Nostalgic memories of West Ham's local history
Share your own memories of West Ham 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 - 19 of 19 in total
I lived in Harcourt Road, there was seven children. I went to Napier Road Junior School, I also went to Fyfield in Ongar, Essex and then to Holbrook Road Secondary. At 15 I joined the Merchant Navy.
My nan lived at 10 Forest Lane, Maryland Point. Some times I would stay with her and my Auntie Conny. When my nan had her coal delivered, the coalman would lift a cover up by the side of the front door, the coal was empitied down into the cellar, the delivery men had 2 large cart horses that pulled the coal wagon along. The milkman also delivered with a horse and cart, and a bag would hang around the ...see more
I can remember my infant years at Napier Road school. I remember when I was in the first year there, we would have a small slice of toasted bread in the afternoons. Then I went to Holbrook School when I was 11. One teacher I always remember was a Mr Osmotherly, he was always a very nice kind teacher. I remember as a young child going to Angel Lane with my nan and buying grated ...see more
My paternal grandparents lived at number 29 St. Stephen's Road from about 1906 until 1944. My father and his two sisters were born in West Ham and he lived at number 29 until he married in 1934 and moved to the south side of the Thames. As a young boy he was in the choir at St. Stephen's Church. My great-aunt and her family lived at number 27 and my uncle purchased his first house in the same street, I ...see more
I remember living at no 41, Louise Road, Stratford E15, during the Blitz, and attending Water Lane School. At school each day as the teacher called out our names for Attendance, I noticed how each day the class became less and less. We were encouraged to have lunch at school (if our mums could afford it), fortunately for me mine could, but for my little friend Chris had to go ...see more
My memories of bath times goes back to when Mum would once a week fill the copper again, in the corner of the scullery. The copper was built of bricks if I remember, with a tin liner, below was an opening, where you would light a fire which would heat the water, the copper would also be used for mum's washing, which there was a lot of, having seven boys and four girls.
Mum would start to bath us all one at a time, ...see more
I have a few photos of the Coronation street party in Pond Road, great times. Then when I was married and had up till then 2 daughters we went to another street party in Pond Road for the 1977 Jubilee. My mum and dad were still living there so they paid for my daughters to join in the fun which was great. I wonder if anybody has any pics of that time, it would be great to see. Kathy
I grew up in West Ham from my birth until 1960, living at Stephens Road, Stratford. I remember going shopping with Mum to Stratford High Road, we would go to the market for all Mum's shopping. We would buy fish from Angel Lane and sometimes from a stall outside Woolworths, the shopping was done most days as we did not have a fridge, only what was a cool cupboard. While out shopping we would also go to the Lyons Tea ...see more
being a pupil at grove (or salway) primary school was handy as afterwards i would go with my mate, harry short, and visit his dad's pub, the red lion i think, opposite the theatre royal. we would play on the dumb waiter, pulling each other up and down, then go down to angel lane for pie and mash. my neighbours, the langans, used to be in charge of the theatre royal, so i was a regular visitor there too. watching many ...see more