Laundry on Streatham Road, north of corner with Graham Avenue.
1911 OS Map
Listed in the 1911 commercial directory as:
S. L. Munday & Son, laundry, The Cottage laundry, Streatham road, Upper Mitcham
The size of the business can be seen when Mrs S.L. Munday goes to the Mitcham Military Service Tribunal as reported on 22nd February, 1918
Mrs. S. L. Munday, a widow, carrying on a laundry business, asked for exemption of her son, her manager. Owing to her age, it was impossible for her to carry on. She employed one hundred women, and had between three and four hundred customers. Her son’s health was not good. She had released eight men for military service, and had only appealed for this one. He was passed C8.
The Chairman: The position is exactly the same as last ?
—Yes.Conditional exemption was granted.
The 1915 electoral register lists Selina Louisa MUNDAY living at Russelton, Graham Avenue.
Maps are reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland.
I can remember seeing horses and ponies being schooled in the small field at the rear of the laundry. There was a small stable block, also. This was in the early 50’s. I could see all this from my Grandad’s house, upper floor, in Graham Avenue. My parents purchased the property in the late 50’s. My sister and I lived there with my parents in the 60’s and 70’s.Sleepezee built a bedding factory on the site and my mother was a P.A.there to the CEO.I inherited the property some 20 years ago.What a change. The house has been in continuous ownership by my family from day one.However, my Grandfather used to tell the tale that he bought it from a friend who could not afford the mortgage. I do know it was built prior to 1934 and my Grandparents moved there before the war .Enquiries are ongoing………….
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Hello ,
My parents (Ewen & Thelma Hentall) worked as Mamager/Manageress of the Cottage Laundry in the 40’s/50’s. They lived in the attached living accomodation for a time , but in the early 50’s moved to 1, Graham Avenue, where they lived until 1958/9 .. unsure of this date…when they moved on to Croydon.
As a young child I remember the Coal Yard at the rear of the laundry, and what was known as ‘The Boiler House’.which was very frightening to me.
The Laundry was owned by the Parkers.
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