E17 Higham Hill, Upper Walthamstow, Walthamstow
More Memories of E17by George Robbins |
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As a child I can just remember standing on the attic windowsill supported by my Dad and seeing the smoke from Crystal Palace as it burnt down. That was in 1936. |
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At about the same time I recall a huge pet dog in the Grove Tavern, which was where my uncles went for an occasional pint. When I asked what the dog’s name was, I was told it was “Buller”. It meant nothing to me. My names for dogs were Paddy, Spot, Rover, Fido and the like. |
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Some years later, on a paper round, I delivered papers to two very nice houses at Whipps Cross. Built I imagine in about 1900, they had a semi basement, two floors and attic rooms overlooking Epping Forest. They both had, what were to me, funny sounding names; “Tugela” and “Colenso”. |
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It was only recently, while reading a book about the Boer War, that all three names clicked. “Buller” was one of the British generals involved, “Tugela” was the name of a river in Natal and “Colenso” was a township nearby. The battle there didn’t go too well for the British forces. |
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Another early wartime memory is the Parachute mine which destroyed the Lord Raglan public house and many homes and shops in Shernhall Street and the surrounding area. When the little that remained of the pub was finally demolished, the Fire Brigade filled the cellar with water as an emergency supply. What fun my mates and I had on the water, with an old door, some planks, a bit of rope and a few oil drums. Talk about “Kon-tiki”. We could have shown them a thing or two. I’m surprised none of us drowned. |
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I note from the internet, that the new Lord Raglan pub is still thriving. |
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