Some history on Greenwich in London

London | Greenwich

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© Image from author's photographic archive. DO NOT COPY

With carts and trams, this is a busy scene around Saint Alfege Church at Greenwich, a building supposedly erected on the site where the Archbishop of Canterbury was martyred in 1012, hence the dedication to Alfege. It is probable that King Henry VIII was baptised in the older structure that collapsed in a storm during 1710. The new church was designed by the architect Nicholas Hawksmoor, a former clerk to Sir Christopher Wren. Built by Edward Strong the Younger, the church was completed around 1716. Having worked closedly with Wren on some of London's churches, Hawksmoor went on to work with Sir John Vanbrugh. He was inspired by the ancient churches of Greece and the Middle East. The crypt of the church served as an air-raid shelter during World War Two. However, the church was hit by German incendiary bombs in March 1941 causing the roof to collapse and extensive damage to the interior. The church was restored by Sir Albert Richardson in 1953.¹ The English Renaissance composer Thomas Tallis was organist at St. Alfege from 1540 to 1585. Part of the keyboard from his time at the church is on display within a glass cabinet inside the building. The composer lived nearby in Stockwell Street and was a favourite of King Henry VIII for whom he played the organ in the private chapel at the nearby palace sited where the Royal Naval College is today. Thomas Tallis became known as the father of English church music.

© Image from author's photographic archive. DO NOT COPY

There is a very different view of Greenwich Pier than that of the 21st century. Indeed, a photograph from a similar position today would not afford a view of the Old Royal Naval College. I must say that I like this vista a lot more than the cluttered riverside of today. The river certainly looks better for having sailing boats rather than the modern clippers. The Royal Naval College was built on a site once occupied by Bella Court, an ancient pile built by Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester. Rebuilt by King Henry VII, it became known as Greenwich Palace. This was demolished after the English Civil War and the site used for the Royal Hospital for Seamen at Greenwich. This institution closed in 1869 and the complex was subsequently converted into a training establishment for the Royal Navy.

© Image from author's photographic archive. DO NOT COPY

This inter-war photograph was taken from Flamsteed House, the original Royal Observatory building at Greenwich. The focus of the photograph is the so-called Onion Dome which was designed specifically to house the Great Equatorial Telescope. An earlier dome was a riveted iron frame covered with papier mâché. Taking some three years to produce to perfection, the casting of the 28-inch lens was undertaken by Messrs. Chance Brothers of Birmingham. Designed by Sir Howard Grubb, the lens cost around £4,500, though this included the work on the dome, all being completed in September 1893.²

© Image from author's photographic archive. DO NOT COPY

Dating from the mid-Edwardian period, this photograph shows the cycle shop of George Hall which stood on the north side of the Old Dover Road at Greenwich. The street number of the property seemed to differ over the years but only by a few digits. Trade directories for this era listed the shop at No.43. George Hall was recorded as a cycle engineer but from the shop sign one can see that he was a retailer of other modes of transport and even flogged sewing machines. That may be George Hall stood by the entrance to the shop. The two men to the right may have worked in the business. Two young lads are proudly stood with their bicycles. George Hall sold machines made by Rover, Swift, Rudge-Whitworth, along with the lesser-known Primrose and Sparkbrook brands. Despite the latter name suggesting a Birmingham firm, the Sparkbrook machines were manufactured in Coventry, a hotbed of bicycle production during this period. George Hall was born in Swindon and, like his father, worked as an engineer on the railways. Living with his parents at Dover, he worked as an engine fitter.³ It was there that he married Eva Mary Harvey in July 1885. He continued working for the railway after the couple relocated first to Cubitt Town and then to Greenwich where Eva became a school teacher. When George Hall was developing his business she was promoted to head teacher. Her daughters also pursued a career in teaching. Son Charles joined his father in the cycle trade. Perhaps he is one of the young men stood to the right of the photograph. He and his father employed Maud Swindell as a clerk and accountant. The family lived above the shop and employed Annie Pilbeam as a servant.⁴

© Image from author's photographic archive. DO NOT COPY

In this image from the Edwardian period the photographer has captured a crowd gathered to watch the time-ball drop at Greenwich Observatory. Some toffs have been driven to the site and cannot be bothered to clamber out to mix with the riff-raff. People still try to make it up the hill in time to watch the famous Time-Ball drop. To be honest it is a bit of an anti-climax for most people who hang around for ages waiting to see this daily event. However, in days of old it was an important visual time signal that enabled navigators on ships in the Thames to check their marine chronometers.

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"Yesterday, Richard Adams, a pensioner in the Royal Hospital, aged upwards of seventy years, was charged with committing an indecent assault upon the person of Sophia Ashby, au interesting child, aged eight years. Police Constable George Pritchard, 133 R, deposed that on Saturday afternoon, between two and three o'clock, he was on duty in Greenwich Park when his attention was drawn to the prisoner by a gentleman who had observed his gross conduct. He proceeded behind some trees unobserved by the prisoner until within a short distance. The prisoner was sitting against a tree with the little girl. The witness fully described what then occurred, which is wholly unfit for publication. The child cried out, and said that she would tell her mother on her return home. Prisoner promised her some apples to be quiet, and said that she should not go to school on Monday if she was a good girl. He [the prisoner] repeated his gross conduct, and was resisted by the child as well as she was able. Witness immediately afterwards went round the tree and took the prisoner into custody, and told him he and others had witnessed his disgraceful conduct, and that he must go with him to the station-house. Mr. Traill asked what the prisoner had to say to the charge? The prisoner replied that he had nothing to say; he knew that he had done wrong, and was very sorry for it. Mr. Traill asked the child's mother if she intended to prosecute the charge at the sessions? He thought, however, as the prisoner had confessed his crime, it would save the pain of examination in another Court of a child of such tender years - a summary conviction he thought would fully answer the ends of justice. Mrs. Ashby concurred with the worthy magistrate, and begged that he would adjudicate as he might deem most advisable. Mr. Traill commented on the enormity of the prisoner's conduct and at his time of life too. The prisoner was then fined £5. for the assault, and in default of payment to be imprisoned in the House of Correction for two calendar months."
"Greenwich Indecent Assault"
Morning Post : September 23rd 1845 Page 7

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References
1. "Greenwich Ceremony" : Sevenoaks Chronicle and Kentish Advertiser; April 17th, 1953. p.4.
2. "Completion Of The Great Telescope At Greenwich" : Westminster Gazette; September 6th, 1893. p.4.
3. 1881 England Census RG 11/1000 Folio 62 : Kent > Charlton > Dover > District 1, Page 1.
4. 1911 Census Piece No.2714 : London > Greenwich East > District 28, Enumeration District 28 Schedule 292.

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