Tag Archives: London Road

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.

Cameo Cafe

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Cafe/restaurant that was at 8 Upper Green East until 1940, then at 197 London Road.

1937 ad

In September 1940 the cafe was badly damaged from the bomb that destroyed the Mitcham Methodist Church. It was reopened at 197 London Road. Mrs Isobel POPAY ran the cafe from 1934 to 1942, when she died, aged 62. Source: Norwood News – Friday 22 May 1942, page 8.

This 1953 photo shows Mitcham Baths on right and further along, on the same side of the London Road, the block numbered 195 to 201. A ‘restaurant’ sign can be seen on the second from the far end property, this is number 197. This clip is from a Merton Memories photo, reference Mit_​Streets_​Lon_​38-47

An ad for an assistant cook in Norwood News – Friday 03 March 1961 showed its phone number was MIT 3359. The 1954 telephone directory shows it at 197 London Road. From around the mid-1980s to 2012 this shop was Ossie’s Taverna.

In a news item from the Norwood News – Friday 15 January 1932, the proprietor of the cafe was Mr Norton. The item was about an argument at a wedding reception that led to an assault, and went to court. From a comment on the Facebook Mitcham History Group, there was a function room upstairs that was used for wedding receptions etc.

1953 OS map showing the London Road. On the left hand side of the road is no. 224 ‘Day Nursery’, which is Eagle House. The block of 4 shops/flats north of the Public Baths shows No. 197 at the second from the far end. The entrance to the Baptist Church was built on in 1962/3.

An advert in the  Norwood News – Friday 19 February 1932 for a piano gives the address of the cafe as number 8 Upper Green East.

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