Growing Up In Tottenham

A Memory of Tottenham.

Fond memories , Waltheof Avenue where myself and my nine siblings were born and brought up with all ten of us passing through Risley Avenue School between 1916 and when I left in 1945. Memory of waiting in the school hall on Sept 1st 1939 waiting to be evacuated and the day in 1944/1945 when we watched from the playground as the Tottenham Grammar School boys came home early after the school was hit by a V2. Happier memories of Biily Smarts circus in Bruce Castle park every year'

Leaving in 1945 to start at Down Lane Central in Tottenham Hale where because of the 1940 bombing the boys and girls school had been combined - even our report books were labelled Down lane Central School for girls since all the boys stock had gone up in the fire. No football all the time I was there since the pitches were still being used as allotments. Our only sport was netball but unfortunately single sex only .

Perhaps the clearest memory - living only a 15 minute walk from the Kids Corner at White Hart Lane where , from the best view we could cheer Spurs and when appropriate boo the gunners even louder.


Alan Wiltshire


Added 20 October 2014

#336831

Comments & Feedback

Well, there goes Uncle Alan...posting stuff all over the net again . I was also born in Tottenham and lived on Waltheof Avenue. We moved to Potters Bar in 1958. I left to go to the USA in 1977 and have just retired in Florida.

I remember going to Spurs games with my brother David and being lifted "over the wall" (by my "uncle" Ray - helps when your father and "uncle" were on ground duty as "Bobbies" at the time). We watched the games from a small bench on the touchlines. This would have been around 1954-55. It
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Hi Alan,
A quick question I suppose, are you in any way related to the Wiltshire Family of Roger, Herbie and Tony?
Hi mark,

These are my nephews,sons of my eldest brother Herbert who was killed in Algeria in March 1943. They were born, and lived in Waltheof Gardens about 400 yards from my home in Waltheof Avenue.
Herbert died in the mid 90's while Roger,the youngest, unfortunately died in Harlow three years ago, at his requested had quite a party at his funeral.He had two children, one a son who still lives in Essex and a daughter living in North Carolina,

The middle son Tony, now 77/78 lives in Waltham Cross.

What's your connection? If you want to get in touch direct my address is alan@heightington.wanadoo.co.uk. I shall be on holiday from Feb 9tj

Alan Wiltshire
Hello,

I'm trying to get as much information on my maternal grandmothers family. They lived at 16 Risley Avenue, Tottenham and family name was Hurry. My grandma was Caroline Hurry, she was one of 9 or 10. Parents were Walter and Minnie Hurry. One of the children, Rose, dies as a result of a bomb blast whilst she was in hospital, she was only a child. If anyone remembers them or can share any stories/memories, that would be lovely.

Tracy
I remember being at school same "year" as Walter (Wally) Hurry. He lived,then,in Tower Gardens Road.I remember watching your grandad walk by,hands in pocket wearing a flat cap,from a window of our house over a shoe repair shop in Turnant Road. I was at Risley from 1946-1950 when I was transferred to Down Lane Junior school.
I think I remermber being at Risley with a Wiltshire who had a voice impediment. Roger? Played in goal,I think!

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