Volume 2 Issue 6 Summer 2003 CONTENTS: Editor's Page 2 More Archaeology 9 Programme 2003-04 3 Will Crooks' Election Centenary 10 London Fireman's Dog 4 On Growing up in the East End 11 Tunnel Trouble 5 Open Air Sitting Rooms for the Poor 13 Correspondence 6 New Book from the ELI-IS 15 13ook Reviews 7 Autumn Coach Trip 16 Memorial Research & Membership Renewal Form Enclosed Archaeological Gleanings S ELHS Newsletter Summer 2003 Editorial Note: Editors Note: The Newsletter is edited, typeset and produced by Rosemary Taylor with the assistance of an "History happens every day in Tower Hamlet editorial team comprising Philip Memick, Ask for last weeks local papers at the Bancroft Doreen Kendall, David Behr, and Doreen Road Library to see what I mean! "- Ray Osborne. Jefferd, great grandson of Will Crooks. Letters and articles on East End history and The ELHS were very pleased to share in the reminiscences are always welcome and we make celebrations organised by the descendants of every effort to publish suitable material. Whilst Will Crooks. Doreen Kendall, Philip Mernick hand-written articles are acceptable, items of and Doreen Osborne met the large group who interest that are typewritten or even better still, came to Tower Hamlets to see for themselves on disk will get priority!! the birthplace and the final resting place of their illustrious ancestor. Doreen gave the group a Enquiries to Doreen Kendall, 20 Puteaux House, guided tour of the cemetery and showed them Cranbrook Estate, Bethnal Green, London E2 the restored headstone on the grave. Later ORF, Tel: 0208 981 7680, or Philip Memick, Philip and Doreen showed them around various email: phMmernicks.com areas of special significance in relation to Will Crooks and his work amongst the people of the All queries regarding membership should be East End Ray Jefferd, who organised this addressed to Harold Memick, 42 Campbell family excursion, was very grateful for the time Road, Bow, London E3 4DT and trouble taken by members of the ELHS to make their outing such a memorable one. His Check out the History Societys website at report on the trip is included in this edition of www.eastIondonhistory.org.uk. the newsletter. The present committee are: Philip Mernick, Another event of great significance is the long- Chairman, Doreen Kendall, Secretary, Harold anticipated opening of the Museum in Memick, Membership, David Behr, Programme, Docklands. Housed in the old sugar Ann Sansom, Doreen Osborne, Bob Dunn, and warehouses, all that remains of what were once Rosemary Taylor. the worlds largest buildings, the Museum opened its doors to the public at the end of May. The story ofthe docks and surrounding area over the last 2,000 years unfolds across 12 galleries, a story which begins in AD43 with a Roman settlement and explains the history of the area with models, pictures and archaeological finds, with records of major events in the history of the docks, from their beginnings in 1802 to the London Docklands Development Corporation and the News International strike Subscriptions for 2003/4 at Wapping. The Museum is at No. 1 Warehouse, West India Ouay, and is open If you dont have a subscription renewal form 10am-6pm. Definitely worth a visit! with this Newsletter then you have already paid! Cover Picture Tiled panel from The Horns public house, now on the entrance wall of Whitechapel Library. 2 ELLIS Newsletter Summer 2003 Thursday 19th February 2004 EAST LONDON HISTORY SOCIETY Builders of Repute: the Story of Renders Brothers PROGRAMME 2003-04 Speaker: Josephine Boyle Thursday 11 th September 2003 Thursday 15th April 2004 Call the Midwife Brunel and The Great Eastern Speaker: Jennifer Worth Speaker: Clive Chambers Saturday 13th September 2003 Thursday 13th May 2004 Coach Trip to Woburn Abbey Open Evening — How we entertained ourselves: childrens games to street parties See back cover of newsletter for details and booking form Note: Organiser: Ann Sansom (Tel 020 8524 4506) The lectures are held on Thursday evenings at 7.30 pm in the Latimer Congregational Thursday 23" October 2003 Church Hall, Ernest Street, El. Ernest Street is between Harford Street and Whitehorse Title to be confirmed Lane, off Mile End Road (Opposite Queen Mary and Westfield College). The nearest Speaker: Tom Ridge Underground Stations are Mile End and Stepney Green. Thursday 13th November 2003 Bus No. 25. The Villages of East London The Propramme Speaker: Peter Lawrence Suggestions and ideas for future topics and/or speakers for our Lecture Programme Thursday 4th December 2003 are always welcomed. If you can suggest Power Writers- Five African Writers In someone or indeed if you would like to give a Londons East End in the Eighteenth talk yourself, please do come along to the Century Open Evening in May, and meet David Behr, our Programme co-ordinator. Five individual speakers Alternatively, email our Chairman Philip Mernick at phil(Wmemicks.com with your Thursday 29th January 2004 comments and suggestions. The Tentergrounds of East London Speaker: David Sames 3 ELHS Newsletter Summer 2003 Fireman's dog'. The London Firemans Dog Another dog was named 'BHP; he belonged to fro 4. 14 Conductor Wood, of Whitechapel. An article, Despite a variety of earlier fire-fighting methods dated 1857, is reproduced below. and organisations in London there was increasing concern about the large number of "BILL," THE FIRE-ESCAPE-MANS DOG. fires and resulting casualties, CANINE sagacity has rarely been marked by In 1826 a group of philanthropists made plans such a reward as that lately conferred upon the for the establishment of the 'Society for dog belonging to the conductor of a fire-escape Preventing the Loss of Life from Fire' which in Whitechapel The biped is, doubtless, a included the building of stations (or depots) in worthy public servant: we commend him to the the centre of districts to contain fire-fighting prize distribution of some public society; apparatus "under the care of persons properly meanwhile the quadruped has been rewarded by instructed and in constant attendance". But the the parishioners of the locality in which be has appeal launched for subscriptions was not well evinced his instinct allied to reason. We often supported and the Society soon collapsed. record and illustrate the presentation of testi- monials to individuals, but rarely, if ever, one However, the idea was revived and augmented better deserved than in the present instance. in 1836 when the 'Royal Society for the Protection of Life from Fire' was established, A few evenings since a considerable number of By the mid 1800s it had become a popular cause the parishioners assembled at the house of Mr. and its income had risen to £10,000 a year - all Upson, in High-street, Whitechapel, for the from voluntary contributions - and in addition purpose of presenting the dog "Bill" with a to the district stations, a force of 100 men memento of their appreciation of the services he manned 85 'fire escapes' (ladders). These renders at all fires in the east end of London. escapes were stationed around central London, The testimonial consisted of a chased collar, on often close to the larger churches and squares. which is engraven : "In winter they were manned by a conductor I am the fire-escape man's dog, my name is Bill from 8pm - 7am and, in summer, from 9pm until When "Fire!" Is called I am never still 8am, and the 'escape man' sitting by his ladder - I bark for my master, all dangers to brave, often with a dog for company - became one of To bring the escape—human life to save. the regular sights of London. When the alarm was raised the Fire Brigade was called from the Several of the leading parishioners were present, nearest station by one runner, while another ran and testified not merely to the great good Wood, to the escape post The conductor would whirl the fire-escape conductor and owner of the dog, his wooden rattle to summon help and as soon as had done in saving life at fires, but also to the he had a minimum of 2 volunteers to help services rendered by the dog in calling trundle the heavy escape they would set off, assistance, and running in front of the escape frequently led by the dog with a lantern in its with a lantern in his mouth. mouth". (Information from "Courage High! A History of We add a few particulars of this recipient of Firefighting in London" by Sally Holloway) human gratitude. "Bill" is of the terrier breed, and about six years old. Whenever there is an Several of these dogs became well known. One alarm of fire he is one of the first to discover it: of these, named 'Chance', had attended many he barks for assistance, and never ceases his fires and wore a collar engraved 'Stop me not clamour till, with his master and the fire-escape, but onward let me jog, for I am the London he arrives at the conflagration. No sooner is the 4 ELHS Newsletter Summer 2003 escape fixed than a race commences between the children; for saving four persons at Mr. dog and his owner—the former up the ladder, Bradley's, in the Commercial-road; a the quadruped working his way up inside the testimonial, and a sovereign, for preserving two canvas, and not always last in the ascent. A persons in Little Haley-street. He has also window is no sooner opened than in dashes Bill, received the society's testimonial for the great He examines the beds and searches every corner number of fires attended; and is to receive for the inmates, and, should he find any, soon another for saving five persons at another fire in attracts his master to the spot by loudly barking the Whitechapel-road.