Old Woolwich

A Memory of Woolwich.

I have such fond memories of Woolwich, I was born in 1962 in Erith Maternity Hospital in Barnehurst. I lived for a while with grandparents at General Gordan Place before my parents got their own place at 17b Glendale Road, Erith. I remember both my grandparents houses and loved visiting. The house on General Gordan Place was a army home opposite Woolwich Common and had 4 floors. Everyone that visited entered through the basement door and that's where everything happened - the kitchen and dining room were there. My grandmother was Chinese and met my grandad in China while he was fighting the Japanese; he was a Japanese pow. My granma also worked on Woolwich market in the 70's/80's on the fruit and veg stall, she was well known as Plum. My grandparents had 10 children so the house was always busy and we all came for her famous Chinese food. My maternal grandparents live in a wonderful tardis-like house, 38 Whitworth Road SE18, just off Herbert Road. It looked so small from outside.... but inside, high ceilings and the widest hall and staircase. There was a door to the cellar and garage that terrified me. I used to love going into the dining room, it was used only on Xmas eve when my parents, me and my brother went for Xmas dinner. They came to us Xmas day with my auntie Angela and on Boxing Day all my aunts/uncles and cousins descended on General Gordan Place. This went on until the council compulsory purchased those beautiful houses and built the most ugly flats and they moved to 22 Chelworth Drive, Plumstead. All my granparents are long gone and I still miss them. I have so many memories of Woolwich/Plumstead, Cuffs/Siney, Ross, the huge Co-op and the high pavement... pls feel free to email me - michaeljhedley@hotmail.co.uk