Living In Balham

A Memory of Balham.

I lived in Balham during the Blitz and Mum and my brother Ralph lived in Westlands Tce, which was bombed around 1944, maybe earlier. My dad was serving in the Navy.

My brother was in a boarding school in the country as he was asthmatic, but Mum and I were in the home. I was driven to a local Rest Centre and Mum followed. When my mum was recovered from her injuries, we returned to Balham to live in Endlesham Road and my brother and I attended Oldridge Road school, which was built in 1888. A Miss Pelling was headmistress at the time. She was followed by Miss Cumper or Cumber. My Brother went on to Balham High School. where he wore a Maroon Blazer which had a Viking Helmet embroidered on the pocket.

We emmigrated to Australia in 1948 as my brothers Asthma was worse. I still see the school, high street, Library, Pavilion cinema, Odeon cinema. We attended Sunday School in Endlesham Road, in a building directly opposite Oldridge Road. I attended Brownies in the Baptist Church in Ramsden Road, and my brother was in Boys Brigade there. I can't find any reference anywhere to my old school in Oldridge Road. Is it still there. Evelyn Caulfield, formerly Ibbott