Nostalgic memories of London's local history
Share your own memories of London and read what others have said
For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.
Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.
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Displaying Memories 11 - 20 of 44 in total
I was only fourteen, and wanted to be a nurse. I went to see Matron *trembles* and asked if I could do some voluntary work, which she allowed me to do for a couple of hours after school once or twice a week. I was to do drinks and flowers etc. Little did Matron know how I got sucked in because they were always short staffed. I helped the nursing staff with everything from bed baths to dressings and many other ...see more
Hello I was born in Westminster Hospital and christened in Westminster Cathedral, at the end of the war, do you have a selection of any old pictures of them both, as you will have guessed I am getting close to 70, and although I have been to the Cathedral, I have never seen the Hospital when I was born, as I believe the site has now been re developed, I now have retired and live in France Best Regards Jon Oneill
In the 1901 census my great-grandfather, Matthew Wise, was a night watchman close to the Bank of England at 6 Lothbury. I had found my grandmother as a child of 4 living with her mother Matilda and family in Hackney, but as initially I didn't know his first name I needed to carry out some detective work to find him! My grandmother married Sydney Lake in 1918.
In 1961, I became an apprentice furrier to Brainin Bothers of New Bond Street. Brainin's owned a large store (I was told it was as big as Harrods) in Russia.They escaped the Communists and moved to Vienna, only to escape Hitler in 1938. Max and Leo were the brothers and Nat Saunders was the Master Furrier. Every monday we would fill a taxi with Squirrel, Ermine and Mink coats and stoles, and deliver them to Harrods ...see more
My great uncle may be in this photo. I remember he told me that he and some of his pals walked from West Ham in the early hours of the morning and managed to get a spot on the Lambeth side of the bridge. They were just boys and came from poor backgrounds but had wracked their brains to come up with something that would contribute to the festive spirit of the day. The answer was strips of brown paper tightly ...see more
Like a previous memory, I came across the Temple Bar in Theobald's Park in Hertfordshire. At first sight, I wondered what a great reproduction it was of the original Temple Bar from the Strand. But it was the real thing, taken down because of a road widening. Years later, I came across yet another copy or reproduction in the Italianate Square just off St. Pauls, only to find that again, it was the real thing, now ...see more
I was born in the Princess Beatrice Hospital on 22nd Jan 1950. It is very strange seeing my birth place for the very first time (today - 10th Aug 2012). I don't know what happened to me immediately after my birth but 6 months later I was adopted.
Seems to be before the Alexandar Bridge was added between the railway and road bridge, it carried the railway line to Holborn.
I still can't work this out. Although a memorial to Prince Albert was discussed in 1861 (When Albert died) by the Lord Mayor at the Mansion House, it was taken over by the Palace, and as you all know the memorial was erected opposite the Albert Hall.
Alexandra railway bridge was just behind Blackfriars Road Bridge and was removed in the 1980's. I seem to remember Taylor Woodrow cut it up with machinery mounted on the rail lines, then Smit, the Dutch salvage firm came upriver and the sections were lifted over the working railway bridge into their boats. I think the Alexandra bridge had served the railway to Holborn, by the Old Bailey which was surplus, ...see more
