Author Archives: Wade

Mitcham Golf Club pavilion fire in 1933

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Early 1900s colourised photo of the pavilion


Mitcham Advertiser – Thursday 21 December 1933

BURNT OUT.

MITCHAM GOLF CLUB PAVILION DESTROYED.

CARETAKERS’ NARROW ESCAPE.

Mitcham Common Public Golf Club’s famous pavilion near Mitcham Junction Railway Station was burnt to the ground just after daybreak on Saturday morning.

It was a large and picturesque building of many rooms, built in 1892, mainly of wood, and it blazed like an enormous torch, providing a thrilling and rather splendid spectacle for the hundreds of train passengers passing through Mitcham Junction to London.

Mr. T. W. Pinfold, the recently appointed caretaker and course instructor, and his wife, who lived on the premises, discovered the outbreak just in time and fled from the furnace in their nightclothes after rescuing their cat and dog.

A thick fog enveloped the Common at the time and the smoke was held in it as in a net. When the blaze was at its height the flames could scarcely be seen from Carshalton-road. Mitcham Junction platforms made excellent grandstands for the scores of people waiting for trains, and some of them became so absorbed in the scene that they missed their trains. Motorists hurrying to town spared a few minutes to watch the fire. They left their cars outside Mitcham Junction till the road became blocked to passing bus traffic. But only for a short time.

THE GAME AS USUAL.

Before nine o’clock a number of golfers arrived by train and car with their kits on their backs and were startled to find the pavilion a heap of smouldering ruins. They were not long dismayed. A few packets of tickets were found and handed out as usual from the box near the pavilion, and while spurts of flame continued to attract the attention of the firemen play began on the course.

BRIGADE’S HANDICAP.

Mitcham Fire Brigade was called by telephone at 7.18. The pavilion was blazing furiously when they arrived, for a considerable breeze fanned the flames. They were handicapped to some extent by an insufficient water supply. Lengths of hose were carried over the footbridge at Mitcham Junction from hydrants on the south side. There was little chance of saving the building. In little more than an hour nothing of it remained except the tall brick chimney shaft bearing the date of its erection in stone, a bit of brick wall here and there and a huddle of twisted iron.

DANGER TO MITCHAM JUNCTION.

Passengers in trains calling at Mitcham Junction felt the intense heat, especially those alongside the north platform, where the wood fence was scorched. The station is separated from the pavilion by only a few yards on the Croydon side and the telegraph poles in the narrow grass verge between the north platform and the rear of the pavilion containing the workshops were charred. Railway officials stood by guarding the property while danger remained, and Chief Officer Wells concentrated the efforts of the firemen on the protection of the station.

RECENT RENOVATIONS.

Recently the pavilion has been repainted and thoroughly overhauled, and a new heating apparatus was installed. It was decorated in readiness for the Christmas season and all the Christmas stock of refreshments had just been laid in. One of the sufferers was the new manageress who lost personal belongings. Another was Mr. R. H. Pratt, the elderly professional, whose large stock of golf requisites, tools and material in the workshops in the basement of the pavilion was totally destroyed. The club also lost a valuable stock of clubs and balls and property of individual members was destroyed, too

CARETAKERS’ ESCAPE.

Mr. and Mrs. Pinfold, who were appointed caretakers about five months ago, lost everything they possessed, including Mr. Pinfold’s valuable collection of Indian curios. And they were lucky to escape with their lives. For a time Mrs. Pinfold was sheltered in the station master’s house at Mitcham Junction.

Telling the story of their escape to the “Advertiser,” Mr. Pinfold, still in his pyjamas under a heavy coat, said he had just got up and was walking along a corridor when he saw smoke coming through a door. He hurried downstairs to see if the heating apparatus was all right and found smoke thick in the basement and a boxroom on fire.

“I ran at once to warn my wife,” he said, “and then tried to get at the telephone, but I was cut off by the flames. So I ran to the station and telephoned from there, but found that the fire brigade had already been called. When I got back Mrs. Pinfold, half dressed, was trying to round up the cat and dog. We managed to save them after some trouble. They were frenzied and the cat I had to drag from death by its tail.”

Mr. Pinfold came from India, where he had been soldiering for many years. He was greatly concerned at the loss of his native works of art, one of which was an inlaid ivory table.

With the recent reorganisation of the Golf Club and the restriction of the links to the south side of the common, the staff was almost entirely changed. One of the first persons on the scene was Mr. J. B. Wallace, the secretary of the club, who was appointed about six months ago in succession to Capt. Smith, a one time member of Mitcham Urban Council. He lives at Whitford Lodge, close to Mitcham Court, the home of Sir H. M. Mallaby-Deeley, Bart., president of the club, and chairman of the Trustees of Mitcham Golf Course. Many of his books and personal belongings were destroyed.

Sir Harry Mallaby-Deeley visited the ruins on Saturday. Several years ago he presented the course, pavilion and everything connected with Prince’s Golf Club. of which he had been chief proprietor for many years, and which was one of the most exclusive golf clubs in the country, to the public, and the new Mitcham Common Public Golf Club was opened by Mr. Ramsay MacDonald, the Prime Minister.

The fire appears to have started in the basement close to one of the new boilers. Most of the damage is covered by insurance.

Many books and papers, some of historical interest, were burnt. Firemen found a cash box containing a considerable sum of money in silver and copper, a good part of which was melted — eloquent testimony to the fierceness of the fire.

While crossing the smouldering ruins Second Officer A. Tilley was struck in the face by the contents of a canister that burst with the heat and he was blistered a good deal.

All day Sunday a stream of people from all parts of London visited the scene of the fire. More golfers than usual were on the course and a brisk trade in new clubs, bags and balls was done by Mr. Pratt, the professional, who had secured a large quantity for the purpose.

The clubhouse building was originally built for the Royal Naval Exhibition in 1891, which was in the grounds of the Royal Hospital in Chelsea.

Plan of the Naval Exhibition. The building marked ‘The George’, bottom right, was bought by R. Hippisley-Cox for the golf club after the exhibition.

The architect of the building, and all of the Naval Exhibition was Wilson Bennison.

Photo of architect Wilson Bennison from the Illustrated News 22nd June 1895, via the British Newspaper Archive.

The guide to the Naval Exhibition can be downloaded from Archive.org as a pdf.

Hannah Lack, draper

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Draper who, in 1910, was at no. 2 and 4 High street, Mitcham.

Mitcham Advertiser – Friday 16 December 1910

27th January 1911, Mitcham Advertiser

Mitcham Advertiser – Friday 07 July 1911

This shop was next to the King’s Arms pub, as shown in the 1912 street directory, which lists entries going south.

… here is Sibthorp Road
George Joseph DALE, newsagent
William BARTER, grocer
STANSFELD & Co. Ltd., brewers and wine merchants
Walter MARTIN, butcher
John CUMMINGS, greengrocer
Mrs H. LACK, draper
The King’s Arms P.H., H. & E.F. MOORE

See also the comments below by a descendant of the family and the entry on Wikipedia Lack Brothers

This postcard from the early 1900s shows shops with awnings, the nearest to the Kings Arms is likely to be the draper shop of Mrs Lack.

Postmarked 28th Feb 1907

Mitcham Advertiser – Friday 27 April 1917

A “SPECIAL’S” WEDDING. SERGT. C. LACK AND MISS E. M. RICHENS MARRIED.

Great interest was taken in the wedding at St. Mark’s Church, Mitcham, on Wednesday, of Mr. Charles Lack, younger son of – Mrs. H. Lack, High-street, and of the late Mr. G. A. Lack, and Miss Emily May Richens, elder daughter of Mrs. F. Richens, Newton House, and of the late Mr. John Richens of Tooley-street. The church was filled with spectators.

Mr. Lack was born in Mitcham, is one of the most successful business men in the town, and his social qualities have won him the esteem of all classes. For ten years he has been hon. treasurer of the Tooting, Balham, Merton, and Mitcham Horticultural Society; for 15 years he was a member of the choir of St. Mark’s, and he is now a sidesman; he is hon. secretary of the East Ward Naval and Military Pensions Committee; and since the war began he has been a zealous member of the Mitcham Special Constabulary, of which he is now a sergeant. On several occasions Mr. Lack has been pressed to try tor Municipal honours, but declined, The bride’s family have been domiciled in Mitcham for 30 years, and has always held a high position in the esteem of the inhabitants, and the bride herself has won the particular regard of the people of St. Mark’s, in which parish she has been a constant worker. She has also taken a great and active interest in the military hospital.

Among the congregation were Coun. E. J Mizen (People’s Warden), Coun, Ernest Mizen, Mr Taylor, a former Warden, Mrs. Edward and Mrs. Ernest Mizen, Miss E. Mizen, and Mrs. C. Rutter. Thirty members of the Special Constabulary in uniform formed a guard of honour, and in the church lined the central aisle on both sides. The sergeants present were Sergts, Dale, Cooper, Freeman, Rutter, Billington and McCaul. At the door was the veteran Special Constable Merrick, glowing with Army medals. The service was fully choral, and was conducted by the Rev. James Bevan, of All Saints’, Beddington Corner, a former curate of St. Mark’s, assisted by the Rev. W. K. Roberts, Vicar of St. Mark’s and the Rev. E. J. Baker, Vicar of St. Barnabas. The organist was Mr, J. Hopton. A brief address was delivered at the close of the service by the Rev. James Bevan, and the Rev, W. K. Roberts gave the benediction. Afterwards all joined in singing a verse of the National Anthem. The bride was escorted to the altar by Mr. Tom Richens, her eldest brother, and she was given away by her mother. She was beautifully attired in grey crepe de Chine, trimmed with amethyst bead em- broidery. She wore a grey silk hat, and carried a shower bouquet of liIies and orchids. Her going away dress was a Russian blue coat and skirt, with black and gold hat. There were no bridesmaids.

The Best man was Capt. S. James, King’s Royal Rifles, From the porch to St. Mark’s-road the “Specials” were drawn up in a double line, and when the bride and bridegroom appeared at the church steps they formed an arcade of their truncheons. The Culvers, Carshalton, was lent by Mr and Mrs George Mizen for the reception. Mrs. Richens acted as hostess to about fifty guests, Later in the afternoon Mr. and Mrs. Lack left for Cornwall. On returning to Mitcham they will reside at Home Close, St. Mark’s-road. One of the handsomest of the many beautiful wedding gifts was a canteen of cutlery from the Special Constabulary. From the Horticultural Society was received a beautiful silver rose bowl. Another gift of special interest was a handsome brass and copper paper stand presented by the lady assistants at the High-street establishment.

Note that Home Close, is number 26 St Marks Road, the current home of the Royal British Legion, on the corner with Chalkley Close.

Mitcham Advertiser – Thursday 29 July 1926

DEATH OF MRS. HANNAH LACK.
In Business in Mitcham Fifty Years.

A link with the old village of Mitcham was severed this week by the death of Mrs. Hannah Lack, who was in business as a draper in London-road for fifty years.

She passed away in her 82nd year on Thursday, July 22nd, at The Culvers, Carshalton, the residence of her son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. George Mizen.

No Mitcham resident was held in greater esteem than Mrs. Lack. She came to the village, as it then was, 67 years ago and lived in the same house and conducted the same business in the High-street section of London-road, near the Fair Green, until she retired during the war. She was the widow of Mr. George Albert Lack, who died in 1878.

Mrs. Lack was a fine business woman and during her regime the shop flourished exceedingly. In later years she was assisted by her son, Mr. Charles Lack, who took over the business entirely when his mother retired. To the great regret of all the older residents the business ceased to be a few months ago.

THE FUNERAL.

The funeral took place on Tuesday afternoon at Mitcham churchyard. The Rev. W. K. Roberts, Vicar of St. Mark’s, conducted the service. There was a large attendance of the older residents and tradespeople.

The chief mourners were Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Lack (son and daughter-in-law), Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lack, Home Close, Mitcham (son and daughter-in-law), Mr. and Mrs. George Mizen, The Culvers, Carshalton (son-in-law and daughter), Douglas Lack and Lewis Mizen (grandsons), Mr. W. T. Lack and Mr. Percy Martin (nephews), Mr. Stanley Lack and Mr. Charles Lack (great nephews).

Others present at the church and at the graveside were Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Schneider, Mrs. Avery, Mrs. Heasman, Miss Howell, Mr. Ernest Ghinn, Mr. Ernest Ghinn, jun., Mr. Percy Ghinn, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Tibbitts, Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Mizen, Mr. W. Barton, Mr. H. H. Dance and Mr. J. Cummings.

The exceptional number of floral tributes included wreaths from Mr. and Mrs. George Mizen, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lack, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Lack and family, Lewis, Hubert and Howard (grandchildren), Will, Edie and family, Agnes and family, Mona and Charles Lack, Stanley and Cousie, Miss F. Bowhill and Miss G. Chippendale, Mr. and Mrs. Warr, Beatrice and Bertha, Mrs. Sweet and family, Lil and Harry, Gladys and Fred, Mr. and Mrs. Woonton, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Tibbitts, Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Millen, Auntie Byford, Mrs. and Miss Dale, Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Miller, Mrs. George Miller, sen., Mrs. Hicks and family, Rosie, Fanny, Stanley and Cissie, Edie and Fred, Mary Howell, Mr. and Mrs. George Lack.