Great Baddow is full of history and recently some old photos
were donated showing scenes from the centre of the village around the
time of the First World War 1914-1918. These old photos are provided in
the hope they may appeal to those interested in the
social life of the village in the early part of the last century, and
prompt anyone else with similar images to provide them for archiving.
We are also interested in any documents relating to the history of the village
and are delighted to have been supplied by
Roger Smith with transcripts of two old letters. Roger's Great Uncle Bill mentioned the Vineyards in his 1918 correspondence home. Bill was a driver with the 37 Squadron Royal Flying Corp.
[From records held in the National Archives: 50 Wing RFC was formed on 28 Aug 1917 at Adastral House in London. It comprised of three Home Defence Squadrons, 37 Squad: 61 Squad & 75 Squad. On the 26 March 1918 the HQ was transferred to Great Baddow.]
The first image shows
the White
Horse pub at the time of the First World War. Soldiers are standing in
the doorway and a small child is standing with an adult civilian in the
roadway. Beyond is Vicarage Lane. Galleywood road corner with an
advertisement for the property on the corner reading "To be sold"...
The pub itself is easily recognisable.
The second picture
shows a very
leafy and rural Vicarage Lane. The location is not easily identified -
anyone with knowledge of the precise spot is invited to email
the web
manager.
The third photo shows
an easily
recognisable image of the Blue Lion pub, taken before 1917.
The property to the left of the pub no longer exists
but that on the right of the picture is occupied today as
offices. Note the advertisement for refreshments, 'tea room'
and the advertising hoarding across the roof line
for
'sparking ales and stout, wines and spirits'. Also observe the
telegraph pole, most of which have now disappeared with the
advent of underground cables.
The final fourth
picture shows
New Road - only properties on the right hand side facing away
from the Vineyards had been built. Most of these remain
relatively unchanged today and those with the porch canopies remain
identifiable.
Collectively the four pictures show the more rural
aspect of
the village from a century ago; anyone with more information
or additional pictures is invited to get in
touch.
For a larger image click on the picture to open a larger version.
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The first image shows
the White
Horse pub at the time of the First World War. Soldiers are standing in
the doorway and a small child is standing with an adult civilian in the
roadway. Beyond is Vicarage Lane. Galleywood road corner with an
advertisement for the property on the corner reading "To be sold"...
The pub itself is easily recognisable.
The second picture
shows a very
leafy and rural Vicarage Lane. The location is not easily identified -
anyone with knowledge of the precise spot is invited to email
the web
manager.
The final fourth
picture shows
New Road - only properties on the right hand side facing away
from the Vineyards had been built. Most of these remain
relatively unchanged today and those with the porch canopies remain
identifiable.