Letters November 2003
From:
Cllr. Paul Tyler
Re: The
RACS Archives.
I have
just negotiated a swap with Julian Watson - the RACS Political Committee
minutes (hardcopy) for Comradeship 1896-? We already have a microfilm copy of
the minutes at the History Library. The bound copy will go to Manchester. We
now have ALL the local RACS Archives in situ at Woolwich Arsenal, where
they belong. Mission accomplished! There is hardly anything at Sun Yard now; we
have found a home for all of the archives, and only the library is left. Most
of the artefacts have been sold and the photograph collection is at Dartford.
Following on from the allocation of RACS Records I have some further good news.
Next year, which is the centenary of Woolwich regional government (LCC
elections) a conference is being organised, which will be funded (hopefully) by
the Regional Coop. One the themes of the conference will be Work, Education,
and Politics 1868 - 1904. It will look at the contributions of the RACS,
and the trade union and labour movement. The conference will also address the
changing/developments London in the 1930s and 40s. It is hoped that not only
will this conference attract Coop and Labour members, but students as well. It
is being organised by Karen Froggett (Coop UK Regional Secretary), Ron Roffey,
Peter Collier (RACS Archival Assistant), and myself.
From:
Carolyn Howe
I'm not
sure whether you may be able to help, but I thought I'd try! My husband's
ancestors were Shipwrights in Deptford from 1720's through to the early
1800s. We are anxious to find out more about the Deptford Shipbuilding
industry. Any help would be appreciated.
From:
Angela Smith
I
e-Mailed you some time ago about George Mence Smith who founded a chain
of hardware stores. One of his ancestors has in her possession a book of
beautifully drawn items such as plans for what appear to be castles,
and more interestingly a plan for a canal to join the Thames across
the loop it makes at Greenwich. It would seem that it was proposed to
shorten the Thames shipping route. The plans are all dated in the 1830's and
signed G Smith. We don't know anything about them and don't think they are a G
Smith from the family. The drawings appear to have been produced by someone
with surveying in mind. Have you ever come across any plan for a canal at
Greenwich?
From:
Elizabeth Howard
Many
thanks to Mr. Philip Binns for alerting me to the fine History of Blackheath
Village and Environs, by Neil Rhind. In Vols. 1 and 3 the Bennett family
of watch and clockmakers are discussed extensively. It is clear from the
illustrations of Tranquil Vale in the 1870s that the two clocks, one above and
one overhanging the pavement, at Bennett's shop are from the same maker as the
Tower clock at Royal Arsenal Woolwich, the movement of which is dated 1836, and
the winding mechanism marked Bennett of Blackheath. I am indebted to Mr. Binns
for pointing me in the right direction and to Mr. Rhind for his marvellous book
detailing the history of the Bennett family. Never was a tenner better spent!
From:
English Heritage
This
summer has seen the publication of important consultation documents by the
DCMS, both available on their website. These are: Protecting our Historic
Environment - and the Historic Environment Records - (consultation
on the future of Sites and Monuments Records). These, together with other
changes to planning legislation, could significantly alter the ways in which
the historic environment is managed. It has been described as a once in a
generation opportunity to influence this aspect of government.
From:
David Ramzan (Charlton supporter since 1965)
I was
looking through your pages trying to find some information on the Charlton
sand pits and saw a message about the Merryweather pumping machines.
I was born in Greenwich and now live on Romney Marsh and being a Charlton
Athletic supporter I was surprised to come across a fire engine in Lydd museum
that was made by Merryweather's of Greenwich, Merryweather's were associated
with Charlton Athletic in the Club's early formation. The engine has a
lot of history behind it and is in excellent condition. In 1905 a group of
young boys from the North Charlton area of South East London formed a football
club and named it Charlton Athletic. The club played its initial matches on a
piece of waste ground owned by the Siemens telegraph works near East Street. A
committee was set up and the first headquarters was in the now demolished
public house called The Crown. Amongst the committee members was a Joe
Merryweather. Although there is no mention of his profession, a family
member of the company Merryweather's was named Joe and from the records
available, he was around at the same period of time. Joe Merryweather was
involved with the club up until at least 1914, and was the last surviving
member of this first committee until his death in 1977. A local fishmonger
Arthur Bryan was also involved with the committee. Joe's son recalls that his
father told him that the fishmonger supplied haddock to the players for
after-match suppers. This is confirmed by cartoons from the local papers of the
day, and is the origin of the club nickname 'The Addicks'. Joe
Merryweather, who was also a former timekeeper for the Boxing Board of Control,
kept the name going in later years by parading around the pitch holding up a
board with a picture of a haddock on it.
Also can
I take this opportunity to ask if you have any information on the history of
the Charlton sand pits?
From:
Andrew Hunt
From the
Nuffield Foundation we run a general interest Web site to tell people about the
way science and technology have shaped London. We also provide information
about lots of easily accessible science places and events for the public and
visitors to London. Anyone can contribute to the site and it is easy to do so.
Please consider putting in a link to our site from the links section of your
web site.
The Web
Editor writes: We don't currently operate a links section on this site. Perhaps
we should?
Ian
Barrow
My
Grandfather lived and worked in Greenwich all his life. For much of his working
life he toiled on the 'Rubbish Barges'. He was dockside-based and loaded
and levelled the loads. I would be interested to find out more about the work
he did. He died last year aged 100, so I am unable to ask him now. Can anyone
help?
From:
Mary Paterson
I have a
gold medal that belonged to my Grandfather dated 1898-9 for 'WDL Winners'.
He worked in the Arsenal at that time, and despite many hours searching
I cannot find out what WDL might have been. Can you suggest anything?
From:
John Porter
On the
river wall, at Millwall, were two marks 700 feet apart, and between them
in large letters was written,' THE GREAT EASTERN BUILT HERE 1858'. The
biggest ship in the world, built here in London, a size not exceeded for fifty
years, and now there is nothing to show for it as the words have gone. London
should be proud of Brunei's masterpiece, certainly enough to bear the cost of
re-painting the wall to remind all river users of our heritage. I can think of
no one better to campaign for this to be done than you.
From:
Keith Furlong
My father
worked man and boy at Siemens Brothers (later AEI) in Woolwich until it
closed. He has often mentioned the Engineering Society he belonged to
and wondered if it still existed. Have you any more recent information I could
use?
From:
Nicole Weller, Museum of London
This is
to introduce myself as the new Portable Antiquities Liaison Officer and
Community archaeologist for Greater London. I have been in post at the Museum
of London since 28 July. I am looking forward to setting up a working
relationship with the archaeological societies and clubs based within the
Greater London area. The main purpose of my Community Archaeologist role will
be to build upon the invaluable work of my predecessor Vanessa Bunton and to
promote the involvement of individuals and community groups in London's
archaeology and in particular by supporting local archaeological societies. At
a later date perhaps I could talk to your members about the Portable Antiquities
Scheme, the Treasure Act and any other related issues that your members would
be
From:
Chris from Downunder
I am
researching the family "Hillier". The first of my ancestors
(from Bishops Canning) to arrive in Australia came on board (a brig) "Neptune",
sailing from Deptford to Cork, Ireland and no port of call until
Sydney, Australia.
I am very
interested to acquire a sketch of the port/wharf at around this time. How they
would have travelled etc. to reach the port, and maybe info on the weather in
October, 1843. They were assisted emigrants, so they were not wealthy. Thank
you to anyone who can help me in this mammoth search.
From:
Irene and Graham
My
husband is trying to find details of the circumstances of the death of an
ancestor of his, William Walden, born about l867 possibly Charlton
Vale, Woolwich. His niece believes that William, who was a tug driver, was
killed whilst on duty on the Thames Tug "Harlow" during the
2nd World War. I understand that reports of such events may not have appeared
in newspaper articles at the time. Would you know where I might find details?
The exact status of tug drivers, and indeed tug skippers seems to be difficult
to establish. Were they qualified, and if so, by whom?
From:
Iris Bryce
Just a
quickie - as a child I often accompanied my father on his Sunday morning walks,
which included calling at one or two his favourite pubs. One of these
was the Union (now the Cutty Sark) and I would sit on one of the
wide benches that were placed outside the pub on the banks of the river. Most
of the barge builders preferred to sit outside and once or twice they were
almost too late bringing the benches up when an extra high tide was due! They
always pronounced the name as The Onion - and I heard the same name
applied in the past to a public house in Woolwich, which was situated in a
street at the back of Cuff's Departmental Store.
From:
Gary and Stella Wenko
I read an
article on the Internet from your society regarding the firm Redpath Brown.
I currently work in an aircraft hangar, an "A" Type Shed built by
Redpath Brown of 1931, to be exact, on RAF Station Mildenhall, and would very
much like to know the original purpose of the many rooms of the hangar. Any
information would be greatly appreciated.
From:
Trevor Owen
I'm
interested in finding detail of an engineer, Isaac Dixon, who sailed in
Siemens's SS Faraday in the late 19th century. Do you know where I might
be able to find records, archives, etc. which might detail Isaac's service on
the ship? And photos of the officers and crew of the ship? Do you know whether
Siemens have an archives department and how I can get in touch?
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