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Black Saturday - Stories from the first day of the blitz

Fri, 09/01/2015 - 10:49 — admin

Saturday 7th September 1940 — or ‘Black Saturday’ as it came to be known — marked the beginning of the Blitz on London.

View the Black Saturday exhibition

Black Saturday
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Newham In The Great War 1914 - 1918

Fri, 09/01/2015 - 10:42 — admin

Historians still dispute the importance of the various causes that led to the outbreak of World War I but they are agreed that it resulted from the clash of empires.

View the exhibition Newham In The Great War 1914 - 1918

Newham in the Great War
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West Ham Auxillary Fire Unit Circa.1939.

West Ham Auxillary Fire Unit Circa.1939.
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Beckton Road War Damage 1940

Clearing up in Beckton Road E16, after an air raid, September 7th 1940. By the end of the war in 1945 over 27% of houses in the borough had been destroyed. The figure was much higher in areas like Canning Town and Custom House, in the south of the borough.

Beckton Road War Damage 1940
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Custom House School Memorial

Memorial stone in East London Cemetery to eight Civil Defence workers who were killed during an air raid at Custom House School, April 1941. Several streets in Canning Town are named after the men, such as Appleby Road on the Keir Hardie estate.

Custom House School Memorial
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William Paton

A Christian Socialist, William Paton was known in West Ham as a 'politician, organiser, and above all as an outstanding orator.' He came to Silvertown as a Christian minister in 1934 and quickly became socially and politically active.

William Paton
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F J Eid WW2 Medals

Frederick Joseph Eid, of 37 Albert Road, Silvertown, was born on 17th July 1906 and died 16th June 1979. Mr Eid served in the Guards as a regular soldier between the wars, transferring to the Royal Tank Regiment and later to the Royal Army Service Corps (In this photograph he is wearing the RTR shoulder flash and tank badge). His medals are: 1939-45 Star; Africa Star (a clasp is missing from this, which was probably awarded for service in the 8th Army); Italy Star; the Defence Medal and War Medal.


The Eid family came to Britain from Prussia. According to the 1891 census Jacob Eid was a baker and he and his wife, Louisa, lived at 36 Andrew Street, Silvertown. The 1901 census lists the family at 40 Constance Street, as a grocer and baker. By 1949 this was Eid Bros., bakers. The family continued trading into the 1960s from a shop in Cranbrook Road, West Silvertown.


Part of Newham Heritage & Archives collection


 

F J Eid WW2 Medals
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G Broadley WW2 Medals

George Broadley was officer in charge, Stretcher Parties, West Ham Casualty Service. He was involved in incidents at South Hallsville School Holborn Road and Jersey Road.


He was awarded the George Medal 4th April 1941. The George Medal is the second highest honour for bravery for a civilian.                      Also shown is his Defence Medal which was awarded for three years service in Great Britain, six months abroad or three months in a mine or bomb-disposal units. (attachment shows reverse of the medals)


Part of Newham Heritage & Archives collection 

G Broadley WW2 Medals
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Military Medal F J Redman

Military Medal awarded to Frederick John Redman


Private F J Redman, 108395, served in 21 Machine Gun Corps. He was advanced to Acting Lance Corporal and, later, to Sergeant.


In addition to the two WW1 service medals on this web site, he also gained the Military Medal "for bravery in the field" in France during the First World War. This was announced in the London Gazette of 21st October, 1918. Unfortunately, editions of the Gazette were lost in World War 2 and the citation is not available. (attachment shows reverse of medal)


Part of Newham Heritage & Archives collection


As well as medals awarded for service in the First World War, Mr Redman further distinguished himself as a civilian in the Second World War. The George Medal (image on this web-site) was awarded when he was working at the Gas Light and Coke Company as Chief Valve-man. Redman and several other men were awarded the GM for their courageous action.


Military Medal F J Redman
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George Medal F J Redman

George Medal awarded to Frederick John Redman.


As well as medals awarded for service in the First World War, (Images on this web-site) Mr Redman further distinguished himself as a civilian in the Second World War. The George Medal was awarded when he was working at the Gas Light and Coke Company as Chief Valve-man. Redman and several other men were awarded the GM for their courageous action. The following is an extract of the report, as it relates to Redman, which appeared in the Supplement to the London Gazette of 21 March, 1941:-


Mr. Redman was responsible for saving the gas holders by turning off the valves, a long and difficult process.  To do this he worked between blazing sheds and pumping stations with bombs falling all round.  There was the added danger of exploding mains and gas fumes.  Redman displayed great courage and endurance.


(see attachment for reverse side of medal)


Part of Newham Heritage & Archives collection


 

George Medal F J Redman
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