Tag Archives: T. Francis

1940 to 1945 news items

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Friday 26 July 1940

Streatham News

Cinema failed owing to war
The paper says a cinema failed because of the black-out and evacuation at Streatham.

Obstinate man broke into shop
A man who broke into a shop is reported on the same page. The rest of the story is not readable.

Only son of a rabbi
Misheon—Hydleman fund
The page carries the only son of a rabbi, with a fund figure printed as £379.

Clapham conjurer does his tricks
A short item is headed on a Clapham conjurer.

Neck burned when hair was waved
Another short report concerns a neck burned during a hair wave.

Petty pilfering
Motor driver remanded
A motor driver was remanded on a petty pilfering charge. De Laune cyclists are mentioned as catering for juniors.

Friday 20 September 1940

Streatham News

Comforts fund is still busy
And your gifts will be welcome
The comforts fund appeal says gifts are still welcome.

Bombs drop during rush hour
Presence of mind of city workers
The paper reports bombs falling in the rush hour, and the presence of mind of City workers.

Dog fight overhead
Hit by shrapnel
A dogfight overhead is reported, with a victim hit by shrapnel. A grammar-school note also refers to a member of the Streatham battalion hit by shrapnel.

A call to South London!
Turn terrorism into triumph
A leader calls on South London to turn terrorism into triumph.

Man for trial on Lloyds Bank looting charge
Alleged theft of Masonic swords
A man is for trial on a Lloyds Bank looting charge, alleged to concern Masonic swords.

Keep football going
An invitation to team secretaries
Team secretaries are invited to keep football going.

Grown in back gardens
Show of produce at South Lambeth
A produce show of food grown in back gardens is reported at South Lambeth.

Stabbed wife with dagger
A report says a wife was stabbed with a dagger.

Found mother
Woman’s collapse on leaving shelter
A woman collapsed on leaving a shelter after finding her mother.

Looting from a shop
Auxiliary firemen fined
Auxiliary firemen were fined for looting from a shop.

Lay reader marries Brown Owl
A lay reader’s marriage to a Brown Owl is reported.

Married for 64 years
A Clapham couple are reported as married for 64 years.

Young soldier killed
A young soldier is reported killed.

Thrilling stories of escapes
In South London districts Wednesday night
The paper carries stories of escapes in South London districts on Wednesday night.

Saturday 21 September 1940

Daily Express

A man the world is talking about
Robert Davies, time-bomb killer
The Express describes Lieut. Robert Davies and the Royal Engineers dealing with a German time-bomb. The paper says the bomb, removed from the grounds of the German Hospital, had threatened to bring St Paul’s down.

“Officer fired at me”
Woman tells court-martial
Queenie Alexandra Simpson, of Penzance, told a court-martial that Second Lieutenant Henry Kennedy, of the King’s Own Scottish Borderers, terrorised her with a revolver and fired as she escaped. He was found not guilty on two charges of shooting with intent to do bodily harm.

Two D.F.C. brothers killed
An Air Ministry list reports two D.F.C. brothers killed, each said to have shot down six Nazi planes. They are named as Pilot Officer Charles and Pilot Officer Patrick D. Woods-Scawen, educated at Farnborough.

R.A.F. fighters stop Nazi swarm
A further report says R.A.F. fighters stopped a Nazi swarm.

Friday 27 September 1940

Daily Express

R.A.F. cameras beat Nazi “season ticket” guns
Frank Butler, writing from Dover, says new long-range German guns on the French coast had been firing across the Channel. Four shells fell in the Dover area one afternoon, killing two and injuring sixteen. R.A.F. photographs showed guns massed between Calais and Boulogne and moved about to confuse spotting aircraft.

Woolton appoints two milk dictators
Mr Foster and Mr Baxter
Lord Woolton signed an order making the Milk Marketing Board controller of Britain’s milk supplies from the Monday, the paper naming Mr Foster and Mr Thomas Baxter.

We’ll do it again
Air Marshal Billy Bishop, V.C., is quoted saying that twenty-two years earlier they drove the enemy from the skies of Europe, and that they would do it again.

Girl strangled by silk stocking
Man on murder charge
A man is reported charged at Plymouth with murder by strangulation with a stocking.

Guernsey under German rule
Seven men and a boy who escaped to England in a 20-foot motor-boat described Guernsey under occupation, including work paid by the state.

Streatham News

Shelters, health and transport
Important points raised by Streatham M.P.
Streatham’s M.P. raised shelters, health and transport. The paper says one of his ideas had been announced as government policy.

Church saved from fire bomb
Thrown from porch by passer-by
A fire bomb at a church was thrown from the porch by a passer-by. Wardens are praised for their work.

Six people saved by police and wardens
Police and wardens are credited with saving six people.

To look after the bombed families of local soldiers
A comforts-fund appeal asks for help for the bombed families of local soldiers.

Streatham shopping
The Streatham and District Chamber of Commerce asks members to keep ordinary hours, and suggests a lookout arrangement with neighbouring traders so that shoppers still have protection during alerts.

Four killed
A report is headed that four people were killed. Names printed nearby include Mrs Irene Godfrey and Mr W. A. Newberry, but the scan does not make the link certain.

Friday 25 October 1940

Streatham News

Mr H. S. Kingdon
Years with the Boys’ Brigade
Mr H. S. Kingdon’s long service with the Boys’ Brigade is reported, including his part in planning the new Streatham Hill development.

Pilot officer killed
Few days after he returned to duty
A pilot officer is reported killed a few days after returning to duty.

Long service of Mr J. A. Godfrey
The long service of Mr J. A. Godfrey is noted on the same page.

Peter P. Glenny killed as the result of an accident
Peter P. Glenny is reported killed as the result of an accident.

Five members of one family killed in air raid
Five members of one family are reported killed in an air raid.

A little mother
One killed last week in bombed house
A child is described as a little mother to one killed the previous week in a bombed house.

Air-raid repairs worker sentenced
An air-raid repairs worker was sentenced in a stealing case.

Friday 15 November 1940

Streatham News

Impressive scenes at A.F.S. funeral
Nine men and a woman who died while serving
The paper describes the funeral of nine men and a woman of the Auxiliary Fire Service who died while serving.

Tragic death
Medical officer of health at Mitcham
A death report names the medical officer of health at Mitcham. The body of the story is only partly legible.

Haldane shelters needed
To be considered by the council
Haldane shelters are said to be needed and to be going before the council.

A musician’s tribute
Henry F. Hall
A musician’s tribute concerns Henry F. Hall.

Councillor for 24 years
Twenty-four years of public service by a councillor are noted.

Blast wrecks three houses
Blast is reported to have wrecked three houses.

Friday 29 November 1940

Streatham News

Home Guards as pall bearers
Military funeral of Mr C. S. Oxenburgh
Home Guards acted as pall bearers at the military funeral of Mr C. S. Oxenburgh, a founder member of a Balham club.

The last straw
Tragedy of P. W. Lester
A tragedy concerning P. W. Lester is headed “The last straw.”

Rotarians are well ahead
Welfare work for the troops
Rotarians are reported well ahead with welfare work for the troops.

Mrs Ball came to Balham nearly 40 years ago
Mrs Ball, who came to Balham nearly forty years earlier, is the subject of a short memoir. The same column says she was fined after offering to make restitution.

Mr A. J. Hopper takes on full-time duties
Mr A. J. Hopper is reported to have taken on full-time duties.

Friday 13 June 1941

Streatham News

The first electric tram car
Reminiscence of an experiment at Thornton Heath
A reminiscence recalls an experiment with the first electric tram car at Thornton Heath.

Sergt. R. W. Yarwood killed over Germany
Sergt. R. W. Yarwood, described as secretary of a rhythm club, is reported killed over Germany.

Mr G. M. Bennett and Miss N. A. Abbott
A notice names Mr G. M. Bennett and Miss N. A. Abbott.

Theft from the church
Trusted employee
A theft, the headline says from a saint’s church whose name is cut off, involved a trusted employee.

Saturday 5 July 1941

Mitcham and Colliers Wood Gazette

Tooting Parish Church garden party
Opened by the Mayoress
The Mayor of Wandsworth, Councillor Wm. C. Bonney, and the Mayoress attended a sale of work and garden party in the Rectory gardens. The rector, the Rev. R. R. Neill, said that the year before they had wondered whether to hold it because of alerts. The Mayor told the crowd, “We keep smiling in Tooting.”

The Morden Hall Estate
Park of 105 acres for the public
Mitcham Borough Council and Merton and Morden Council agreed to back the National Trust in keeping Morden Hall Estate open. The late Mr Gilliat E. Hatfeild’s executors had offered the park, mansion, cottages and adjoining land, about 105 acres, 50 in Merton and Morden and 55 in Mitcham. A draft budget showed a probable deficit of £175 a year, which the councils were asked to share if the park stayed free to the public.

New Mitcham councillor
Mr S. E. Birch
Mr S. E. Birch, butcher, of London Road, Mitcham, was appointed a councillor to fill the vacancy caused by the election of Councillor East as an alderman. Alderman Dalton said the Longthornton ward ratepayers’ committee had agreed unanimously.

Indoor shelters
London Civil Defence Region told local authorities not to refuse an indoor shelter because a household had more people than the shelter could hold.

Stole while fire-watching
Youth fined
Terence Edward Breen, a binder of Ettringham Street, Wandsworth, was charged at Western Police Court with stealing stationery worth 10s. from his employers while fire-watching. A second youth, James Tranckle of Trevelyan Road, was also before the court.

“I bought it from my father-in-law”
A short court item is headed with that claim. The rest of the charge is cut off on the scan.

Friday 18 July 1941

Streatham News

Work for the W.V.S. after the war
“Valuable organisation which must be used”
A report argues that the W.V.S. should still be used after the war.

Merry mood at the comforts fund
Try to improve on the year’s total
The comforts fund is urged to beat the previous year’s total.

Street shelters are a danger
Coroner’s comment at inquest on boy cyclist
At an inquest on a boy cyclist the coroner called street shelters a danger.

Bigamist goes back to wife
A magistrate’s comment accompanies a report that a bigamist went back to his wife.

Bought himself drinks with the firm’s money
A man is reported to have bought himself drinks with his firm’s money.

A.T.C. beat A.B.S.
Mitcham successful at Rowan Road
Mitcham A.T.C. beat A.B.S. at Rowan Road.

Friday 1 September 1944

Mitcham News & Mercury

Missing airman rescued
In hospital in Normandy
Comes to England by air ambulance
Sergt.-Navigator Peter Heal, of 65 Greenwood Road, Mitcham, reported missing on D-Day, was alive in hospital in England. His aircraft was shot down over northern France on his first operation; American troops found him when they took the hospital on 4 August, and he was flown home by air ambulance. His father, Mr J. C. Heal, wrote to the officer commanding 1807 Squadron A.T.C.

Lost hand in saving his friend
Mitcham man’s gallantry
Immediate award of the M.M.
Pte Roy Coates, Rifle Brigade, eldest son of Mr and Mrs S. Coates of Poplar Avenue, Mitcham, carried a wounded friend back under fire on an Italian battlefield and lost his left hand. He was recommended for the immediate award of the Military Medal.

Bdr. Hawkins won’t care if it rains
Few words over a few pears
News of Bombardier I. C. V. Hawkins, of Prashaw Crescent, Lower Green West, after four years with the R.A.F. in the Middle East, sits beside a South-Western court case in which Francis Walter Bennett admitted taking pears worth 1s. 6d. from a branch overhanging a neighbour’s garden.

Overdrawn on his points
Error by man with grocery round
George Lilly, a grocery roundsman, admitted at South-Western Police Court overdrawing points on a customer’s ration book.

Rations for a canteen
Returns alleged to be false
A canteen rationing case, with returns alleged to be false, concerns a Wimbledon co-operative canteen at a Mitcham works.

Volunteer repair squads
Because the council would not form them, the local Communist Party said it would organise volunteer repair squads and asked helpers to come forward.

“Mercury” on battlefields
Keeps our men in touch
The paper describes the Mercury as a link with home for men serving abroad. “Augur” and the sports news are named among the features they asked for.

In a plane crash
A Mitcham works engineer is reported in a plane crash. The name is unclear on the scan.

New minister at Mitcham
Begins his duties on Sunday
A new minister at Mitcham was to begin his duties on Sunday.

Sudden death of Major Gillett
Clerk of the local court until his retirement in February
Major Gillett, clerk of the local court until he retired in February, has died.

Royal road to the R.A.F.
A.T.C. renews training with increased vigour
1807 Squadron A.T.C. was renewing training after the recess.

A family of fighters
Leslie killed in Italy
A Mitcham family of fighters is reported, with Leslie killed in Italy.

Gave himself up to police
A corporal gave himself up to the police.

Death of several old residents
The deaths of several old residents are noted.

Friday 8 September 1944

Mitcham News & Mercury

Wildcat pilot does his stuff
Released bombs with a watch-strap buckle
A naval fighter pilot released bombs using a watch-strap buckle after his release gear failed. The same page has P/O King visiting the Mercury.

Former scout dies at sea
Seaman lost in torpedoed ship
Leslie Ball, eldest son of P.c. Ball and Mrs Ball, educated at Broadwater Road School and Elliott Central, is presumed killed after his ship was torpedoed off Norway in an attack on the Tirpitz. A.B. Eddie Norris of Coteford Street, who joined the Navy with him, brought the news home.

Struck by a lorry after alighting from a tram
Accidental death
An inquest returned accidental death on a man struck by a lorry after getting off a tram in Mitcham.

Fireman saved a family of four
A fireman is reported to have saved a family of four.

Fifty years on the railway
Mr Crockford of London Road, Mitcham, a sectional bridge inspector and repairs supervisor on the Southern Railway, looked back on fifty years, from signal lad and porter through electrification, King Edward VII’s funeral and the Unknown Warrior. He had just been given a diploma, with a medal to follow.

Transfer of food registrations
Readers are told about transferring food registrations through the Ministry of Food.

Friday 15 September 1944

Mitcham News & Mercury

They returned too soon
Woman killed in shelter: others were injured
Evacuees who had come home were among those made homeless when a flying bomb fell on a row of houses already blasted in an earlier raid. Mrs Ellen Gertrude Bond was killed in the shelter with her husband. Among the injured were Mr and Mrs A. Day and Mrs Richies. The bomb fell only fifty yards from a previous one.

Changed her mind
Mrs Washington, who had come home on Thursday, wanted to leave again on Tuesday after a second hit on her house. Neighbours described seventy-year-old Mrs Cotton and Miss Watson hanging out clothes at four in the morning.

Mayor tells of visit to Yorkshire
Mitcham evacuees are having a happy time
The Mayor and Mayoress reported on a visit to Mitcham evacuees in Yorkshire, and he warned others “Don’t come back yet.”

Road across the Common
Unsafe to drive on at night
Driving across the Common at night is called unsafe. The Common Conservators had been consulted.

Air cadets fly
Return from annual camp
1807 Squadron (Mitcham), back from annual camp in Hampshire, had flown in an Oxford, a Dominie and other aircraft, including hedge-hopping.

Mr and Mrs Porter
Fifty years married
Mr and Mrs Arthur Porter of Tamworth Park marked fifty years of marriage. He had lately retired after 51 years on the railway, starting as a signal boy at Wandsworth Road, and remembered being fireman on the train that brought Queen Wilhelmina to this country.

Youth council brains trust
Mitcham Youth Club held a brains trust. The youth council was also asked to think of elderly people.

Friday 22 September 1944

Mitcham News & Mercury

Church Road area as a factory site
Town clerk gives an explanation
At Friday’s council the Town Clerk, S. Chart, said people away from the district who did not answer when told a repaired home could be requisitioned might find someone else living in it. Church Road, Century Road, Hawthorn Cottages, Benedict Terrace, Belgrave Walk, Homefield and Chapel Road were discussed as a possible factory zone. Alderman E. J. D. Field said the area had been badly damaged and this was a chance to stop a slum forming.

Houses on the Common?
The paper understood that Mitcham’s housing authorities were thinking of asking to put temporary houses on the Common, which could be cleared more easily when no longer needed.

Preference for the worst blitzed
A Ministry of Health letter said factory-made houses would go first to towns with exceptional bomb damage. Mitcham stood 13th among the worst blitzed boroughs, with more than 13,000 houses damaged.

Death of Sir Isaac Wilson
Regarded wealth as an endowment
Sir Isaac Wilson died on Tuesday in the hospital he gave to Mitcham. He was 82.

W.V.S. to the fore
The W.V.S. is reported to the fore in local welfare work.

Residents’ fine spirit
The spirit of residents after the bombing is praised.

Thursday 28 September 1944

Mitcham and Tooting Advertiser

Tribute to Civil Defence
“Mitcham has been well served”
Col. Stephen Chart, town clerk and Civil Defence controller, told workers in the Baths Hall on Saturday that Mitcham had been well served. He recalled the first daylight raid at Phipps Bridge on 16 August 1940, and said 48 flying bombs fell on the borough between 18 June and 11 August 1944. The Mayor, Coun. W. Jeffery, and Ald. E. J. D. Field also spoke, and there was a presentation to Chief Warden H. C. Roos.

The press got it first
Mitcham councillor shocked by news of the mayor
A Mitcham councillor is said to have been shocked by news of the mayor which the press had first.

Mitcham’s greatest benefactor
A tribute headed to Mitcham’s greatest benefactor runs beside the Civil Defence report.

Friday 29 September 1944

Mitcham News & Mercury

Homes for all at low rents
A letter sets out a post-war programme of government controls, public ownership of services, the Barlow, Scott and Uthwatt reports, full employment and a 40-hour week, in the name of the Amalgamated Engineering Union.

Streatham’s member criticised
Another letter criticises Streatham’s M.P., and a reply says many in the borough had reason to be grateful to him.

Friday 6 October 1944

Mitcham News & Mercury

A very gallant deed
Was promoted on the field
A Mitcham serviceman was promoted in the field for a gallant deed. The citation on the crop is only partly legible.

Wins the D.F.M.
A Distinguished Flying Medal is reported.

One hand
A Mitcham man living with one hand is pictured. The caption does not give a name that can be read with certainty.

The blacksmith
A photograph shows a blacksmith at work.

New school
Notes for a new school appear on these pages.

Funeral of Sir Isaac Wilson
The funeral of Sir Isaac Wilson is reported, a fortnight after his death.

Friday 13 October 1944

Mitcham News & Mercury

Normal life with no hands
Wants to return
A Mitcham man who lost both hands is reported wanting an ordinary life again.

Pte Lee
Gives comfort to friends
Pte Lee, writing from abroad, tries to comfort friends at home.

Airman hurt
An airman is reported hurt.

“Jerry is on the run”
Germans slow and badly clothed
A serving man’s letter says the Germans are slow, badly clothed, and on the run.

Trades Council
Unique meeting at the Town Hall
Mitcham Trades Council met at the Town Hall. Ald. J. R. Beasant is named in the report.

Friday 20 October 1944

Mitcham News & Mercury

Out of Arnhem
F/O Charles G. W. Kenyon
Flying Officer Charles G. W. Kenyon is reported safely out of Arnhem. A friend is said to have had a last crack at the enemy.

Peter Pushman
A portrait note concerns Peter Pushman.

Mitcham has a big gulf, says the surveyor
The borough surveyor reviewed the gap in housing and in building repairs.

Religion in Germany
The Rev. Dr Hubery
The Rev. Dr Hubery spoke on religion in Germany.

Friday 27 October 1944

Mitcham News & Mercury

Make it a home for Mitcham’s homeless
A scheme to house Mitcham’s homeless is reported.

The bomb-damage men love a cup of tea
The repair gangs are written up around their tea break.

Rowed down the Rhine
C. Curtis Wakeford
C. Curtis Wakeford, described as a member of Mitcham, rowed down the Rhine.

The last out of Arnhem
A further Arnhem story, the last man out, is in this issue.

Crawled through to the American forces
A man crawled through to the American lines.

Friday 3 November 1944

Mitcham News & Mercury

Drastic action necessary
Mr Shute has an idea
A hostel for Mitcham’s homeless
Mr Shute put up a scheme for a hostel for Mitcham’s homeless. Ceilings were called the chief trouble, and a street-by-street survey is mentioned. Mitcham W.V.S. were among those at work on it.

Killed on a stretcher
Plane crash
A man is reported killed on a stretcher after a plane crash.

Bombed
London Road, Lower Mitcham
Bomb damage in London Road, Lower Mitcham, is reported.

Friday 10 November 1944

Mitcham News & Mercury

No houses on the Common
The paper reports that houses will not be built on the Common.

A new call to youth
A new call to youth is published.

130 entries
A show or competition with 130 entries is reported as something to celebrate.

The Mayor marches
The Mayor is pictured marching. A second crop from the same issue is captioned with the name Milne.

Friday 17 November 1944

Mitcham News & Mercury

More than 300 in Mitcham
“Never lacked courage”
More than 300 people in Mitcham are counted on the front page, under the line that they never lacked courage. The story is split across several crops.

They admire Mitcham
Visitors are quoted as admiring Mitcham.

Peter Pushman
Peter Pushman appears again, in a portrait crop.

Formation of a local battalion
The formation of a local battalion is reported.

Why people are leaving
A piece asks why people are leaving the district.

Friday 24 November 1944

Mitcham News & Mercury

Bath Road condemned but still inhabited
When will the huts come?
A reporter found Bath Road condemned and still lived in: wet rooms, Anderson shelters, and drains blocked since July. Mrs Gibbs, Mrs Smith and her four children, Mrs Clark, Charles Clark, 72-year-old Mrs Rachel Smith and her daughter Mrs Penfold, and Mr Honey were among those asking when the huts would arrive. Borough surveyor Mr Riley Schofield had said it was unlikely any would be available before Christmas. Sir Malcolm Trustram Eve had been to the Town Hall, not to Bath Road. Chapel Road and Century Road were in a similar state. Miss B. Thrupp’s plan to use the Baths Hall as a hostel had little support.

Storm at housing
Died after the second bar
A housing row on the same issue includes a death headed “after the second bar.” The name is not clear.

How Grove Road got its name
A note explains the name of Grove Road.

Thursday 4 January 1945

Daily Worker

British Army uncovers a Nazi “inquisition” camp
Tortured at Breendonk
A report released at 21st Army Group described torture at the Gestapo camp at Breendonk in occupied Belgium. Prisoners, mostly Jews and members of underground movements, were handcuffed and stripped; a Brussels woman described being hung by a rope from the ceiling.

London will soon have one
A factory of houses
The Ministry of Works was putting up London’s first prefabricated house, a Uni-Seco type, and the L.C.C. had taken the first sites towards 20,000 prefabs.

Youngsters told they have a job to do
Sir Charles Reilly told a London conference on education in world citizenship that young people should set about making towns decent places to live.

Friday 5 January 1945

Mitcham News & Mercury

Lieut. Albert Simpson
Flew “a big cheese”
Old folks at home
Lieut. Albert Simpson is reported to have flown “a big cheese,” in a fragment also headed with old folks at home.

Friday 12 January 1945

Mitcham News & Mercury

Director in the R.A.F. explains
No knowledge of the regulations
Surprised at the profits
This is the opening of the Board of Trade case against Kempat Ltd of Western Road, Mitcham, for overcharging on brassieres. Counsel said that for six months of the 1943 accounts profits were 63 per cent instead of 7½ per cent. Managing director Vivian Fitch-Kemp was in the R.A.F. in Lincolnshire but still in touch with the firm. Major Henderson-Scott said he had no part in the costing.

Friday 19 January 1945

Mitcham News & Mercury

£3,435 in fines for overcharging for brassieres
At Mitcham Court, Kempat Ltd was fined £200 on each of 15 summonses. Vivian Fitch-Kemp, of All Saints Road, Sutton, was fined £20 on each of 15; Major Walter Maxwell Henderson-Scott, of Burley, Hampshire, £10 on each of nine; and Mrs Ruby Olive Knobel, of Gibsons Hill, Norbury, £5 on each of nine. Fifty guineas costs went against the firm. Ald. S. L. Gaston called the case flagrant. The overcharge on those 15 sales was £14 5s. 5½d.

Friday 2 February 1945

Mitcham News & Mercury

Chuter Ede recalls his teaching days
A true son of Surrey
Chuter Ede, speaking in Mitcham, recalled his teaching days and was described as a true son of Surrey and as another link with an older Mitcham.

Friday 9 February 1945

Mitcham News & Mercury

Mrs M. A. Siviour
Mrs Mary Ann Siviour, of St John’s Place, Church Road, was buried in the parish churchyard on Friday. She was 81, had lived in the same house for fifty years, and was the mother of Sub-Divisional George Siviour. Her husband had worked at Rutter’s Mitcham Shag mill on the Wandle. The house was blasted in the flying-bomb attacks, and she had only lately come back from evacuation.

Friday 16 February 1945

Mitcham News & Mercury

Shuttles made at the workshops
Historic experiments hastened peace
Workshops, including one at Balham, had been making shuttles. The paper links the work with experiments that hastened peace.

Streatham News

The man who made the first mooring buoy
South Norwood
A South Norwood man is credited with making the first mooring buoy.

Friday 23 February 1945

Mitcham News & Mercury

“Jolly good show”
Much better for the children
A visit connected with the new housing is summed up as a jolly good show and much better for the children.

Rent 10s. a week
Others to have Nissens
Rents of 10s. a week are mentioned, and other families were to have Nissen huts.

For Sir Malcolm
The Mayor sees the M.P.
The Mayor saw the M.P. about a matter for Sir Malcolm, following the complaints over bombed housing.

Friday 2 March 1945

Mitcham News & Mercury

Lady Worsfold’s will
Lady Louisa Worsfold, of the White House, Cricket Green, widow of Sir Thomas Cato Worsfold, left £28,580 12s. 5d. gross. The silver coffee pot and the Armada chest went to her husband’s nephew Ivor Worsfold, and £400 to Lizzie Palmer, her cook-housekeeper. The residue went to her niece Marjory E. Osman. Verger A. E. Champion was sent a candlestick and matchbox holder from the White House.

Lady Worsfold memorial fund
A memorial fund in Lady Worsfold’s name is also reported.

Serves 250 daily but loses £150 a month
A kitchen serving 250 people a day was losing £150 a month. Three reasons are given; not all of them can be read.

Friday 16 March 1945

Mitcham News & Mercury

Nissen huts
They’re all pleased
Families in the new Nissen huts said they were pleased. The curved walls and the kitchens are described, and a plot of ground was still wanted.

Sailors want pen-friends
Sailors asked for pen-friends.

Circled the minefield
A sailor’s account of circling a minefield is reported.

Parcel from New Zealand
A parcel from New Zealand is acknowledged.

Friday 23 March 1945

Mitcham News & Mercury

Death of Ald. S. L. Gaston
Judgment and good humour
Ald. S. L. Gaston, chairman of the Mitcham bench, has died. The paper writes of his judgment and good humour.

A playground complaint
A complaint about a playground is reported.

Straying horses
Horses, a rope and a brick
A case concerns straying horses, a rope and a brick.

Council estimates
The council estimates are before this issue.

Friday 30 March 1945

Mitcham News & Mercury

This week’s pages
The surviving scan of 30 March is almost entirely a cinema list. No news story on it could be read.

Friday 6 April 1945

Mitcham News & Mercury

Why the council scheme was opposed at the inquiry
A council scheme was opposed at a public inquiry. The scan does not name the scheme clearly enough to repeat it.

Ex-prisoner of war and a happy reunion
The lance-bombardier brought a neighbour with him
A lance-bombardier who had been a prisoner came home and brought a neighbour with him.

Friday 20 April 1945

Mitcham News & Mercury

Western Road school football team
The paper prints a photograph of the Western Road school football team.

Friday 27 April 1945

Mitcham News & Mercury

This week’s pages
Several crops from 27 April are in the set, but the headlines are too broken to summarise without guessing.

Friday 4 May 1945

Mitcham News & Mercury

T. Francis
A portrait or note of T. Francis is among the 4 May crops. The caption is not readable.

Friday 11 May 1945

Mitcham News & Mercury

Victory is ours
Bonfires blaze the light of peace
A spirit of thanksgiving on the Green
Flags went up in the streets and bonfires were lit on the Green. The revels lasted past midnight.

The Mayor pays tribute
The Mayor paid tribute at the thanksgiving.

We remember them
A remembrance of the dead sits beside the victory headlines.

Casualty of war: the Cricketers
The Cricketers is described as a casualty of the war.

Mitcham Labour Party at 484
The Mitcham Labour Party gathering at 484 is pictured.

How Mitcham won through
A serial history of the borough at war starts in this issue: evacuation rehearsals and gas masks in the summer of 1939, the last Mitcham Fair that August, and the emergency committee under Controller S. Chart, with Aldermen East, Gaston, Field, Fitch and Dalton, on 3 September. It follows the “phoney” months, Hall Place opened as a soldiers’ club, the Fair Green raid that destroyed the Methodist church, the Home Guard’s loss of eleven men at a platoon post at the Creameries, and the blitz. Flight-Sgt Frank Petts, a former Mitcham County School boy, is named among early local airmen mentioned in dispatches.

Mr G. A. Isaacs, M.P.
Mr G. A. Isaacs, M.P., was announced to speak on the Saturday.

Friday 18 May 1945

Mitcham News & Mercury

All jolly at the victory parties
VE-day for the kiddies
Street teas went on. In Edmund Street the oldest inhabitant took victory tea with the Mayor and Mayoress, Ald. and Mrs A. H. Bailey. Other captions show Caithness Road, a “Welcome Home” in Lessingham Avenue, camera-shy toddlers in Burtop Road, Balham Park Road, New Barnes Road, “stout fellows” in Raleigh Gardens, the spread in Trevelyan Road, sunshine in Louisville Road, and the Mayor and Mayoress at Steers Mead. In Tunley Road, Tooting, the Mayor and Mayoress of Wandsworth, Ald. and Mrs W. C. Bonney, joined the tea.

The political home front
Mr Greenwood
Mr Greenwood is reported on the political home front, on the same page as the Edmund Street picture.

Labour’s headquarters
A photograph shows Labour’s headquarters.

Friday 25 May 1945

Mitcham News & Mercury

More victory parties
Further photographs: a sunny time in Manship Road, Rodney Road’s own V-signal, happy faces in Carshalton Road, and children at Bordergate puzzled by the camera.

Friday 1 June 1945

Mitcham News & Mercury

Cranmer Estate’s victory party
Flags went up again on the Cranmer estate the night before. Heavy rain just before tea drove everyone indoors; about twenty minutes later the cloths and food were back outside. Games followed, and later a bonfire.

Pear Tree Close
The children of Pear Tree Close, Mitcham, were photographed at their victory tea.

Friday 8 June 1945

Mitcham News & Mercury

Deer Park Gardens
There was iced cake for the guests at the victory party in Deer Park Gardens, Mitcham, at the week-end.

Almond Way
A photograph shows a group of children at Almond Way’s victory party.

Friday 15 June 1945

Mitcham News & Mercury

Dearn Gardens
The Mayor of Mitcham opened the proceedings at a party in Dearn Gardens.

Sir Robertson
Meetings for electors
Sir Robertson was to speak at meetings, including Plough Lane, Beddington and Long Thornton. All electors were invited.

Friday 22 June 1945

Mitcham News & Mercury

Tamworth Lane has its party
Tamworth Lane’s victory party is photographed.

Bert Webb
Arnhem
A separate cutting mentions Bert Webb and also Arnhem. The paragraph is too broken for a fuller summary.

Friday 29 June 1945

Mitcham News & Mercury

Col. Stephen Chart
Two notable honours
Two honours had come to Lt.-Col. Stephen Chart, for thirty years clerk to the urban council and then town clerk, who was shortly to retire.

Fusilier killed in Italy
Fusilier Jack Standish, aged 22, of Pitcairn Road, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, was killed in Italy a fortnight before VE-Day. A year earlier the paper had told how he helped fool the Germans while another platoon took prisoners. Before the war he worked at the Stock Exchange, was educated at Gorringe Park School, and was a Mitcham Boy Scout.

Star turn on Mitcham’s platform
Professor Laski spoke in a crowded Mitcham hall, with an overflow in the yard, for what the report calls a socialised Britain.

Lifeboat Day
Mitcham’s Lifeboat Day collection for the R.N.L.I. is reported, with E. M. Blackwell among the organisers.

Streatham News

Quarrel over a coal cellar
Landlady summonsed by her lodger
A landlady was summonsed by her lodger after a quarrel over a coal cellar.

The war not won by one man
Col. Wintle
Col. Wintle argued that the war was not won by one man.

“No room for compromise”
Mr Sandys hits at the Socialists
Mr Sandys said there was no room for compromise, in an attack on the Socialists.

Friday 20 July 1945

North London Press

More VE parties
Still celebrating in Islington
The Press reports further VE parties in Islington, with the mayor among the children and an open-air theatre in Finsbury Park. This cutting is not a Mitcham paper.

Friday 27 July 1945

Mitcham News & Mercury

Lavender Avenue children’s party
Children at the Lavender Avenue, Mitcham, victory party on Saturday included the entrants in a race. The ground’s name is cut off on the scan.

Wednesday 8 August 1945

The Tatler and Bystander

Mash—Benn
Mr A. E. L. Mash, director of public relations at the Ministry of Aircraft Production, of The Wield, Betchworth, son of Mrs A. Mash of 96 Manor Road, Mitcham, married Miss Julia W. Benn, younger daughter of Sir Ernest and Lady Benn of Morven, Oxted, at Tandridge.

Friday 10 August 1945

Mitcham News & Mercury

A charabanc outing
Gladstone Mission
Thirty-two members of the sisterhood of old folks at Gladstone Mission, Mitcham, took their first post-war charabanc outing on August Monday, to Windsor. They picnicked at Runnymede, saw the castle, had tea by the river and a boat trip, and sang all the way home.

Friday 17 August 1945

Mitcham News & Mercury

Holiday in a mansion
Thirty-three Mitcham children went with the Mayor, Ald. A. H. Bailey, on Tuesday for a fortnight at a mansion at Worplesdon, near Guildford, paid for by the Lord Mayor’s Air-Raid Distress Fund. He went back the next day with seven more children.

A cheque for seven years’ service
Mr Val Hall presented a cheque to Mr J. Gibbs for seven years’ service at Willow Lane, Mitcham.

Betting in the public bar
In a Mitcham public house a man was watched taking a slip and coins. Callaghan was alleged to have looked at the paper and said, “It’s not in the first race, is it?”

Friday 24 August 1945

Mitcham News & Mercury

Fernlea Road
Ninety-four-year-old Mrs Amelia Frost took tea with the victory party in Fernlea Road, Mitcham.

Friday 7 September 1945

Mitcham News & Mercury

Love Lane
A photograph shows some of the young merrymakers at the Love Lane, Mitcham, victory party.

Thursday 11 October 1945

Mitcham and Tooting Advertiser

Fifty years on the railway
Golden wedding memories of old Mitcham
Mr Arthur G. Funnell, of 32a Mitcham Garden Village, and Mrs Funnell kept their golden wedding. Forty of his fifty years on the Southern Railway were in signal boxes about Mitcham Junction. He signalled Queen Victoria’s funeral train, and the branch-line royal train that carried the Prince of Wales and the Kaiser after a review on Wimbledon Common. They were married at the parish church by Canon Wilson on the same day, and in the same carriage, as Tom Richardson at Beddington. Their Love Lane house, home for forty years, was bombed.

The first two home
The first two Mitcham prisoners home from the Far East were Gunner H. A. Dalton, R.A., son of Ald. and Mrs W. Dalton of 205 Commonside East, and L/Cpl Walls, Royal Corps of Signals, son of Mr and Mrs Walls, of 2 King’s… (the rest of the address is cut off). Mr C. H. Selwood of the Mitcham Prisoners of War Association met them at Waterloo, and Mrs Poole, of the garage in Western Road, drove them home. Twenty local owners had offered cars.

Opening of the new Vestry Hall in 1887

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The Vestry Hall, London Road, Mitcham, was opened on Wednesday 18th May 1887, as show on this tablet, which is on display in the entrance.

From the Wallington & Carshalton Herald – Saturday 21 May 1887

OPENING OF THE
MITCHAM VESTRY HALL.

THE HISTORY.–THE CEREMONY
–THE DINNER.

SPEECHES BY MR. H. C. BONSOR, M.P., AND MR.
SIDNEY GEDGE, M.P.

Wednesday–a Mitcham “Red Letter” day–broke gloomy and overcast with lowering clouds, which ultimately discharged their watery contents just in the nick of time to avoid making any of the outdoor celebrations connected with the opening of the Vestry Hall a miserable failure. The sky and atmosphere rapidly cleared about 11 a.m., and welcome Phoebus made his appearance, to enliven with his presence a scene that was probably unique in the annals of Mitcham. Shortly before noon the lower Green was rapidly filled with the expectant forms of 1600 school children, brought together by a happy fore-sight to witness the first formality connected with the opening of the hall, namely, the starting of the illuminated clock, purchased by the surviving members of the “Original Mitcham Penny Readings, 1866-73” (Messrs. J. C. Barter, W. Smith, and W. R. Harwood)

In addition to the children a very large number of the general public had assembled, and as twelve o’clock approached, Mrs. W. R. Harwood, in company with a select party of ladies and gentlemen, ascended the clock tower, and when the hour was announced, started the “Mitcham Ben”; everything, of course, in the way of winding up, &c., having been prepared before hand. This was the signal for immense cheering, on the part of the children more particularly, and the band (composed of lads from the Holborn Union Schools) struck up “God Save the Queen,” in which the children heartily joined. The children having been presented with a bun each, then dispersed or loitered about to swell the crowd that awaited the arrival of the guests invited to the opening ceremony, at 2.30. Long before that hour, however, the hall was crowded. All particulars concerning the building are given below in the statement read by Mr. Clarke, suffice it to say that the construction of the hall is such as to suit the varied requirements of those speakers, singers, and others who will have occasion to exercise their vocal powers within its walls. On Wednesday afternoon the base of the platform was handsomely set off with arum lillies, marguerites, geraniums, ferns, &c., and presented a very pleasing appearance. The vicar, the parish officers, the vestry clerk, and the local authorities assembled at the vestry clerk’s office at 2 o’clock. To await the arrival of Mrs. H. Cosmo Bonsor, who was to declare the building open. On her arrival they met her at the principal entrance to the hall where a key was presented to her. In company with Mr. H. C. Bonsor, M.P., and the Rev. D. F. Wilson, the party then proceeded upstairs to the hall amidst cheers. Arrived at the platform, Miss Blenke, daughter of Dr. Clarke, presented Mrs. Bonsor with a magnificent bouquet, which was gracefully received. On the platform or immediately around it at this time, we noticed Messrs. C. E. Innes and Dr. Clarke (churchwardens), J. Nobes (chairman of the Lighting Inspectors), J. B. Nicholls (chairman of the Highway Board), H. Hodges, F. Francis, and F. G. Howard (overseers), Rev. I. F. Wilson, Dr. W. Smith, Rev. — Seddon (Baptist Minister), Rev. F. S. Legg (vicar of Christ Church), Messrs. O. W. Berry (guardian), J. Knight (vice-chairman of the Burial Board), W. R. Harwood, J. C. Rutter, R. M. Chart, C. Robinson, S. W. Reading, J. Somerfield, H. List, and Dr. Marshall.

The VICAR first offered the following suitable prayer:

Almighty God, who hast taught us that Thy wisdom rejoiceth in the habitable parts of the earth, and that its delights are with the sons of men, let Thy blessing rest on this Hall which we this day are opening. May it be for the profit and well-being of the people who shall use it. Grant also, O Lord, we beseech Thee, Thy grace to all who shall be chosen to any office herein, that they may discharge their duties as unto Thee and not as unto man, and that in wise counsels, resolute efforts, and the conscientious discharge of duty, they may promote the social welfare of all classes in this large parish, and this we ask in the name and for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

After which Dr. FARRER CLARKE read the following statement “The idea of erecting a Vestry Hall such as this originated some years since in the need that was felt for a Parish room other than the vestry of the church, which was often found too small to accommodate the ratepayers desiring to be present. Plans were prepared for a small building to accommodate 100 people at a cost of £150. Difficulties arose which delayed the erection, and later on it was thought desirable to increase the proposed accommodation by a Parish office and Committee room, and a second set of plans was prepared with this object for a building to cost about £1,000. It is now a satisfaction to think that the many obstacles which presented themselves prevented the original idea being carried out for building then proposed would by this time have been found quite inadequate to meet the needs of this large and growing Parish. The site of this building was formerly occupied by three relics of bye-gone times, a parish pound, a cage or lock up, and the parish stocks, a grant being made to the parish for that purpose by the Lords of the Manor some 200 years ago, which is recorded in the parish minutes. The difficulties that have had to be overcome in order to arrive at the satisfactory conclusion which we now celebrate may be judged of when I state:—

1st. That the Authority to erect a building combining the accommodation here found, is derived from three distinct Acts of Parliament.

2nd, That it was only by a combination of the local bodies, who put it in force the statutes
that the work could be carried out.

3rd, That the consent of the adjoining owners, of the Lords of the Manor of Fauxhall, and of the parish in vestry assembled had to be obtained, and the approval of the Local Government Board.

4th. That the funds have to be provided from several sources, those for the erection of the Hall from a loan repayable in 10 years, those for the offices from the sale of two Parish Cottages, the balance being lent by Mr. G. P. Bidder, without interest; those for the Engine House from out of the Lighting Rate. The building has been erected in accordance with plans prepared by Mr. R. M. Chart, the local architect and surveyor, and approved by the Local Government Board, at a cost of £3,500, the works being satisfactorily completed by Mr. E. J. Burnand, builder, of Wallington. The exterior dimensions of the building are — length, 88 feet, and breadth, 35 feet; height to summit of the vane, 82 feet; this hall has internal dimensions of 58 feet by 31 feet; the three offices each measure 24 feet by 15 feet; two of these are let to the District Sanitary Authority at a remunerative rent, the third will be devoted to parish business. The Lighting Inspectors have permitted (under conditions which will satisfactorily ensure a first class engine being always at their command) the occupation of the engine house by our efficient Volunteer Brigade. The clock in the tower is the gift of the surviving members of the original penny reading committee, who held some years ago a series of successful penny readings, resulting in the accumulation of a sum of £105, the cost of the clock.” He then welcomed Mr. and Mrs. Bonsor to the hall, expressing his regret that a “Mayor and Corporation ” representative of Mitcham were not there to meet them.” (Cheers.)
Mrs. Bonsor, who was greeted with tremendous applause, then said: “I have great pleasure in declaring this hall open.” (Cheers.) Three cheers having been given for her with much heartiness.

Mr. INNES, on behalf of the ratepayers of the parish, and the company present, thanked Mrs. Bonsor for her kindness in declaring the hall open. They had all heard of the great difficulties that had been connected with the raising of the building, but there was one difficulty that had not been surmounted until close upon its finish, and that was to find someone to open it. The gentlemen felt that they ought to have a lady to do it, for they felt that they would utterly fail, whatever their success might be in other matters, if they did not have some lady to come and open the hall for them. Mrs. Bonsor was asked, and she responded in the most kind manner. Without any sort of hesitation, she at once placed herself at their service, and therefore he thought that to her their best thanks were due. (Cheers.) To her, he was sure they were all deeply obliged. He was there to represent the ratepayers of all shades of opinion. They were not all of one thought, perhaps, but they were all Conservatives that day in wishing that she might often come amongst them, and that she might long retain the memories of that day. (Cheers.) And they were all Liberals in their gratitude to her for, if she would come and make her home amongst them they would all, he was sure, be amenable to Home Rule. (Cheers and laughter).

Mr. H. Cosmo Bonsor, M.P., in re-sponding on behalf of Mrs. Bonsor, remarked that she wished him to tell them that she was not at present quite practised enough in public speaking to return thanks for the very kindly way in which Mr. Jones had thanked her on behalf of those present, and she had also commissioned him to say just a few words to them of thanks for the cordial welcome they had given her on that auspicious occasion. (Cheers.) He could assure them in Mrs. Bonsor’s behalf and on his own, that it was the greatest possible relief to them to get away from London and politics, and other matters which were not so pleasant as occasions like the present, and to come among people who were thoroughly harmonious and thoroughly unanimous, in wishing success to an undertaking. (Applause.) They had heard a statement as to the difficulties connected with the building of that hall, as to how it was erected and how it was provided. (Applause.) They had heard a statement as to the difficulties connected with the building of that hall, as to how it was erected and how it was provided. (Applause.)
He did not doubt but some of them had a good idea what was to be expected. If he were to tell them he was not quite clear in the statement he had heard from Dr. Clarke and that he could not tell them what it was intended for, that was one thing; but when he reflected on the great utility, or usefulness, of the building it might be for anything. For instance it could be used to transact local matters and other things. And he thought that they had in Mitcham got a very good and useful building. He, however, did not like to anticipate in this way in this his first visit amongst them as he had been informed that there were many things which needed doing there. He said he did not wish to anticipate because he did not know what to say. If he had had time for more contemplation he should not have been so surprised. If they had built a place like this, well provided in all that it had, and it would answer their purposes, in other words they had it for the good of all. When they had made good arrangements they had nothing further to consider than that they would conduct their business in such a way that all should be satisfied. There was one thing they could all claim for it, that it was a handsome building, and one that would be a great credit to them. It was a pleasure for him and his wife to have been amongst them. They were all of a very friendly nature, which they would always remember. They had done great things in the parish. He had heard all the history of the place in a very short time, but he knew from experience that they were a hard working people. He hoped that when he got away from the parish he should hear that they were more successful than they had ever been.
(Applause). He then proceeded to move that the best thanks of the parish be given to the chairman of the building committee and to the architect, Mr. R. M. Chart, in which was associated the names of the rest of the committee, and also those who had helped to promote the undertaking. He had also to thank Mrs. Bonsor for coming down and attending there to open the hall, and had also to thank all who had come forward and helped on that occasion.
Mr. J. B. NICHOLS seconded.
The resolution was carried unanimously.

THE DINNER.

At 1.30 p.m., the Vestry Hall was filled with a select company, who partook of dinner. A cold, but recherche repast was served up in excellent style, the tables being laid out with flowers, ferns, &c., placed down the centre. Mr. G. P. Bidder, Q.C., J.P., presided, and was supported amongst others by Mr. H. Cosmo Bonsor, M.P., Mr. Sidney Gedge, M.P., Drs. F. Clarke, Smith, and Lowe, the Revs. D. F. Wilson, F. S. Legg, A. E. Seddon, O. H. Leton, and Jackson, and Messrs. C. E. Innes, Nobes, Wolsey, R. M. Chart, C. Czarnikow, T. G. Howard, H. Hodges, O. W. Berry, G. Mckal, J. H. Bridges, J. P. Harvey, J. R. Nicholls, W. R. Harwood, J. Wells, E. Mills, F. Lowe, T. Francis, G. Pitt, B. Green, W. Pile, S. Lowe, W. Readings, R. Shillington, J. Summerfield, H. List, J. J. Churchill, E. Burnant, J. M. Coates, C. Palmer, H. B. Ayard, A. T. Williams, G. W. Barter, &c.

After dinner, THE CHAIRMAN proposed the usual loyal toasts, remarking that they had special significance in this the 50th year of Her Majesty’s beneficent reign. The satisfaction which existed in the hearts of Her Majesty’s people was not due to her long reign, because that was simply an accident of a good constitution, but to the virtuous and thoroughly constitutional manner in which she had carried out her many difficult duties. (Cheers.)

The toast having been honoured with enthusiasm, THE CHAIRMAN proposed the “Houses of Parliament,” coupled with the name of Mr. H. C. Bonsor, M.P. He felt that they could congratulate themselves upon the fact that their member of Parliament was the first to try the acoustic properties of that new building. Although they had not got the honour of the presence of a member of the Upper House they had the pleasure of the company of Mr. Bonsor–(cheers)–their member-(new cheers)–and also of Mr. Gedge, who was also a parishioner. (Cheers.) A few years ago he might be as a Liberal, having great influence and influence among his constituents; however, there was no politics in their meeting that day, and they were all Conservatives, and they hoped Mr. Bonsor would long continue to represent them. They also knew he had the support of the Liberal party in the constituency. The meeting gave them the chance that day of meeting together as friends. The first speech that day had been made by a lady, which was a proof they were not narrow minded. The hall he hoped would do great good in the parish, and he had no doubt the parish would be able to maintain its position amongst other parishes in the surrounding country. As he had said before, they were all Conservatives, and he would now give them the toast, coupled with the name of Mr. Bonsor.

Mr. H. COSMO BONSOR, M.P., responded. Having heartily thanked those present for the kind and cordial reception they had accorded him, he remarked that at the present time the House of Commons was in an awkward state, and therefore it was not so pleasant to talk of it as it usually was. They had been sitting since the 20th of January, and had done remarkably little; but notwithstanding that fact he was proud to occupy the position he did occupy, as a representative of an important Constituency. (Cheers.) They must remember that members of Parliament gave up their family ties and business occupations in order that they might devote their attention to the legislative duties of the nation. (Cheers.) There were certain Constituencies at the present moment who would send a man up to Parliament for the special purpose of stopping Parliamentary work, and until they came to their senses he was afraid they would have a great deal of trouble in Parliament. (Cheers.) Mr. Bidder had kindly alluded to him as the member for the constituency. He (Mr. Bonsor) had, ever since he had occupied that post, endeavoured as far as possible to represent all shades of political opinion in the district—(cheers)— irrespective of party, so long as he had been able to stick to his own political convictions, and he was bound to say that so far as he was concerned he was very well satisfied indeed if he had been able to earn the esteem of his political supporters without losing the support of his political supporters. (Cheers.) He thanked them immensely for the kind and friendly manner in which they had received his health, and he assured them that he threw on one side personal feeling in the matter, and believed he was returning thanks for the House of Commons. (Cheers.) He thought that they should have every confidence that in a few days it would resume its work as an executive and legislative assembly. (Cheers.) He believed that when they toasted the Constitution they would remember that it had been the supporter of the liberties of this country for many many years; that it had ungrudgingly voted money for the maintenance of our vast Empire; and in the hope and in the trust that it would maintain its position in the hearts of English men, he returned his cordial thanks for the honour they had done him by coupling his name with it. (Loud and continued cheering.)

The next sentiment, that of “The Parish Officers,” was given by Mr. Sidney Gedge, M.P., who commenced by humorously asking those present not to think that in leaving members of Parliament and coming to the parish officers they were taking a downward step. (Laughter.) Just the reverse. He remembered many years ago reading of an old Latin writer who had been writing or talking about some affairs of state and concluded by remarking “Now let us sing of greater things.” Well, they had been hearing a great deal about the traditional House of Commons, and from those little things, of a kind so trifling—(laughter)—let them turn to the Parish Officers. When he looked around him—he did not say that with any sarcastic or mocking spirit—(laughter)—he assured them that after four months hard labour in the House of Commons they could not produce anything like the unanimity that prevailed in that room. (Laughter and cheers.) He looked forward to that room being of the greatest use to Mitcham. He could see it holding political meetings—they were not to talk politics that night—(laughter)—so he should not do it. (Further laughter.) He could see meetings for all purposes, parochial, missionary, scientific, and religious. He could also look forward and fancy it being occupied by a bazaar, and people spending freely in aid of this or of that good object. If report was true it would not be very long before they would have to do that, and he hoped they would
come with their pockets full and go away with them empty; but with large burdens for their families. (Laughter and cheers.) Anyhow, he hoped the hall would be used for every good purpose and amusement. (Cheers.) To whom were they indebted for the room? They were indebted very much indeed to their parish officers and he asked them to drink their health, because he was told they would only have their rates increased a penny in the £1 by the erection of that building, and not only that, but they had kindly provided for that increase of a penny by reducing the rate 2d. Long might they continue to levy a penny rate if they would only take off 2d. (Great laughter.) Parish officers were not usually toastful at public meetings, but there was a toast always given which was something like it and that was “The Volunteer Forces,” Parish officers were “Volunteer Forces.” (Laughter). They were the great unpaid. (Further laughter). They gave their time and talent and took trouble, and did not get any reward at all that he (Mr. Gedge) was aware of except the good will and applause of their fellow parishioners, which he hoped they would give them that evening. (Cheers). He supposed in the subject of parish officers they all took some interest and in Local Government for they knew there was looming in the distance, a bill—he was not talking politics,—(Great laughter)—which was to be brought into Parliament as soon as they had cleared away a few matters which their Irish friends took care there should have considerable trouble over. There was to be a Local Government Bill. While in the tea-room of the House of Commons, reclining on a sofa, reading a paper and waiting until the dinner bell rang, he espied the President of the Local Government Board, a day or two ago. He (Mr. Gedge) said, “I am going down to my parish—the most important village of Mitcham—(uproarious laughter)—and I am going to propose the health of the parish officers. They have a burning desire to know what your bill is?” (Great laughter). He (Mr. Gedge) could tell them as inaccurately—(laughter)—as he could remember what the answer of the President of the Board of Trade was. “Mitcham,” he said, “is to have a Lord Mayor before long, who will have a retiring allowance of £1,000 a year.” (Uproarious laughter.) That was all the answer he (Mr. Gedge) could get out of him. He (Mr. Gedge) did not see why Mitcham should not have a Mayor and Aldermen. Although he had lived in that charming village—(laughter)—he had never had a chance of rising to that dignity. Why should not they? He was sure they all would welcome the local Government Bill, and cordially–without talking politics (laughter)—support a Government that was going to bring in such a Bill. With those few words he would ask them to drink the health of the parish officers.

This toast was drunk with enthusiasm, and Dr. CLARKE replied. They could not expect a good speech from a parish Doctor. He was sure they were extremely obliged for the way in which they had drunk their healths, and could only say that they were extremely happy, as Volunteers, to do their best for the parish. (Cheers.)

The Chairman then proposed the “Local Authorities and Officials.” Whilst he would not attempt to draw that fine line of distinction between parish officers and local officials that his honourable and learned friend Mr. Gedge had done, he did desire to propose their health, especially in connection with the new vestry hall in which they were now assembled. (Cheers.) Mr. Gedge had alluded to the question of local government which was coming to the fore. If a certain other question would allow parliament to entertain any other matter. (Laughter). They all knew that it was recognised now as desirable that they should so amend their local and county governments that people in each district should be better able to manage their local affairs—always of course under the supreme control of the Imperial Parliament. And in connection with that and looking to what would probably come in the near future he thought that Vestry Hall was likely to serve a very useful purpose. If anyone thought he exaggerated the importance of a parish and of a vestry—and after all a vestry was not a particularly august or important body, let him (Mr. Bidder) remind them that the parish was the unit of their local government, and that of the aggregate of such units their polity was built up. (Cheers). The word “parish” was a good old word, (laughter), and had a meaning and a lesson of its own. It meant those who dwelt together in a neighbourhood. They all knew in theory their duty to their neighbour, but he must confess that sometimes in parochial questions which were discussed at a vestry they did not give the practical effect to it which perhaps they might and they all might find themselves sometimes a little liable of course unconsciously, to look at questions a little too much from the standpoint of how they affected their own interest, and their own rates. (Laughter.) That was perhaps natural, but at the same time there was the very opposite principle which they all knew was at the root of the prosperity of every Society. That principle was “Each for all.” (Cheers.) That was the essence of all corporate life, and no society could be thoroughly progressive or prosperous that did not recognise that. (Hear.) There was another disadvantage to which, in a suburban parish, they were always liable, and that was as they all knew that a portion of their residents were people who had their business in the great Metropolis. They went from Mitcham in the morning, did a hard day’s work at the shop counter or office and came back tired out at night for rest, sleep and refreshment, and did not care for more work, and many a man when urged to take his share in the parish work said, “I leave business behind me when I leave my shop, and I come here for my rest.” Those men made a great mistake in not recognising their obligation as members of their own Society. (Hear.) For that reason he hoped that Vestry Hall would do great good amongst them; would be to them all a symbol and embodiment of the corporate unity which they should all recognise, and a reminder that they had all got duties as neighbours and residents in the parish. He could not help introducing another reason why he looked to see the hall built. Hitherto the parochial meetings had been held in the vestry of the parish church. That was all very well in the days gone by, when everybody was a Churchman, and obliged to be a Churchman for that matter. (Laughter.) But now they were not all Churchmen. Many present were, but many were not. There were amongst them Roman Catholics and Dissenters of various denominations, and he thought that for parochial purposes, and in matters wherein they met as parishioners, or, as he pre-ferred to term it, as neighbours, to transact their own business, they should meet, as they always would be hoped, meet in that room, upon a common platform of equality. (Cheers.) For that reason, and for the other considerations he had mentioned, he felt grateful, and he thought they would all feel grateful to the local authorities who had agitated, and had matured and brought to a successful issue that scheme of the Vestry Hall. (Cheers) He was satisfied they did it with the consciousness that they were adding to the vigour of their corporate life, and he was satisfied that the hall would in many ways, as well as those indicated by Mr. Gedge and others, be a source of great benefit and advantage to the parish and the surrounding districts. He should not like to sit down without mentioning that he had a letter from Mr. Lamb–(cheers)–Chairman of the Rural Sanitary Authority, expressing deep regret at not being able to be present that night. He said:—
Permit me to offer you my sincere congratulations on the completion of this long desired object, and as Chairman of the Rural Sanitary Authority to express the especial interest that is felt by that body in the completion of a building which provides for them in the largest and most central part in th er district, adequate accommodation for holding their meetings and transacting their business, and this at a rental which I trust will remunerate the Parish of Mitcham, does not increase the burdens of the other parishes.
It is of the utmost importance that there should be, in the most populous parts of the Authority’s district, a central place open at all times for transacting the business appertaining thereto, and which has hitherto been carried on at inconvenient and incommodious offices. A statement that will be appreciated when I inform you that some 4,000 visits are paid to the offices on public business every year, and that the Authority hold about 20 meetings and 60 Committee meetings in the offices, and the amount of the Authority’s increasing year by year, and had it not been for the new offices provided in the Vestry Hall the Authority must soon have sought increased accommodation elsewhere. Wishing the undertaking every success.
Mr. Bidder gave that toast, coupled with the names of “Mr. W. R. Harwood “—(cheers)—and an old and valued official in the parish, “Mr. Edwin Chart,” (Great cheers.) He remembered upwards of 40 years since, when he (the chairman) first became a resident in the parish and first went to attend the services at the parish church, a most prominent and striking object to his young mind was Mr. Edwin Chart, and the punctual
and attentive way in which he discharged his duties. They all knew for what a long series of years he had been connected–and widely connected–with the affairs of the parish, and he deeply regretted that advancing age had rendered it impossible for him to be present there that evening, and on that account he desired their sympathy. (Cheers.) He (the Chairman) thought they would also give great credit to Mr. R. M. Chart for his successful design of the hall–(cheers)–and he coupled with the toast that gentleman’s name.

This toast was honoured with the heartiest enthusiasm, and Mr. W. R. Harwood in response said that he thought that taking the whole of the local authorities of the parish together, they deserved their heartiest thanks. (Cheers.) In looking around him he saw a few present who, like himself, had spent their whole time in the place, and he asked them to carry back their memories some half-century when they were boys together. He could recollect the time when open and foul ditches were long the boast of their principal roads in that place. That had, however, given place to a system of sewers, which he thought was a very great pride to them, or should be. (Cheers.) The other little improvements and arrangements that had been brought about by the Sanitary Authority had gained their heartiest approbation. (Cheers.) If he might go through the list of those local authorities he would draw attention to the Guardians, who gave their time most ungrudgingly to the business of the parish. He would say in regard to the Lighting Inspectors that they had got their money’s worth for their money. (Laughter) They had not too, neglected education. He could recollect the time when there were very few children in the schools, now it was no uncommon thing to have something like 1,600 children in the schools in one day. With regard to the waywardens he need hardly ask the hearty recognition of the work that had been done by them. Go to what part of the parish they liked—and they would find that improvements had been made by them. They had what some of their more go-a-head neighbours had not. The neighbouring parishes of Sutton and Carshalton could hardly say they had good systems of sanitary arrangements, neither had they places in which to lay those, who departed this life, from amongst them. With regard to their excellent volunteer Fire Brigade, he thought that the work they had carried out was an admirable one. (Cheers) He had the honour of being on the committee, and he appealed to the other members present to say that the Brigade fully deserved their hearty thanks for the excellent manner in which they carried on their business. (Cheers).
The Chairman then called upon Mr. R. M. Chart, remarking that he was sure they would all wish him to convey to his father their sympathy and the hearty respect which they had for the many and numerous services which he has rendered to the parish. (Cheers).
Mr. R. M. Chart, like the previous speaker, felt a great deal of diffidence in addressing them, following as he did in the wake of an eloquent Q.C., and two most worthy members of Parliament. He had taken a great interest in the building. It had been a great source of satisfaction to him that it had arrived at a satisfactory conclusion, and especially to feel the way in which it had been appreciated. There was another matter which he would very much rather not have had to refer to that night, and that was to thank them on his father’s behalf, and in his absence he had to thank the Chairman and Mr. Harwood for the very kind manner in which they had mentioned his name. He could only wish that his father had been there, as he undoubtedly would have been had he been able. As an official of the parish he could only say that good masters generally made good men, and it was most gratifying to an official when he found that his work had some interest with his masters. (Hear.) He hoped that from that day they would have more gentlemen willing to come forward and take part in parochial government. No one knew better than an official the difficulties of local government. When Mr. Harwood mentioned that they had no less than four or five Boards governing the parish, he considered it a state of things that ought not to exist, and it was not in the interest of the ratepayers that it did so exist. Matters could be carried on much more economically if such was not the case, and if they combined and formed one or two Boards. (Cheers.)
Mr. Innes proposed “The Guests,” coupled with the name of the Rev. F. S. Legg. Mr. Innes also referred to Mr. Nobes in terms of praise remarking that he had shewn them the way in which a parish Churchwarden ought to carry out his duties. (Cheers.) He also proposed the healths of the representatives of the press.
The sentiment was cordially honoured, and the Rev. F. S. Legg, Vicar of Christ Church Mitcham, remarked that when he received the invitation to be present, he felt inclined to decline as being at the further end of the parish, and as a clergyman he thought he might be rather out of place in coming to the gathering; but their kind reception of that toast had reminded the clergy that they might perhaps feel that they had not done wrong in coming to the gathering because they had been identified, not only as neighbours, but as fellow workers with many of them. (Cheers.) He hoped that those who had the letting of the hall would encourage not only the recreational pleasures, but those that would stir up the intellectual vigour and force of that parish. Therefore, they as ministers could most cordially wish that hall a very grand and useful future. (Cheers.)

The last toast on the programme was proposed by the Vicar (the Rev. Dr. Wilson), who gave the health of “The Chairman.” He thought there were six adverbs which very well described what Mr. Bidder had been during the many years he had known him. Religiously, for he (the Vicar) could never forget how that when Mr. Bidder was a young man he used to take a class in the boys’ Sunday school of the green adjoining the hall. Socially, as many had been. He had received hospitality at Ravensbury Park on Saturday afternoons. Officially, no man had been more ready than Mr. Bidder in supporting any good cause, and he should like to take that opportunity of thanking him for the window he had placed in the Parish Church. Churchwardenly –(laughter)–for four years he had most kindly filled the office of Churchwarden. Lastly, vestry halledly—(great laughter)—for it was only through Mr. Bidder’s kindness that the completion of that hall had been accomplished. (Cheers.)

The toast was duly honoured; the guests singing “For he’s a jolly good fellow.”

Mr. BIDDER responded, assuring them all that his labours in the parish had been labours of love. He then referred to the kindness and neighbourly feeling of Mr. Pain, who had provided the fireworks which they were about to witness. The speeches were interspersed with capitally rendered songs, &c.
The party then broke up, and adjourned to the Lower Green where they swelled the enormous crowd assembled to witness the magnificent display of fireworks provided gratuitously by Mr. Pain. By the time the “Mitcham Ben” had struck, for the second time in its existence, the hour of twelve, the village had resumed its normal appearance. Mr. R. M. Chart and Mr. W. R. Harwood deserve the heartiest thanks of all who were present for their courteous performance of what might be termed the duties of M.C.’s.