Doddinghurst, Essex

Stondon Massey - the place where I was born

I was 5 years old when the Second World War started.  My father Alec Lawlor and mother Thirza Booty Lawlor along with my little brother Brian and myself were living in Bristol, West England at the time. Then my dad joined the RAF so my mother elected to go back to Stondon Massey with her family and to live with my... [more]

Mountnessing School

I was at school in the 1940s. I remember a teacher there, I believe he was a Mr Davis. I remember the annual sports, these were held on a field just a short walk from the school. The days of the great snow fall in 1947, living at Padhams Green it was a mile walk down to the village and the... [more]

Bariff's Farm

My Great Grandfather, George Collyer, farmed at Bariff's Farm, Mountnessing in the 1870's and early 1880's. He farmed 40 acres with his son Richard and a boy. Does anyone know the location of Bariff's Farm?

Children's Home in Shenfield - around 1965 - 1969

I wish to communicate with anyone who may remember a children's home that used to be located on a large field in Shenfield.

The individual wood and brick 2 floored (Swiss styled I think) homes were dotted around the perimeter and of different names. One I know was called 'Thames.'

Children from the London Borough of Hackney were... [more]

Part of my early schooldays

I remember fragments about living at Hutton - I lived in Lilian Crescent, in a new bungalow, having moved from Hawskmoor Green. I learnt to ride a Fairy cycle - as little 2 wheelers were called then - by pushing myself along with the aid of a low brick wall.
I remember my first day at school, saying prayers, and how... [more]

The Parade

We lived in the Parade, down by the station.  The fish and chip shop was run by a rather large gentleman. eventually something happened, and we took it over. The soldiers would pack it out and there would be a long queue outside on Friday nights, and anyone seeing that would think we were making money hand over fist, but in... [more]

Auntie DID have TB

I have recently been doing some research into our family history. I was always told by my mother that her elder sister, Bessie Dubora, died from complications following a tonsilectomy but, having now obtained a copy of the Death Certificate, I have discovered that she died at High Wood Hospital in 1925 from TB at the age of 12 years.[more]