Blog Archives - The Streatham Society

George Gilby

20/4/2022

The Music Hall star George Gilbey was born On This Day 20th April 1870. A resident of 8 Blakemore Road

This caricature is of the comedian George Gilbey when he was performing at the Grand Theatre of Varieties, Hanley, during the week of 26 December 1904. He was billed as ‘Mr George Gilbey. From the Principal London Variety Theatres’. This is one of the many superb caricatures of Edwardian music hall performers that were drawn by the artist George Cooke when he was based at the Grand Theatre. He compiled them in a series of albums.

Gilbey was a support act on the evening’s programme, which starred Charles Prinz and his 17 Lions. But the review in the local newspaper noted,

A patter comedian of the first water is Mr George Gilbey who was last night cheered to the echo for his account of a football match, and his no less funny song ‘Why Should I?’ Gilbey has a style all his own, and his jokes have the virtue of being strictly original.

When he appeared at the Grand the following September the reviewer noted the excellence of Gilbey as Spouty the footballer. ( Source: V and A)

Olive Gertrude Deer

20/4/2022

Olive Deer died On This Day 20th April 1983. A resident of 27 Riggindale Road with her husband George Deer MP

Olive Stoakes, she grew up in Cleethorpes She married George Deer in 1916, and became involved in the labour party.

Olive was appointed as an alderman on London County Council in 1952, serving until 1958, when she switched to become a councillor for Shoreditch and Finsbury. From 1955 to 1962, she chaired the council's Welfare Committee, then in 1962/63 she was chair of the council
(Photo Courtesy John W Brown.)

Jitterbug Marathon

19/4/2022

On This Day 19th April 1940 Jitterbug Marathon was held at the Locarno

Fascinating British Movietone clip....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNb2tGM60po

Instruction sheet, How to Dance the Jitterbug by Adele England of the Locarno School of Dancing, Streatham, SW London. 1939 available at https://www.prints-online.com/instruction-sheet-dance...

A saddler and a founder member of the Streatham Chamber of Commerce- Mr William Paul

19/4/2022

Death of William Walter Paul "Old & Respected Streatham Tradesman". A saddler and a founder member of the Streatham Chamber of Commerce.
Norwood News On This Day 19 April 1929
(Angie Boon)

Sir Gilbert Paull

18/4/2022

On This Day 18th April Sir Gilbert Paull was born. He married Maud Harris of 16 Woodbourne Ave at St Leonard's Church on 22 December 1921

Gilbert Paull was a barrister and High Court Judge

Alexander Revel Tod

18/4/2022

ALEXANDER REVEL TOD DIED ON THIS DAY 18TH APRIL 1918
Lieutenant, East Surrey Regiment
Alexander Revel Tod was a student at Alleyn’s until 1908 and lived at 6 Baldry Gardens, Streatham Common during this time. He joined the war effort as part of the East Surrey Regiment and served overseas on the Western Front as a Lieutenant. In March 1918, after strenuous service in France and Flanders, he was awarded the Military Cross for his gallantry during active operations against the enemy. Alexander continued to serve with his regiment in France until being killed just one month after receiving his MC on April 18th 1918. He is buried at Caix Commual Cemetery. (Alleyns School)

Dr Benjamin Hoadly- rector of Streatham

17/4/2022

Dr Benjamin Hoadly, Bishop of Winchester died On This Day 17 April 1761

Dr Benjamin Hoadly (1676-1761). Rector of St. Leonard's Streatham, 1710 to 1723, and chaplain to King George I. Lecturer, physician, author and satirist.

He was successively Bishop of Bangor, of Hereford, of Salisbury, and finally of Winchester.
Hoadly Road in the St Leonards ward of Streatham is named after him

Image- painting by William Hogarth with permission of Tate Gallery ©Tate

Benjamin Hoadly (1676-1761) is shown here in the robes of Bishop of Winchester and Prelate of the Order of the Garter, one of the top three dignitaries of the Anglican Church. He was famous for defending the new Hanoverian monarchy against the claims to the British throne of the Catholic Stuarts . He was also noted for supporting the supremacy of the state over the church, and for his liberal views on religious dogma. Although crippled from youth, he led an extremely active life. He loved the arts, especially the theatre, and entertained lavishly. Hogarth, who was a close friend of his two sons, painted most members of the family and often took part in their amateur theatricals.

Opening of the Tate Library Streatham

17/4/2022

17th April 1891 the Tate Library in Streatham was officially opened
Designed by the architect who also designed the Tate Gallery, Sydney R.Smith.
(Image: The Daily Graphic, 18th April 1891)

Happy Easter and Ida with an Easter Bunny

17/4/2022

Easter bunny photos of Ida Lupino who was a Holywood actress and director/producer. Ida lived in Leigham Court Road and attended St Helen's School in Streatham (Thanks Michelle Simon for the pictures)

Streatham Easter meeting at the Streatham Races On This Day 17 April 1876

17/4/2022