Tag Archives: Sibthorp Road

1952 : A Park in his Care

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From the Mitcham Advertiser, 2nd October, 1952, page 5.

A familiar figure in Mitcham is Mr George Finch, for 26 years in the employ of the the council and now gardener and charge-hand at Tamworth Farm recreation ground.

His first job with the council – there was no separate parks department in those days – was “mowing Figges Marsh.” After that he became a driver and remained at that job until about three years ago.

He joined the council in 1926, a week after his discharge from the Army.

Mr Finch, who comes from an old Mitcham family, was born in Phipps Bridge Road. As a youth of 17, he ran away from home to join the Army, but at the recruiting centre he was told he was under age. A few days later he went back to the recruiting officer and told him he was 18.

“Haven’t you been here before?” he was asked. “Never,” replied Mr Finch. He was accepted and served until 1926.

Mr Finch, who is 50, joined the council’s service a week after his discharge from the Army. He lives in Sibthorp Road.

Fountain Road

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Road that was demolished in mid 1970s to make way for the ‘Quadrant’ housing estate, Sadlers Close. It was off the Western Road and connected to the end of Sibthorp Road. At the corner of Fountain Road and Western Road was the Fountain pub.

Houses were numbered odd on the left side of the road, as seen from the Western Road end, and even on the right.

1953 OS map

clip from 1962 photo on Merton Memories, copyright London Borough of Merton. On the left is the Fountain pub on the corner with Western Road.

The road included Trotts Yard.

1910 OS Map

1910 OS Map

Occupants from street directories

1891

From Merton Lane to Sibthorpe Road

NORTH SIDE

Walter Lancaster, contractor
Mrs. C. Howe, wood dealer

SOUTH SIDE

Chas. Stevens, wardrobe dealer
Mrs. E. Ballard, shopkeeper

1915

From Western Road to Sibthorp Road

NORTH SIDE

23, Mrs. Mary Prestridge, shopkeeper

SOUTH SIDE

14, Mrs. A. Ellis, shopkeeper
36, James Elliott, marine store keeper
52, Mrs. Eliza Ballard, shopkeeper

1925

from Western Road to Sibthorpe Road

NORTH-WEST SIDE

9, Walter SMITH
11, John HOLMES
13, Walter HILLS
15, Harry COLE
17, Alfred LAVENDER
23, John BAXALL
25, William ELMER
27, James S BATES
29, Arthur WILDE
31, Mrs MOORE
33, William BAXALL
35, George Thomas YEATES
37, Mrs Anna SMITH
39, Alfred LAY
41, Frank CHAMBERS
43, George RUSSELL
45, William SALLIS
47, Mrs LAY
49, Mrs RICHINGS
51, Mrs HOLDFORD
53, Henry BLAKE
55, William BUTCHER

SOUTH-EAST SIDE

52, E. BALLARD, grocer
50, Mrs RONALD
48, Bert BALLARD
46, Robert William BALL
44, Harry GARDNER
42, Joseph GARDNER
40, David HUMMERSTONE
38, Edward GROOM
36, James ELLIOTT, marine store dealer
30, George Frederick SHEPHERD
28, William George SALLIS
26, Charles F. HUTTON
24, Henry FISHER
22, Mrs HILLS
20, William WILKES
18, George ELLIOTT
16, H.J. PARKER
14, Frederick MILES
12, Frank BROWN
12, James ELLIOTT
10, Josiah SMITH
8, Alfred FLETCHER
6, Mrs BARTLETT
4, Mrs WHEELER
2, Mrs KING

World War 1 Connections

Private Charles BONE
Driver William Thomas CHALLIS
Private David James ELLIOTT
Private John GARDNER
Lance Corporal Isaiah LEMON

World War 2 Connections
50 Fountain Road, J.W. ELLIOTT volunteered for the Home Guard, 29th December 1941

Street party in Fountain Road for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in June 1953. Photo kindly provided by Jason via the Mitcham History Facebook Group

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