Category: West London

Following his wedding in early 1929, legendary Notting Dale boxer, Alf Mancini, was set to make his come-back against Carlo Galbusera at Rangers’ Loftus Road on 1st June. A report appeared in the West London Observer on the following Friday: ‘There were two striking features about the open-air boxing tournament which was held at the Continue reading

Earlier in the year I purchased a CD collection of old Music Hall songs entitled: ‘Hullo! London Town’, which included one from 1916 about the Bush: ‘Dear Old Shepherd’s Bush.’ Performed by Nat. D. Ayer it was co-written and composed by Nat. and Clifford F. Grey. ‘I’m so delighted, I’m so excited, With my folks Continue reading

This 1953 newspaper cutting is from a National Daily Newspaper. I think it appeared around Christmas time. ‘Tearful Lauren Roan, aged four and a half, didn’t think much of the occasion; but three-year-old Richard Marley gave Norman Wisdom grin for grin when TV visited Paddington Green Children’s Hospital yesterday. And when Norman gave his act, Continue reading

The following article appeared in the West London Observer on 28th July 1944: ‘There is someone else selling papers at the busy street corner in West London where for years “Old Stumpy”, the legless paper boy, had sat, perched on an upturned soap box, with a perpetual grin on his face and a quire of Continue reading

known my Grandfather, Harry Cecil Woodley. Over the past two years I have undertaken extensive research into my family ancestry and although it is possible to find a wealth of information on such a subject, there are some areas you are frustratingly missing. My Dad’s side of the family travelled up from a life of Continue reading

The following article appeared in the Cornish & Devon Post on 24th September 1904: ‘A serious collision occurred in Shepherd’s Bush on Friday between a motor-car and two electric cars, resulting in severe injuries to three men. It appears that the motor-car, which was a heavy one, was being driven down Goldhawk Road by Mr Continue reading

Located at 395 King Street, Hammersmith, the Commodore opened its doors in September 1929. The Cinema’s monthly publication announced that for June 1934, their ‘Big Picture Parade’ would commence on the fourth with the ‘Scotland Yard Mystery’. Starring Sir Gerald du Maurier (cert. “A”), it was to run for seven days The film was described Continue reading

Today marks the 75th anniversary of VJ Day in 1945. Emperor Hirohito had announced the surrender of Imperial Japan to the Allies and on the following Friday the West London Observer reported that: Celebrations commenced before midnight on Tuesday as soon as the radio announced that Japan had accepted the United Nations peace terms. All Continue reading

The following image and caption appeared in the Illustrated War News on 16th December 1914: ‘The Exhibition grounds at the White City at Shepherd’s Bush are no longer a haunt of light-hearted Londoners in search of amusement but are devoted to the sterner tasks of military training. Some of the large show-cases have been fitted Continue reading

Steve Still wrote the following article, which appeared in the local Gazette on 22nd December 2006: ‘The historic Hammersmith Palais dance hall looks set to be the latest London music venue to be demolished. The Marquee is long gone and the 2,000 capacity Astoria in Charing Cross Road, which has been sold by the owners, Continue reading