Category Archives: Wars

Private Henry Edgar Hawkins

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From the Mitcham News & Mercury, 24th November, 1944, page 1.

Two Weeks in Action

Two weeks after leaving this country for service in Europe, Pte. Henry Edgar Hawkins has been killed in action in Holland at the age of eighteen. He was the fourth son of Mr. and Mrs. C. Hawkins, Collingwood-road, Church-road, Mitcham, who have three other sons serving and two younger ones still at home. Pte. Augustus Hawkins is serving in Holland, Leslie is in India, and Jimmy is with the Navy.

Pte. Hawkins was born in Mitcham and was an old boy of Western-road School, and was once a cadet with the East Surreys. He was a keen footballer and last played with his old team while on embarkation leave. He joined the Army in April.

From the Commonwealth War Grave Commission

Private
HAWKINS, HENRY EDGAR

Service Number 14736191

Died 25/10/1944

Aged 18

1/5th Bn.
Welch Regiment

Son of Charles Victor and Elizabeth Mary Hawkins, of Mitcham, Surrey.

INSCRIPTION

IN LOVING MEMORY OF OUR DEAR EDGAR: EVER IN THE THOUGHTS OF ALL WHO LOVED HIM

Sapper Harold H. Taylor

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From the Mitcham News & Mercury, 29th September, 1944

Sapper Killed in France

Mitcham Newsagent for Fourteen Years

Sapper Harold H. Taylor (aged 41), of the Royal Engineers, who for fourteen years was a newsagent in London-road, Mitcham, was killed in action in France on September 10. His wife, who is living in Graham-road, received a letter from her husband written two days before his death.

Sapper Tayor joined the Army two years ago, and went to France about ten days after D-Day. He brought his family from Woodford to Mitcham fourteen years ago. There are four children.

His will gives his residence as 103 London Road, presumably above the newsagents shop.

Harold Henry TAYLOR of 103 London-road Mitcham Surrey died 10 September 1944 on war service. Administration Llandudno 30 January to Violet Grace May Taylor widow. Effects £173 16s. 9d.

Source: Ancestry.com. England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995

The 1939 Register shows four occupants at this address:
Harold H. Taylor, born 4th April 1903, newsagent shop keeper
Violet G.M. Taylor, born 29th May, 1903, housewife (surname changed to Spall 13th September 1948)
Violet G. Taylor, born 3rd April 1927, at school
Henry P. Taylor, born 8th April 1937, under school age

1953 OS map

1973 Image courtesy of Collage – The London Picture Library

This clip from 1973 shows the newsagents at 103 on the left, the bicycle shop is no. 105, and the pub on the right, the Gardeners Arms, is no. 107.

It was a newsagent until possibly the 1980s. In 2019 the building still exists, but is part of the solicitors Pruveneers LLP, at 103-105 London Road.

From the Commonwealth War Grave Commission

Sapper
TAYLOR, HAROLD HENRY

Service Number 14243886

Died 10/09/1944

Aged 41

Royal Engineers

Son of Henry Thomas Taylor and Mary Jane Taylor; husband of Violet Grace May Taylor, of Forest Gate, Essex.

Maps are reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland.