I wonder if I'm the only one old enough to remember Windmill Lane, and in particular the building shown in my attachment. I recently purchased a photograph taken shortly after a
bomb destroyed the Chichester pub which was on the corner of Windmill Lane and Evelyn St. 1943. It revived the curiosity I always felt when I passed this building 80 years ago.
It looks similar to the houses next door, but had an industrial gate on the ground floor, and no windows.....just an open space above the door.
The house next door is I believe No. 2, and I know who occupied it between 1930 and 1940. An old map from c.1900 suggests that there may have been a way to access the school from W.L. at this point. I have looked in several Directories going back to 1880 but can find no reference to a business at this location. My only guess is that it could have been a house, later converted to a loading bay for horse-drawn carts. Anybody know?
Ron King
20 comments:
my grandparents (Cyril and Rose Burrows ) lived on the corner a few houses down. Their back garden was bordered by the school boundary wall. Maybe the industrial gate was a side entrance to the school Who knows. Its all gone now.
Looking at photos of old Deptford on google,i was inturigued by a picture of a bombed shop in Windmill Lane. I couldnt work out its location and was beginning to think it may have been a mistake when, on enlarging the frame, in the distance the Windmill Lane Level Crossing can be seen and beyond, the gates of the Victualling yard. The shop must have traded by the Surrey Canal next to the steps of the Surrey Canal Footbridges and after (or during) the war the site became the factory of Mussellwhites who made distemper (a type of emulsion paint) my mother worked there after the war part time. The row of 4 terrace houses by the shop survived the war and a terraced row almost exactly opposite also survived. My family moved into an upstairs flat in the middle house no 61 in 1948/49. Apart from Jones's Corner Shop in South Street, all of the buildings in the photograph on both sides of Windmill Lane up to the yard were destroyed including Swarves of Grove Street including The Britania opposite Dudmans Dock and the Evelyn Arms opposite the Victualling Gates.
Hello Anonymous (Sep 2018 21:19) I was intrigued by your post mostly because I lived in No 61 Windmill Lane upper flat, until 1940. I have not seen the picture you describe,and would be grateful if you can tell me where I can find it. I have been looking for any pic of that part of WL without success. I can tell you that Musselwhites were at that address before the war certainly in 1930. If they were not there in 1940, I wouldn't be here to tell the tale! My grandmothers sister was living in No 61 in 1948/9 Her name was Alice Webb, maybe you knew her. Like to hear from you.
Ron King (mail)
Hello Ron King im Alan Parish ( anonymous) I was really pleased and surprised on reading your post to find someone who actually lived at the same address number 61. Do you remember the shop that I believed was by the steps of the foot bridge crossing the Surrey Canal during the war? If it wasnt there , ive got it completely wrong. Musselwhites also had a factory/yard behind our row of houses, the entrance was in Sayes Street. It must have been about 49/50 when we moved into number 61 ( I was about 1 years old) and Alice and her mother Mrs Webb had the ground floor flat. We shared the house (and outside toilet) till we were all relocated mid 1963 to make way for the Pepys Estate. Alice and Mrs Webb had relatives in the ground floor flat next door. I cant recall first names but for as long as I knew them Mr Webb owned a motor bike and side car. No one else on our side of the Surrey Canal in Windmill Lane owned a vehicle of any kind. Mrs Jones who ran the corner shop cross Sayes Street had a car but she didnt live there. The photo of the bombed building is on google search engine (Windmill Lane Deptford). It is covered by yellow spots to stop piracy I suppose I have tried fo purchase the picture but got worried about security etc. There is a terriffic aerial photo of the railway wharf and if enlarged you can make out number 61 and the nissen huts that replaced the bombed houses on our side of Windmill Lane. These temporary had electricity and bathrooms and were surprisingly comfortable. We still had gas light, outside toilets and tin baths hanging from the back yard fence. They were eventualy relocated leaving vast areas of bomb sites for us kids to play on and it was some years later that we were moved out. Hope to hear from you again. Alan.
Hello Alan, Thanks for your reply. I have the photo of the bombed shop,and can tell you exactly where it was. If you would like to send an email to ronaykay2@gmail.com I can send you a map, with its position marked. I also have a pic of a train at the level crossing in WL I'd be happy to share. Regards.....Ron
Hello all, I think I came across Ron in another Forum but my dad and grandparents lived in No 2 Windmill Lane in late 20's until it was hit. Dad passed a couple of years back and he didn't talk much of that time other than they had been bombed out three times in total and after the third found is mum and aunt under a tub in a stair closet, all safe. Dad did tell me that they lived with another family in No 2, and husband collected coins. I believe he died in the 40's and his coin collection was left to dad. My brother and I still have them. It is interesting to know where number 2 was.
Cheers Richard Linden.
Hello All, I think I came across Ron in another forum. My dad and his parents lived in No 2 Windmill Lane from the late 20's to when it was hit. Dad didn't say a lot about that time. There is one story of the third time it was hit ad they found gran and her sister under a tub and staircase. They also had a another couple with them. The gentleman collected coins and when he passed suddenly in the late 30's or so the collection was left to my dad, which we still have. Often wondered where No 2 was. Dad did say that Windmill Lane was one of the first places hit when the Blitz started. Thanks Richard Linden
Hi Ron. Interesting to learn that No 2 is in this photo. In coming across this page wondering if it was my dad and grandparents that you know of in 2 or the other couple my dad said lived with them. He died suddenly in late 30s or before the blitz. He left my dad his coin collection which we still have. Trust hope your doing well. Richard Linden.
Hi Everyone, This is great to read peoples memories, but please could I direct my comment to Richard Linden - my grandfather (Alf Barnes) also lived at number 2 in 1924 with his parents (this was his address on his wedding certificate, and I think it's possible that my Dad and yours were cousins - did your grandparents have a connection to Hayling Island at all??
Hi everyone. My Great Grandmother lived in Windmill Lane for a few years, number 39.Her father, John Fleming, was a barge builder in 1901.
Hi Ron, My mum and nan lived at 61 windmill la. They were both named Alice Webb. They moved from WL to Trinity estate, which is where I was born.so I'd guess we are distant relatives.
Martin
Hi Alan, Mr Webb was my uncle, his first name was Alf and he owned a motorcycle and sidecar.
Him and my aunt and their two daughters moved from WL to Chiltern grove.
Martin
Hi Martin,I remember you well as a small boy.I think Alan will know , your Gran was my Gran's sister. Ron
Hi Ron, this is great. I've been trying to contact you on e-mail fo a couple of years and l was worried. Just by accident l came back to this and saw you and Martins correspondence. I hope you are well.
Hi Martin, thanks for your lmfo about your uncle Alfie Webb. There was a tall telegraph pole outside his house and a cat got stuck on top.Alf went up like a rocket, he didnt need a ladder. I lived with my family next door at no 61 in the flat above your nan and mum.l remember your mum was pregnant butldon't remember seeing her, perhaps she was in hospital and it was at that time we moved out to Downham Catford. Take care Alan
My mums family heard lived at number 62 in 1937
Ron. I am looking into the Shaw Family I think William Henry Shaw lived at number 2 in 1890's and I know his Son James Thomas Shaw lived at Number 7 1901 and his daughter Minna Shaw (Phillips) lived there till 1962. When the pub was hit half the roof landed in number 7 garden, I am old enough to remember visiting aunt Min (my paternal grandmother late 1950 early 60s. anyone remember the Greengrosers with the miner bird.
Hi Ron, My grandparents lived at number 7 Minna and George Phillips Before that Number 7 was occupied be James Thomas Shaw my great great grandfather I would love a photo if anyone has one.
Hi Samantha. Is your dad Leslie Barnes?
Hi Samantha. Is Leslie your dad or uncle. My grandmother is still in Hayling Island. You can email me at rclu@shaw.ca. Would love to connect.
Post a Comment