Poppy and Stone

WW1

Pte Robert Wood of Amington

The story of Pte Robert Wood, a coal miner from Amington who served in WW1, was captured by the Germans, and was later a canal worker.

Graveyards

360° tour of Cole Hill Chapel Tamworth

A visit to Cole Hill Chapel, Victoria Road, Tamworth, to photograph their graves and memorials.

Me and my books

Chippendale Place, Tamworth

An example of how I start to put together a house history.

Graveyards

360° tour of Glascote's canalside Cemetery

Today I created a 360° tour of my local cemetery at Glascote. It is right beside the canal, and some true canal folk are buried here.

WW1

George Thomas French of Glascote - a WW1 veteran

The life and wartime experiences of George Thomas French of Glascote, with articles from the Tamworth Herald and my own genealogical research.

Canal Stories

George Hawkins – a true story from the Caen Hill flight

The story of George Hawkins from the Caen Hill flight. Murder, accident, or suicide? What do you think?

Canal Stories

Murder on the Llangollen Canal

This story of Thomas Newbrook of Whixall, his employer Elijah Bowers Forester, and Elijah's brother-in-law, William Powell, takes place at Round Thorn Bridge on the Llangollen Canal.

Canal Stories

The History of the Aire and Calder Navigation

A potted history of the Aire and Calder Navigation with a special focus on the companies and individuals working on the canal in 1918.

Property Info

360° tour of Tiller Girl, holiday narrowboat

Today I did some 360° photography for Tiller Girl, a gorgeous, cosy narrowboat, which owner Melanie lets out for holidays and short breaks.

WW2

Stan Boxall, Red Devil, Airborne Division

My mother met Stan Boxall at the Eagle Social and Cycling Club in Charlton, and they were together from about 1942 to 1944.

My Family History

Emma Mary Nicholls (1925–1998)

Emma Mary Nicholls, was a friend of my mother and father's during WW2. She was always known as Nick.

WW1

Private Herbert Charles Johns, 1878-1955

Private Herbert Charles Johns, 1878-1955, M2/048349, Army Service Corps.

WW2

Curly, Royal Corps of Signals

This man was known as Curly. He served in the Royal Corps of Signals, and he spent some time as a patient at the Royal Masonic Hospital in 1945.

My Family History

#4 John Joseph Green, 1898-1971

John Joseph Green was my paternal grandfather. He was always known as Jack. He was born on 22nd January 1898 in Deptford, Kent.

My Family History

Winifred Annie Mary Farmer, 1924-2023

Winifred Annie Mary Farmer, (also known as Win and Winnie), was a friend of my mother's.

My Family History

#5 Elizabeth Harvey Ellary, 1896-1986

My paternal grandmother, Elizabeth Harvey Ellary, was born on 24th April 1896 at St Nicholas, Deptford.

My Family History

#6 Henry Whitehead, 1890-1961

My grandfather Henry Whitehead was born in North Aston, a small hamlet in Oxfordshire, on 30th July 1890.

My Family History

#7 Annie Sear, 1891-1950

My grandmother Annie Whitehead, nee Sear (1891-1950)

My Family History

The story of Percy Page, 1929-1930

The tragic death of a toddler in 1930, and a questionable accusation of murder.

My Family History

Margaret Mellor and the Crested Eagle

I found several pictures of my mother's friend Margaret Mellor in our family albums. Here is part of the story of the friendship between the two families.

My Family History

The Eagle Cycling and Social Club, Charlton

My parents were members of the Eagle Cycling and Social Club, based at Church Lane, Charlton. The club was started in about 1940 by Tom Brown.

My Family History

#2 John George Green, 1923-2001

My father, John George Green, was born on 9th August 1923 in Deptford. He had two brothers, Dennis and Leslie, and a sister, Betty.

My Family History

Joan Smith nee Wesbroom, friend of my mother

Joan Margaret Wesbroom was born in Lambeth on 1st June 1923. She was a school friend of my mother's in Greenwich.

My Family History

#3 Margaret Helen Whitehead, 1923-2015

My mother lived in Greenwich throughout WW2, and celebrated VE day on the streets of London. She then served as a VAD nurse in India.

WW2

Richard Blake, North West Frontier Force Rifles - can you help?

When my mother went to India as a VAD Nurse in 1945, she was allocated a young officer as an escort, Richard Blake of the North West Frontier Force Rifles.