Dennis and Kath Peterson and cousin Jac at Speedweel House Deptford about 1949?
Dennis, Kath and Brenda Peterson at home Comet House Deptford, early 50's
Double wedding at St .Paul's Deptford 1938. Mum, Mary Johnson married Dad, Laurence (Ike) Peterson and her sister Kath Johnson married Harry Rayner.
My dad, Ike Peterson. Harry Rayner, Jimmy Daley and Dan Peterson at the stables.
My grandad Peterson , far right, ran the stables in Murrays alley off Comet St, Deptford.
Brother Dennis, 2nd left, charged 6 old pence to view the circus animals, that Billy Smarts used to stable there, while they set up on Blackheath.
Colin Peterson ( in sister Brendas arms )
The Peterson Family, from Deptford, 1954, having tea at the Halls hop farm in Marden .Kent
Holidaying at Yalding 1958. Renting this caravan behind Mays cafe.
Me, Sisters Kath and Brenda and mum. Our car Betsy, an Austin 12., at Halls farm Marden, Kent
Micky Gray from Hither Green, on Holiday in the 60's, at Leysdown.
Aunt Ada, from Downham, at Beech hop farm, Marden ,washing ready to go down the pub , The West End Tavern
Hop-picking. Kent.
The Peterson family, with 6 children. 1919. Grandad Peterson, just back from the Great war, where he was mustard gassed.
Ike Peterson and Jack Silverside outside Watergate House Deptford, where they lived.
Grandad Peterson with all of his children , My Dad Laurence, Sonny, Wally, Ada, Lil, Kit,at a picnic 1930.
great to se these pictures of old deptford,life was tough but happy, my dad was brought up in evelyn street and abinger grove, born in 1925
ReplyDeleteMy parents are both from Deptford and again lived in Evelyn street. Interesting to note that they too spent the summer months in Marden hop picking!
ReplyDeleteWonderful photographs, really capture the atmosphere of the time.
These pictures almost made me cry. I was brought up in Evelyn Street in the 50s, my mum lived in Watergate house in the 30s, and Dad lived in Edward Street. Brings back many good memories of Deptford life when everyone seemed much happier then!. I love the picture of Leysdown, we spent every summer holiday in a chalet like that one.
ReplyDeleteIt is a fabulous collection, and I was very excited to find it. But in my experience this is very typical of the quality of material out there. There must be a mountian of evocative images like this crumbling away under beds all over the country.
ReplyDeletePlease please please! get them scanned in, posted and printed.
Lovely to see.... I was born 1955 at 43, Watergate House, and my Dad before me....the memories of the early sixties in Twinkles Park and down by the river will never leave me, or allow me to forget my family, thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing these lovely old photos. My dad worked at Molins in Evelyn street during the war, and I worked there from the late 1950s. Thanks for bringing back the memories!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment.
ReplyDeleteIf you have any stories about that time, please feel free to post them here.
I remember Dennis Peterson. We lived at 35 Comet House until 1957, when my father, John Cuthbert, died at just 46 years. My mum, Louisa, was a widow at 42 years.
ReplyDeleteMy brothers, Terry and Michael,and I went to Frankham Street School.
Other surnames that come to mind, people who lived at Comet House: Gallop, Humphreys, Scanlon, Walker, Spooner, Digby, & Ovenall. There were others, of course.
Other kids on the estate: Roy Good, Charlie Hampshire, Betty James, Terry Gill, Jean Wright, Phylis Ovenall, John and Geogie Ives, Sam Pearce. Memories
hi my mum dad lived in deptford simmons or bullock, reginald road :14 or 24? please e mail me @tracy.fincham@yahoo.co.uk thank you.
DeleteYou must have known my Cousin (Auntie) Annie Wright... Her Grandmother Violet Green? My Mum was Florence Green. I still talk to my Auntie every day.... I am researching Speedwell House and those that lived there.... any memories I would love to hear.... Vivien at vburge@ec.rr.com
DeleteThanks...
i lived at speedwell house with my mother father and sister until about 1974 my surname is buckingham my father was known as nigger he came from church street my mothers maiden name was tucker her family were from the bottom of the high street my grandfather george started the st josephs boxing club we lived at 107 people i remember living in our bloke were sally slolmans 2 elderly sisters one was mrs franklin the other mrs moffat bill and may stevenson whose daughter ivy lived next door to us lil north lived on the top floor mrs smithers as well eileen silverside lived the other side of us there was another family lived above usa mother and 2 sisters they all had there own flats my father lived in the flat as a young man with an elderly couple whose name was jess and susan day
DeleteDo you remember what the houses were like in what is now the Milton Court Estate? (at the bottom of Clifton Rise.)
ReplyDeleteRemember it all well. Lived down Childeric Road in late 50s to 1973. Played in all the old derelict houses. Had many friends and little gangs. Great memories. John Holman
DeleteThis was wonderful to see how time has changed and these photographs brought back so many memories of my past it was a delight to see how some families in Deptford was brought up the same way as each other and experienced the rough times, however the happy times we all had . I would love to know if you all remember the old arches where all the totters sold their goods, put the horses away, then straight into the robin hood pub for a good earned drink HA HA good old times.
ReplyDeletethanks for the great coments.
ReplyDeleteto John, Dennis big sister Brenda remembers all those names from Comet house !!
Colin, do you remember my cousin (Auntie) Annie Wright, Jeanie was her Sister and my Grand-mother was Violet Green at 79 Speedwell House? Well my mum was Florence Green, the youngest of the lot... if you have any memories, I would love to hear, my name is Vivien (after my dad), Nobby Turner... you can email me at vburge@ec.rr.com
Deletemy nan ,mary shiret lived in speedwell most of her life.she had 2 kids. jimmy and joyce .im jimmys boy dean, would be great to hear from anyone who knew them. deanshiret@hotmail.co.uk
DeleteDoes anyone remember the Lee family at all?
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a raw provincial working on Milton Court in the 70's, I was told they were a bit of a Deptford legend.
I agree the photo's are brilliant and bring back loads of memories. John Cuthbert - I Remember lots of the names you give. We lived in Speedwell House near Jean and Annie Wright. Charlie Hampshire was a friend of my husbands Bill (Freddie) Berry. If you knew Dennis you might have known my brother in law Lennie Berry, who also lived in Comet House. My sister Jackie remembers Jennifer Spooner and also Nelly Ovenall - do they ring a bell with anyone?
ReplyDeleteJean and Annie Wright.... Annie is still alive and kicking, she is my Cousin... or I affectionately call (Aunt) she now lives in Kent. I'm Vivien, my Grand-Mother is Violet Green who lived at 79 Speedwell House... my Mum was Florence Green.... if you have stories to share, I would be grateful... mum had a best friend... she talked about her often, and I can't remember it... can you email me at vburge@ec.rr.com thanks
DeleteMore from the same collection, and more.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.flickr.com/groups/1173749@N20/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8734997@N02/sets/72157601019623369/
I used to live at the bottom of Clifton Rise in a road called Hereford Place. They were rows of railway houses which we moved into in about 1962 or 3. We moved out in 1968 and I'm not sure when they were demolished. I was amazed when I returned a few years ago that there was absolutely no sign of most of the roads I remembered - which we used to run around, playing-out in gangs of children.
ReplyDeleteBy 1972 or 3 the massive Milton Court estate had been built, with Woodpecker Road running through the middle.
ReplyDeleteThere were still some streets left one the south side of Stamford Street. But then they were demolished and only the Dewdrop Inn was left in the middle of the new Fordham Park.
There was a massive derelict area in the middle of the estate which became Milton Court Adventure Playground in the early 70's.
I was the boy who fell out the window - third floor of Speedwell House in 1947 - I was three years old. Barton is my name and I lived with my mother Lily and grandparents the Bradshaws. I had an uncle who lived with his family downstairs, Freddie Eades, and my aunt and uncle, Rosie and Lennie Miller lived with their children just round the corner.
ReplyDeleteI remember when this happened. I lived at 41 Speedwell House and my grandparents lived at 25. I was 11 years old. I remember Mrs Bradshaw walking through the square crying that her grandson had fell from the window of her flat. My name is Harry Nicholls. I remember lots of families, does anyone remember me? My dad had a stall on Douglas Street.
DeleteHiya, to whoever put this blog together - I can't believe it - the Petersons are my family! My dad was Edward "Sonny" Peterson was born on 8 Jan 1905. My name is Jackie Bouchard and I am now 52 years. If you are one of the Petersons please contact me at regbooboo@googlemail.com - I would love to hear from you. Unfortunately my Mum (Bertha - Bett) is now suffering dementia and I have lost all contact with the family.
ReplyDeleteHiya, my name is Jackie Bouchard and my Dad was Edward "Sonny" Peterson (born 1905 - died 1985). I was so pleased to see these pictures as I have never seen a picture of my Grandad Dan. My Mum has dementia and has lost all contact with the Peterson family but I would love to hear from any one of you. My email address is regbooboo@googlemail.com
ReplyDeleteJackie
ReplyDeletehi,i sent you an email with a photo on the 14th March .
colin peterson
If anyone requires any additional information on these or Jeany local links photos please contact me by email.
ReplyDeletecolincpeterson@btinternet.com
OK, who used the Deptford bagwash?
ReplyDeleteIt was an amazing place in the 70's, and a source of some very racy stories.
I remember the Diploma bagwash in Douglas Way,run by The Shears family,but that would be early 60s.
ReplyDeleteI was born in church street 191. My mother and fathers family are deptford ppl. My mother lived in Tanners Hill and my Father lived in Bawtree road. My mothers name was Adams my grandfather used to have a stall in douglas way many years ago and kept his horse at the stables His name was Robert Adams or bob to his mates if anyone remembers them reply to this note.
ReplyDeleteDoes anybody remeber the rag place in Reginald road. We used to collect rags and take them their to be weighed to get a few pennys when we were kids
ReplyDeleteyes I remember the rag place in reginald rd, actually it was in the square reginald square where all the pre-fabs were, that is where i was born and brought up, dickie wilkins was the man who worked owned the rag place. my mum was deptford born, and she used to work in the soap factory in giffin street, if anyone remember that? Mums name was katie purcell we lived at 15 reginald square with my nan.
DeleteMy Grandparents lived in Reginald Square in the prefabs , the 1st one when you came out of the pictures the back way near the clinic . Also who remembers Harriets sweet shop on the corner ? I also knew the Rag Place . My grandparents names were Maud & Philip Martin
DeleteYes I recall very well my nan (Elizabeth liza Robbins) work for Dickle Wilkins upstairs sorting out all the rags in the late 50s and 60s. We used to collect rags and silver paper and weigh in on the scales through the gate on the left hand side. Always stopped on to see Nan whilst walking around the square to the local foot clinic. My
Deleteluvly pics i remember playing in murrays alley use to work on grandads stoll tommy rutherford..lovely times
ReplyDeleteI remember Brenda Peterson when she was a bridesmaid at the wedding. I lived in Comet House at the time No 18. and my Nan and Pop lived in Speedwell House No 48. I also remember the Rayners(Valerie was a friend of mine. I remember her gran used to drink Lucozade.
ReplyDeleteI spoke to my sister Brenda (Peterson) to find out who you were. Were you related to Nellie Mummery? or lived near the Clearys (Jean & Brian)? We lived at No 6.
ReplyDeleteMagic photos. My family often talk about hop picking in Kent so it was good to put image to story. Love the photo of the chalet in Leysdown with Micky Gray.
ReplyDeletedoes anyone remember the time when the man came round to speedwell house in the 1940s with the horse drawn roundabout. He charged a penny for the kids to ride round the block. We used to be quite giddy when we got off again. Happy days.
ReplyDeleteYes I was related to Nell Mummery.she was my nan, she used to sell salads in deptford high street with my pop Bill. they rented two sheds in the block near the New Cross Empire. We were the Taylors and we lived next to the Clearys on the top floor of Comet House...I remember names of families who lived there: The Irons. The Daniels. The Clarksons (Tilly was their daughter). The Ovenalls. The Petersons did they live on the first floor? and also Polly Lumly who lived just round the corner in the bottom flat. Does anyone remember the fire in the Murrays Alley stables when horses from the dairy nearby died? We used to hitch rides on the back of the horsedrawn milk carts. I also remember the goats that chased us in Murrays Alley... and the Geese...those were the days.
ReplyDeleteCircus Elephants were once taken through the grounds of Speedwell and Comet House from the Murrays Alley Stables, I think to the New Cross Empire for the stage circus. One Elephant charged into the New Cross Post Office and a person was tragically injured. I think that was in the late l940's. Most of the children in the flats followed them through the grounds.
ReplyDeleteWonderful comments. I remember Murrays Alley(all cobblestones)it used to lead to Douglas Way and there was a chandlers at the end that used to churn out bales of hay.Does anyone remember the Blacksmiths at the far end of Deptford High Street and the Newspaper Seller at the other end opposite the Centurian pub she sold papers in the l940's and 50's and shouted out "Star News ans Standard" also the Shrimp and Winkle Stall in Reginald Road on Sundays.They were sold by the pint. We had them for our tea with bread and butter and celery.There was an Off Licence in Douglas Way and the landlady used to open up her back garden on a Sunday and we would go and buy beer and lemonade from her back window. And the showground in the High Street with the penny slot machines. How about the cinema opposite that was nicknamed "the bughutch" What a pity it's all gone now.I also remember going past the smelly soap factory in Frankham Street to get to school.Miss Taylor was the head then, later Miss G G Baldry took over and the name of the school changed to Tidemill.And what about Saturday Morning Pictures at the Cinema near Tanners Hill, not an adult in sight just loads of kids having a good time.Our family moved away in the 50's but I will never forget the community spirit of that time when eveyone looked out for each other.
ReplyDeleteThank you all for these amazing testimonies. Each one adds more colour and texture to the Deptford story.
ReplyDeleteIf anyone else has photographs of the people of Deptford, or any images which you feel would be interesting to others, please contact:
Rob.
amjamjazz@gmail.com
Hello all, these photos and your stories are wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI'm actually researching Deptford High Street and the surrounding area for a BBC2 documentary on its history. I'd love to hear from anyone with stories, photos or memories so I can tell you more about the series. Key to our approach is that we want locals or people with a connection to the place to tell the stories (as opposed to a historian 'expert', we also won't be using narration. Please do get in touch, we'd love to hear from you: jaime.taylor[at]centuryfilmsltd.com / 0207 378 6106
Many thanks
Jaime Taylor
How did your Deptford project work out in the end?
DeleteGreat memories. 5 geneartions of my family I have tracked back to Deptford. I personaly lived in New Cross Road & Childeric Road In the 50's & 60's. My Grandmother use to work at old Dickie Wilkins 'Rag and Bone' unit just of Reginald Square in Deptford High Street. We use to collect rags and old silver paper to get it weighed to make pennys! But we you to get more of a treat from my nan who use to work upstairs sorting all the clothes out. I use to love watching the live eel stall in the original market years ago. As kids we grew up on the old bomb-sites and old house that where knocked down in the lates 60's to make way for those nasty high risers. Saturday morning pictues at Deptford broadway cinema in the 60's just fabulous! and after pictures it was a good look around the nobles toy shop just round the corner on the bridge! My mother, grandparents and aunties all help run the small café ‘Keelins’ in the 60’s and 70’s just opposite the post office in New Cross Road. The large archway entrance just next door lead through to the flats above where they all lived.
ReplyDeletePicture at Speedwell house Deptford 1920. Photo of my Grandmother Eliza Beadle married to Harry Holman (born 1912) and mother to Eliza Entwistle (born 1869. John Holman johnsfortunes@yahoo.co.uk
Thanks for sharing your memories.Tom Wilkins ,my grandad(deceased)used to take me out on the horse and cart -i can still smell the stables now and again if i am around horses which is not often but i remember those times really well.I am 51 now and living in Oz and my son sometimes asks me about growing up reading your stories helps me do that thank you.
DeleteHi. My father/grandparents (Newman's) used to live in Payne Street (the road placque was outside their front door then and remains in the same spot today,despite the fact their old terraced house, along with all the others have now been pulled down) I remember it well as a kid in the 60's when we used to visit. There was a sweet shop opposite on the corner (Adolph Street i think) and up along from there, around the corner, was the most lovely fish & chip shop ran at the time by 2 brother's (fish & chips wrapped in newspaper if I remember rightly. My Nan's front door was always left open, weather permitting and at the bottom of their small backyard a few feet up was the railway line. I remember their outside loo, the only one they had. My Grandad used to sell shellfish, not sure where. It's all changed in that area now.
ReplyDeletehello.my dad was one of the brothers who ran the chip shop.
Deleteit was my grandads to start off with.you are right they where wrapped in newspaper.
im so happy that someone remembers the shop.my uncle bill lived in the shop with his family and we lived in adpolphus st.happy times as a child.
diane_shand@yahoo.com
My nan and grandad lived at 10 Payne Street, George and Maud Shalders. My nan died early 60's but my grandad lived there until th early 70's I think. I used to get fish and chips every Thursday with my mum, Glad. I think I remember the chip shop being known as Bridges. I also remember families called Izzard, Hoare and the Ellis's who lived at the Payne Street end of Octavius Street. Oh boy, I also remember the bag wash on Doiglas Way and the sweet shop which was up a couple of steps if I remember rightly. The good old days. I lived in Rolt Street just off Evelyn Street and went to Grinling Gibbons, John Evelyn and Addey & Stanhope schools from which I remember loads of names like Lamptey, Wickenden, Ide, Saxton all Deptford based kids I believe. Be nice to hear from anyone who was at these schools or in the Rolt Street area through the 60's and early 70's, I moved to Lee Green when they started knocking down the houses around Alverton Street, Etta Street and Rolt Street
Delete"Oh boy, I also remember the bag wash on Douglas Way "
DeleteThere were some bawdy stories associated with the Bagwash, weren't there?
My Dad's Mother (Rose) and Step Father (known as Orie Newman - Horace I presume) lived in Payne Street opposite the end of Adolphus Street, he sold shellfish. They had a son, named after his Dad, and two daughters, Stella and Joyce. My Dad's name was Alf and I am Linda. Both my parents have passed away and I have completely lost touch with his side of the family. It sounds as though we are talking about the same family doesn't it? How do we get in touch?
Deleteok
DeleteIam one of the Clearys we lived at no 17 comet house. Iwent hop picking with the Petersons so Brenda will know who I am. Iremember all the names mentioned and a lot more. My dad had a stall in Douglas st and one of the stables in Murrys alley. I went to Frankham st school and then on to Creek road school. Times were good then. Have enjoyed all the photoes and reading the memories of everybody else.
ReplyDeletehi beryl
ReplyDeletei can remember my mum being friends with some ovenalls
i think maureen ovenall was mums friend.her mum was ann ovenall.she also had to sons i think one was called john.i use to call her my aunty ann.if these ring any bells please get in touch.
Just looking through my nans box with love :) and just typed in 'my nan got married on 20th April 1930 St Pauls Deptford' and all this wonderfull information came up. My Nan Alice Foster lived at Hamilton Street and my gandad Fredrick Foster lived a in Douglas Street he was a butcher and my nan used to go hop picking but am not sure where. will have to get photos out because she has lots of all of here friends in front of a bus??
ReplyDeletePlease dig out as many old photos as you can. To save them, get them scanned and printed again.
ReplyDeleteThe photos here were done using professional techniques. But most people can do the same at home, using the right settings.
Let me know if you need help.
Hello, My Grandmother, Violet Green lived at 79 Speedwell House, along with her 6 Daughters and one Son, Florence, the youngest (my Mother), Sissy, Ivy, Lucy, Albert. The Girls, Anne and Jeanie White, my Dad, Vivi (Nobby) Turner. I am trying to trace back to who lives in Speedwell House at when my Grand-Mother was there.... my Cousin, who I affectionately call Aunt Anne, lives in Kent now and we talk every day... if anyone with details will email me, here in America, I would be grateful.... vburge@ec.rr.com
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting to read all this takes me back in time when I lived at 79 Speedwell House with my sister Jean and my Nan Violet Green I remember most of the people Those were the good old days Ann Wright
ReplyDeleteHi i can see on the 1937 eletrorial role Jessie Voilet Green lived at 79 the same time from grand parents and Gt grandparents lived at number 86. (King family). Does anyone remember them?
Deletetwigletmouse@yahoo.com
I am working on the first ever Deptford Heritage festival 1-4 May 2015 and as part of festival we are producing a coffee table history book in pictures of Deptford past and present. we are keen to use pictures that name places and streets in deptford such as the wonderful Double wedding picture. Could you let us publish this and any others that give a road, street or buiding in SE8.
ReplyDeleteEmail deptfordheritagefestival@aol.com We would give your site a free listing and crdit for pictures used.
Granted Ray. Colin Peterson.
DeleteReading some of the posts have brought back memories of Deptford, I lived at 56 Adolphus St opposite the entrance to the flats, went to Grinling Gibbons,John Evelyn,Stanley St, South East London Tech schools then the college in Lewisham Way. I had a saturday job in Howels Butchers ( Frank,Ron,Fred,Terry) at the bottom end of Deptford High St,and would deliver the meat orders all around the town on the pushbike (just like Granville in Open All Hours). My Daughter has asked my wife and i to do our own memory books and just thinking back, one thought triggers another from those early years so it could be a long book to embark on. I can confirm it was Bridges the Fish & Chip shop at the top of Adolphus St.
ReplyDeleteany one remember charly the tramp
ReplyDeleteTo be fair, there were more than a few, with Carrington House and all.
DeleteYeah I remember him, can picture him clearly. Thick matted long dark hair and heavy coat. Absolutely filthy he was. Used to see him about all the time when I was a kid.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI & My Family (Berthelemy/Johnson/Neal/Wilford/Nicholls) Have A Long Long Connection With Deptford Which I Will Put On This Blog At Some Period Along With Some Pics But Re Tramps My First Job Was As A Grease Monkey Bout 1966 For Reggie & Sam Turner At The New Cross Empire Service Station, New Cross Rd ( Site Of The Old New Cross Empire) there was a A Guy Who Would Turn Up In A Suit/top hat white Shirt & tie with a suitcase /walking Cane & small dog to Wash Our cars We Had For Sale, Never Ever Said A Word, He Would Take Off His Hat/jacket Roll Up His Shirt Sleeves & Start, The Dog Sat Next To The case & Did Not move, When He Was Finished He Would Put On His Coat & Hat Reggie Would Drop Him A Few Coins & Off They Would Trot, Never Smiled Never Spoke
ReplyDeleteReggie Said It Was The War !!!!!!!!!!!! He Called Him Jack I Think
Sad
Steveberthelemy@hotmail.com
Nicholls, Steve? That surname is ringing a bell way back - back to my ancestry file . . . when I have time!
DeleteSteve,
ReplyDeleteThanks for that story. It would be great if you had any images to post. Let me know what you decide.
Great photos,especially the 'hoppers'.I lived off the Lee High Rd in Lewisham and we kids would sit on a wall and wave to the lorries going past with men women and children packed on the back.(no health and safety then!) From about 1956 my mother was the Headmistress of Lucas Vale school in Deptford,and I visited and 'helped 'in some classes when my own school had broken up.She retired in 1966.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos,especially the 'hoppers'.I lived off the Lee High Rd in Lewisham and we kids would sit on a wall and wave to the lorries going past with men women and children packed on the back.(no health and safety then!) From about 1956 my mother was the Headmistress of Lucas Vale school in Deptford,and I visited and 'helped 'in some classes when my own school had broken up.She retired in 1966.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos,especially the 'hoppers'.I lived off the Lee High Rd in Lewisham and we kids would sit on a wall and wave to the lorries going past with men women and children packed on the back.(no health and safety then!) From about 1956 my mother was the Headmistress of Lucas Vale school in Deptford,and I visited and 'helped 'in some classes when my own school had broken up.She retired in 1966.
ReplyDeleteI lived at number 62 Speedwell House. I moved there from Oxten Shorditch in 1947 with my brothers John and Roy Good. Also my sisters Vera and June and myself Doreen Good. I lived there until 1957 I have some lovely memories of the area.
ReplyDeleteIi lived at 62 speedwell house we moved there in 1947 from hoxton shorditch we moved there with my brothers John and roy good and my sister vera and June and myself Doreen good I lived there till I got married in 1957 but have some lovely memories of those years
ReplyDeletePlease share som emore memories. They're all different and special.
Delete