This Is The House That Jack Built

A Memory of Hornchurch.

With three Christian names, William Henry John, you'd wonder why my dad chose to be called Jack. A surveyor for the county, he died in 1943; but not before building Mum and myself a bungalow at 53 Herbert Road. Back then, houses had names and mine was 'Somerleigh' (after Somerset and Leigh where Dad & Mum had lived). It was still standing the last time my daughter took a picture in 2005, but was torn down and replaced a few years later (the bungalow, not the picture!). Our phone number back in the 50's was Hch 2878. If I was good, Mum would let me put a shilling in the gas meter. Jack had also built an underground bomb shelter in the garden, and our neighbour Mrs Forrester shared it with us sometimes. Those of us who remember the war, know that Hornchurch Aerodrome was directly between London and Europe, so I am not alone in remembering the Spitfires and Lightnings that flew over--nor the Doodlebugs! After the war, just down Herbert Road--across Wingletye Lane--and down to the end of Rayburn Road--there was a giant crater, 'a bottomless pit' we called it. Today the field where it was has a gate...and I wonder if they found the crater's bottom!?
'Way before the bus route, I had to walk to North Street Primary. My first girlfriend(s) was Frances & Marie Peach--I say 'was' because they were twins and I couldn't tell which one I liked. I doubt that their house survived either, but I passed it each day for a few years. When I graduated to Dury Falls Secondary, I had a new route along Wingletye Lane. Of course it's gone now--turned into a Home for the Aged--but I see that Havering 6th Form College also took its place. How times change! I haven't been in Hornchurch since 1953 - but I can't forget those childhood memories. Thanks for this site for allowing us to share.