1940s North Cheam

A Memory of North Cheam.

I lived in Hamilton Avenue and went to Park Farm primary and junior school as did my three younger sisters. I then went to Epsom County Grammar School, as it was then known, after passing the 11-plus in 1948.
After working in London when I Ieft school in 1953, I worked in Croydon on the Croydon Advertiser newspaper before emigrating to New Zealand in 1963. After writing a memoir of my working life as a foreign correspondent I have started writing about my childhood days and I would love to hear from anyone who remembers me.
I would particularly like to make contact with old friend Sid Kilner (Killner?) who was best man at my wedding to Frances Dowsett from Purley in 1961.
David Barber


Added 09 January 2019

#673021

Comments & Feedback

I too went to Park Farm Schools and then on to Nonsuch. Did any of your sisters go to Nonsuch? When I was a prefect there was a girl on my dinner table whose surname was Barber. A very clever girl. She also lived in Hamilton Avenue near the junction with Gander Green Lane. My aunt lived in one of the cottages in the Lane on the corner of Warner Avenue. My mother was the postmistress of North Cheam Post Office, next door to St. Anthony’s Hospital. My name then was Clare Baker.
Clare Hayling (Baker) - thanks your comment - two of my sisters Rosemary (born 1941) and Mary (1948) went to Nonsuch - I have lost your comment - at least I cannot find it in the system now - if you repeat I will forward it to my sisters.
Good to hear from you
David Barber
Hi Clare,
I am David Barber’s second sister, Rosemary, and was at Nonsuch from 1952 until 1959. My younger sister Mary followed me there immediately from 1959 until 1964. I loved Nonsuch and have reason to be very grateful to it. Mary was not as fond of it sadly. It will depend on your dates which one of us you remember at the dining table! I always had to take a packed lunch, but am not sure if she did, but I do remember I had to eat them ( usually sugar or tomato sandwiches!) in the school dining room, much to my embarrassment! I was an ardent netball player from the first form until the Upper 6th!
It would be good to exchange memories if we overlapped there?
Best wishes
Rosemary ( Barber)
I lived in London rd north cheam from 1946 till 1955, we lived above the hairdressers where my mum worked, I remember going swimming and going to the queen vic with mum and dad but cant remember what school I went to any ideas, there was two families who emigrated to Canada Barry Robbins born 1944

Add your comment

You must be signed-in to your Frith account to post a comment.

Sign-in or Register to post a Comment.

Sparked a Memory for you?

If this has sparked a memory, why not share it here?