| The
Andrews Pages Picture Gallery : Oxfordshire |
| A selection of photographs, prints and postcards.
Some have personal or family connections |
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| East Hagbourne, Whitechapel Road, about 1912 |
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This charming view looks west along
Whitechapel Road (now Blewbury Road) towards the small mound
where the War Memorial was to be erected some years later
next to a much older, now broken, cross[1].
The trees are in full leaf and the lady cyclist approaching
the camera is wearing a white blouse so we may assume the
village is enjoying a pleasant summer day.
The small business on the immediate left carries the name
William H[enry] White who is listed, with his family, in 1911[2] as
a Saddler and Harness Maker. He was born in Chalgrove, Oxon,
in 1860 (his father being an inn keeper and harness maker)
but was in East Hagbourne 'living by the churchyard' in 1881[2] when
he was identified as a 'Sadler and Harness Maker'. He is recorded
as the same in 1911 and was the third generation, at least,
of his family to have this occupation. Four years later, in
Kelly's Directory of 1915[3],
he was a 'saddler and rope ma[ker]'. By 1939[4] he
had moved to Tadley and he died in 1943 at the age of 83.
Three bicycles are in front of his building - one attended
by a boy - and there is also an early motorcycle that is possibly
without its back wheel. We have been advised that it is a Douglas,
dating from about 1912[5].
The presence of these items suggests that William had broadened
his services to include bicycle and other repairs.
Just behind William's building the rose window
of the Methodist Chapel can be seen; it was built during the
19th century and is now a private house.
The fine white building past the chapel is Whitechapel Cottage
which dates from the mid 17th century and is Grade 2 listed.
In the distance, behind the lady cyclist, are Nos 2 and 6,
Main Road which are also Grade 2 listed.
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"East Hagbourne, Whitechapel Road". Published by A. E.
Mobbs, The Stores, East Hagbourne. Printed in England. The Seal of
Artistic British Excellence Series. Unused.
[The publisher, Mr. Albert Edward Mobbs,
was a grocer and ran the Post Office in 1915[3].]
In the collection of, provided
by and © Andy
Andrews.
Researched, written by and © Andy Andrews.
Page design © Ann Andrews.
Intended for personal use only.
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References:
[1] The remains of the corner cross,
opposite the Traveller's Welcome Inn according to late nineteenth
century directories, has been identified as such on early maps
of the village.
[2] All census returns are available
on Find My Past (link on our
Useful Sources Page).
[3] "Kelly's Directory of
Berkshire", 1915, pub. Kelly's Directories, Ltd.,
182, 183 & 184 High Holborn, London, W. C.
[4] Information from the 1939 Register,
also available on Find My Past.
[5] We are grateful to James Hewing,
Museum Director of the National Motor Cycle Museum, and his
team for their advice. |
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