Forum Topic

Brentford Local History Day Saturday 6 June

An exhibition is being held on Saturday 6 June in Brentford Library from 11am to 4pm in the upstairs room.  The exhibition will be honouring the men from Brentford who lost their lives during the First World War and in particular those listed on the St Lawrence's Memorial.  The exhibition will also be about Brentford in general during those difficult times.  Memorabilia and family history will be on display and talks will be held throughout the day.  We are also delighted that Celia Cotton who hosts the fabulous website www.bhsproject.co.uk and her husband Richard will be coming all the way from their home town in Leicester to attend the exhibition.  We are sure lots of people would like to meet Celia who has carried out so much research on Brentford.Local historians and organisers Janet McNamara, David Bright and Peter King will also be available for their invaluable knowledge and insight.Please all come along, it should be a very interesting day.  Refreshments will be available too.Anyone who has any stories to tell or things that might be of interest we would be delighted to hear from you.

Julia Quilliam ● 6210d21 Comments

Andrew said:""This image of the poppies across the map of Brentford was by far the most powerful and really showed the huge and devastating loss of so much of a generation that the conflict brought upon Brentford.""And Andrew's so very right...the MAP is a knock out and sight of it will have you aghast.  The Map brought home to me the reality of what happened. Only about 70 poppies are allocated on the streets of Brentford so far...and there are another 100 names to research successfully.  So when 170 poppies are seen on the Map..that really will be startling.We saw 7 lads listed from Orchard Road alone..and that's a short Brentford street too!!  Nine lads listed(so far)from Whitestiles Road!! etc etc.

Jim Lawes ● 6199d

Thank you as always for the photos Jim.  As you say it was a superb event which was fascinating to walk around.This image of the poppies across the map of Brentford was by far the most powerful and really showed the huge and devastating loss of so much of a generation that the conflict brought upon Brentford.Best, Andrew

Andrew Dakers ● 6199d

Well there's a subject to study. Where were the battalions based..Hounslow Barracks for training..and then off to war? Brentford might have had a Depot.The badges and memorabilier?...the battles engaged in?. Wow there still a lot to learn. And hundreds and thousands never returning home. Sad.oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooCelia Cotton's website includes a picture of the Middlesex Regiment after WW1, attending the opening of the Great West Road..by George V in the mid 20's. Here it is..hopefuly! Thanks to the donor of the picture.

Jim Lawes ● 6199d

And apologies for not mentioning all those other names!ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooHi Audrey (in USA, an ex-York Road resident). Yes that snap was of Barclays at Kew Bridge.. wasn't there an old ABC Cafe on the left side!! ;0)  The doorway picture..as you say..was of the Horseguardsman in Ealing Road..a much missed pub.

Jim Lawes ● 6199d

Whilst the addresses are known for some 60 soldiers..a hundred more are of no known Brentford address..and that is the research that is being undertaken.

Jim Lawes ● 6199d

Jim Lawes ● 6199d

Jim Lawes ● 6199d

It would be super if some of those experts present could add  reports to this thread. They really had done masses of research..and I gather that much new information came to light. I was just an "O" level history visitor."Lots of people attended" I gather, including all the local Councillors...and there was a flotilla of local historians.. proper ones..not like me!In one corner was the Pearce family who had what seemed a table display in tribute for one of their lost family members. Did they not hear of local relations today..for the first time? Itmust have been a proud and moving day for them.oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooMost poignant ..and on display..was a large old map of Brentford with mini poppies affixed to the places where the soldiers had lived.  One is drawn to find out more about the Middlesex Regiment..and the different Battalions to which brentfordians would have joined.Take a look at this extract..the poppies having been cut out and affixed by Julie.

Jim Lawes ● 6199d

Jim Lawes ● 6199d

As Julie said in her opening message...""The exhibition will be honouring the men from Brentford who lost their lives during the First World War and in particular those listed on the St Lawrence's Memorial.  The exhibition will also be about Brentford in general during those difficult times.  Memorabilia and family history will be on display and talks will be held throughout the day.""Celia Cotton attended today of course...amongst many distinguished others.. and on her website you might have seen this fabulous picture of the Memorial currently located at St Lawrence's Church.

Jim Lawes ● 6199d

The venue:  Brentford Library TW8!!ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooPlease step inside!!It’s up the stairs!!  Gosh never been in this room before…have you?Didn’t Nowell Parr the architect do well?.. and thanks for the lolly Mr Carnegie!!

Jim Lawes ● 6199d

Isn't that "The Guardsman" in Ealing Road, Jim?

Audrey Walton ● 6201d

Kew Bridge?

Audrey Walton ● 6201d

Lovely photos, especially like the Hamilton Road one, its not changed much either.Don't forget Celia Cotton will be at the library on Saturday and looking forward to meeting everyone.

Julia Quilliam ● 6202d

Isn't there a short road named after this chap... off Eastbourne Road?

Jim Lawes ● 6202d

The plaque hangs in Reception at the Gillette Building... hang on ...that's just over the border in Isleworth!Next! An old branch of Barclays Bank?

Jim Lawes ● 6202d

Thanks Simon..Recognise this entrance? It's historic now!!

Jim Lawes ● 6202d

these photos are lovely

Simon Groves ● 6202d

Which building?

Jim Lawes ● 6202d

Hamilton Road's  VE DAY Party (photo from Cylia Cotton's website)

Jim Lawes ● 6202d

Bump

Jim Lawes ● 6202d