Rainham, Upminster Road c.1950

Photo ref: R354002

I lived in the Toy shop in the early 1950’s and went to Miss Swann’s school which I think was somewhere near the clock tower? I remember twin girls, maybe Patricia and Pauline, their father owned a timber merchants. My maiden name was Willats. Does anyone have any pictures of the shop or school or have any information that links with my memories?

I used to ride my cycle from Blacksmiths Lane in South Hornchurch to fish in Berwick Ponds in late 50's and early 60's. I have good memories of sitting on the bank on many a Sunday listening to "Round the Horn", "Billy Cotton's Band Show" and "Hancock's Half Hour" playing on my little battery transistor radio, drinking hot Bovril from my flask and dipping my cheese sandwiches in - ugh! Sometimes the ...see more

I am struggling to find much about this highly-respected doctor who lent his name to Deri Park - once home to Rainham Town football club. I know that in the 1950's he had a surgery in Rainham (Wennington Road?) and another in Blacksmiths Lane, South Hornchurch and that he was a school governor at Whybridge School. I was told by my parents that he saved my life as an infant and almost ended it several years later when I ran across the road in front of his expensive sports car! Alan Wilson

The river used our playground then before the river ingrebourne was blocked off from the tidal Thames to alleviate flooding in Rainham. Further down river were the old ww2 concrete barges that we used to clamber over while almost getting cut off by rising tide. I lived on the Dovers est. in Evansdale just off New Zealand way from 1952 to 1973..This photo brings back so many memories...