Category Archives: Wars

Home Guard Photos to Identify Part 1

There are some group photos on Merton Memories of the Mitcham Home Guard during WW2. Most of the men are not named. Individual photos are shown below. If you can identify someone, please leave a comment with the number that is shown under the photo.

 

Photo Reference Mit_War_6.4

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02 Identified as Cyril KEATING. He was born in 1900 and ran away to join the Navy in the 1914-18 war.

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19 Identified as George William CEILEY. Fought in the First World War, was prisoner of war for the last six months 1918. Awarded the silver oak leaf. His son was also in the Home Guard but volunteered for the Navy on his 18th birthday in September 1942 just before this picture was taken.

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53 Identified as Fred WILKINSON

Methodist Church Upper Green East

The Methodist church at Upper Green East (south side), was destroyed by bombing in September 1940. It was not rebuilt.

1933 OS map shows the Methodist Church

A British Pathe newsreel, without commentary, is believed to show the bomb damage to the church. Shops and buildings across the road can be seen damaged by the blast as well.

1954 OS map shows the vacant plot where the church once was. It was later developed as Langdale Parade

The church was rebuilt on Cricket Green.