Wimbledon, King's Mere c.1965

Photo ref: W375058

After attending Kingsley High School in Worcester Park, left there at 14 and attended Pitman's College in Wimbledon, where I learned shorthand and typing. Got me my first job in London at the tender age of 16. Don't remember much of Wimbledon, but do remember a very strict male teacher at Pitman's who would rap your knuckles if you did something wrong.

I remember 1952 the year of the great smog, making my way back from school along Dundonald Road towards my home in Graham Road. I had to follow the railings along the recreation ground because I couldn’t see my hand in front of my face - I was 5 at the time. After I married at St Marys Church up Wimbledon Hill, I moved to my first house I owned at Clarence Road where I stayed until 1978. Saturday morning ...see more

The Broadway Wimbledon was brought to a near halt in December 1952 for four days. The Gaumont cinema in the back of this photo had to close on the third day because of the smog in the auditorium. I lived in Craven Gardens and the smog was down to less of a metre in front of your face and you could not see your feet.

I left Powell Corderoy School Dorking in the summer of 1953 and started secondary school, Pelham when I was still ten. On our first day we were asked our ages. Several were twelve, most of the pupils were eleven. When finding out that I was ten the geography master volunteered to nappy change. This of course brought forth merriment and led to teasing on a grand style. After a while the teasing ...see more