From the Mitcham News & Mercury of 6th January 1933
It can be safely said of Mitcham, as of the majority of other places, that few regretted the passing of 1932, with its times of severe depression, but that everyone is looking forward confidence to enjoying better times in 1933. An important event early in the year was the decision of the Council for a petition for the incorporation of Mitcham as a borough. During the year Mitcham Common Conservators sanctioned public golf on the Common, and decided not to allow Sunday football. A new Rotary club for Mitcham was inaugurated in February, and in April Mr Joseph Owen gave £4,025, in addition to the site, for a public library. In November the new super-swimming baths were opened. The wedding of Mr Isaac Wilson, J.P., to Miss Elsie Evans, former matron of Wilson Hospital took place in October. The death-roll included Dr A.W. Harrison, Mrs S.J. Mount, the Rev. Alfred Grove, curate of the Parish Church, and Mrs Roberts, wife of the Rev. W.K.Roberts, vicar of St. Marks Church.
January
2 Frederick Thomas Mansfield (18) of Homewood Road, Mitcham, electrocuted at butcher’s shop in Church Road
12 Mitcham Council decide on petition for incorporation
15 Death of Mrs Florence Edith Trevelyan Juster, wife of Mr John Juster, undertaker, High Street, Colliers Wood, aged 59
18 Funeral of Mr Walker T. Davis, of Penge Road, South Norwood, an old-time Mitcham cricketer.
18 Death of Dr. Arthur William Harrison, of Park Road, Colliers Wood, aged 64
28 Mr and Mrs William White, of 144, High Street, Colliers Wood, golden wedding
February
7 Death of Mrs Mary Florence Downing, wife of Mr H. P. Burke Downing, a distinguished church organist of Colliers Wood
15 Death of Mrs Sarah Jane Mount, wife of Mr Harry Mount, J.P., of Church Road, Mitcham, aged 67
15 Inauguration of new Rotary Club for Mitcham
19 Death of Mr B C Moore (18) of Tynemouth Road, Mitcham, a promising footballer and cricketer
24 Death of the Rev. Alfred Grove, curate of the Mitcham Parish Church; aged 40
March
5 Funeral of Mr L. White, for 29 years chief sanitary inspector at Mitcham
29 Mitcham and Tooting Football Clubs amalgamate
April
15 Robbery of £660 from workmen’s hut at Figges Marsh
18 Death of Mr W R Boon, of Tamworth Park, aged 96
26 Mr Joseph Owen’s munificent gift of £4,025 towards Public Library, including site
26 Election of Mr W Carlton, J.P., chairman of Mitcham Council
May
3 Public golf course on Mitcham Common sanctioned by Conservators
June
1 Mitcham New Congregational Church in London Road, dedicated and opened
5 Mr Stanley G Barrows (31), an auxiliary fireman, found gassed at Edmund Road, Mitcham
6 Mr Ernest Burnell (52), of Prussia Place, Nursery Road, Mitcham, found hanging
18 Foundation stone laid of headquarters of 10th Mitcham (Christchurch) Scout Group, by Sir T. Cato Worsfold
22 Death of Mrs Jane Theresa Lewington, of the Catholic Presbytery, London Road
July
3 Mitcham Catholic’s procession
6 Record show at Mitcham Floral and Horticultural Society
13 Mrs Miriam Victoria Moore, aged 35, and her daughter, Denise Olive Moore, aged six, found gassed at Caesar’s Walk, Mitcham
18 New police boxes opened
26 Councillor S.L. Gaston created a Justice of the Peace
August
8 Mrs Sophie Garrett, aged 62, found murdered at Love Lane, Mitcham. Her husband, John William Garrett, aged 56, afterwards found guilty but insane
14 Marriage of two dwarfs at St Barnabas Church. Miss Dorothy Kathleen Griffiths, of Thirsk Road, Tooting Junction, 3ft. 10ins., and Vivian Pascoe, of Hammersmith, 4ft.
18 Mr and Mrs F. Jones, of Melrose Avenue, diamond wedding
18 Death of Mr George reynolds, an old showman at Mitcham Fair; aged 79
30 Destructive fire at Hill Farm, Bishopsford Road
September
18 Fire at Grosvenor Model Laundry, Colliers Wood, damage estimated at £1,200
October
4 Farewell and presentation to Mr F.C. Stone, head master of Lower Mitcham Boys’ School
November
2 No Sunday football on Mitcham Common decision by Conservators
12 Death of Mrs Roberts, wife of the Rev W. K. Roberts, vicar of St. Marks Church, Mitcham
28 Opening of Mitcham’s new super-swimming baths and dance hall
December
5 Mr and Mrs Isaac H. Wilson entertain Rotary Club of Mitcham
7 Opening of Shaftesbury Society’s meeting place in Gladstone Road, Mitcham
16 “Mercury’s” exclusive announcement of Mitcham’s first cinema, the Majestic
18 Mr and Mrs R. J. E. Wiss, of 89 Caithness Road, Mitcham, diamond wedding
22 Destructive fire at Bond Road, six cottages involved
23 Mr and Mrs A. E. Knight, of 339 Church Road, golden wedding
23 Mr Ronald Arthur Keeble (20), fell 80ft. to death from dome of Eyre Smelting Works, Colliers Wood
Mitcham History Notes 