Tag Archives: Isaac Wilson

Events of 1932

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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

Sydney Gaston

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Sydney Leonard Gaston was mayor of Mitcham in 1937. From 1934 to his death in 1945 he was president and chairman of the Mitcham Cricket Club. He also was chairman of the Mitcham Common Conservators from

Born 1882, died 18th March 1945. His wife, Constance Edith Gaston, died 22nd September, 1958, aged 74.

His son John Sydney Gaston, died 30th July 1943, aged 21. He was a pilot with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 102 Squadron. He is buried in Hamburg cemetery in Germany. Source: Commonwealth War Grave Commission.

Grave stone in London Road Cemetery. The inscription for John Sydney Gaston should read “BY GOD’S GRACE WE SHALL MEET AGAIN”Photo taken 4th May 2016.

See also the Find a Grave website for more about his son.

In 1920 he was the first editor of the by the North Mitcham Improvement Association magazine The Sentinel. The May 1949 issue said about him that

He was a man of letters, a musician, an elecutionist and amateur actor, a gardener and a cook. His speciality as a cook was making cakes. He was a wise councillor and an orator. He became chairman of the U.D.C. and Mayor of the Borough, a County Councillor and Chairman of the Bench of Magistrates. No one went to 61 Melrose Avenue or, later 2 Garden Avenue for advice, on any subject under the sun, without being helped and impressed by his knowledge. Truly a guide, counsellor and friend.

To buy number 2 Garden Avenue, he borrowed £600 from the Mitcham Urban District Council in 1924 which provide loans under the Small Dwellings Acquisition Act, 1899. R.M. Chart had valued the property at £810. Source: page 705, Volume IX, UDC Minutes, Finance and General Purposes Committee, 15th April, 1924.

Sydney Gaston became chairman of the Mitcham Magistrates in 1939 when Sir Isaac Wilson resigned from the position. Source : Croydon Advertiser and East Surrey Reporter – Friday 27 October 1939

SIR ISAAC WILSON RESIGNS CHAIRMANSHIP OF MITCHAM MAGISTRATES

Ald. Gaston The New Chairman

Sir Isaac H, Wilson, of The Birches, Mitcham Green, has retired from the position of chairman of the Mitcham magistrates, which he has held for several years.

The announcement was made by Alderman A. Mizen, the senior magistrate, at the opening of the Court in Mitcham Town Hall on Monday morning. The other magistrates present were Alderman S. L. Gaston, who has been chosen by his fellow magistrates to succeed Sir Isaac, Alderman J. Fitch, Mr. Harry Mount and Mrs. Ransom. Alderman Mizen said Sir Isaac resigned the chairmanship and also the deputy chairmanship at Croydon, at a meeting of the Bench on Friday. Alderman Gaston had been appointed to succeed him in both positions.

I congratulate my colleague on the honour that has come to him.” the alderman added. and we all feel sure that the business of the court will be conducted faithfully and well, as in the past, under his chairmanship.”

Mr. Ingle, Deputy Clerk, associated Mr. N. C. Gillett. the Clerk, and himself with what Alderman Mizen had said. While they regretted the loss of Sir Isaac Wilson they welcomed Alderman Gaston. Both had been members of the Bench for many years.

Mr. J. S. Stevens spoke similarly for the legal profession.

Alderman Gaston said they all regretted that Sir Isaac Wilson had found it necessary, through the passing of time, to give way to a younger man. His shoes would be difficult to fill, but he (Alderman Gaston) would do his best.

Alderman Gaston then took the chair, Sir Isaac Wilson, who was not present, has not resigned his position as a magistrate. He is over seventy years of age.

Merton Memories Photos

1937
1938 crowning the May Queen
1938 presenting medal to fireman
1939 with wife

The Sentinel magazines by the North Mitcham Improvement Association are available on request from the Merton Heritage and Local Studies Centre at Morden Library.