one can do in such circumstances. When I think of myself vaulting walls and lugging pails of water about endlessly, I wonder where I got the strength to do it.<br /><br />Again the Burn's luck held. Our only loss through the night was window glass. I had to climb over the fence to get to a fire-bomb in Barnes'. Fortunately, it fell on the shed in the garden, so was easily tackled. Had a more exciting time with the one in Warne's though. It fell through the roof into the top front room, and was soon blazing terrifically. I yelled to some fellows who were running to the scene, and we quickly had the stirrup pump working. There was a constant stream of people dashing through No. 6 to get water for the pump. I was upstairs with one boy, when some others joined us. Actually, there were too many on the job, so I went downstairs and took my turn at the pump. And wasn't I glad I was wearing a steel helmet!!! Somebody had just relieved me at the pump, and I was standing with a pail of water ready for a quick change-over, when there was a roar and part of the ceiling fell on me—knocking my hat flying. Apart from being half choked with dust and grit in my eye, I was quite all right. What added to the excitement for me was that, in groping my way out to the fresh air, I put first one foot into a bath of water and with the next step the other foot into a pail of water. Anyway, I emerged very dirty but very triumphant, because we had succeeded in putting the fire out. What had actually happened was that when I was standing resting, I was right under the spot where the fire-bomb upstairs was burning through the floor. Silly things one does. I hadn't given it a thought!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5432133643734415429.post-29197042519053408312023-08-16T13:59:39.315+01:002023-08-16T13:59:39.315+01:00I lived in that Pub for a couple of Years in the m...I lived in that Pub for a couple of Years in the mid to late 1960's I was about 11 when we moved in and the staircase leading upto the living area was so dark and dingy and old. Mum sat on the stairs and cried her eyes out. Pauline was my mother Noel was my stepfather. Both have sadly passed 20 odd years for Dad, and over 10 for Mum, We sailed on the 10th Sept 1970 The weather gods send off was such that 50 years later it still brings a shiver to my spine.DavidHahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16647778739884057677noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5432133643734415429.post-26958035059252927792023-08-13T08:49:32.536+01:002023-08-13T08:49:32.536+01:00Does anyone have any info on the Wallage Family wh...Does anyone have any info on the Wallage Family who lived at 6 Bronze Street. My Nan was born there in 1908. Thanks.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5432133643734415429.post-91083136802079662872023-07-08T08:06:11.816+01:002023-07-08T08:06:11.816+01:00Hi does anyone know the dabin family my father was...Hi does anyone know the dabin family my father was paul charles dabin son of audrey gagliano Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5432133643734415429.post-65558560439912181092023-07-03T22:29:39.448+01:002023-07-03T22:29:39.448+01:00Did anyone know any of the Smith family living at ...Did anyone know any of the Smith family living at 27 Windmill Lane Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com