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Wartime stories brought to life Many of the young men did not return home, including George Gristey (left), who served as a private in the East Surrey regiment and was killed in Belgium on June 23, 1915. see below Lest we forget A free commemorative booklet from the exhibition can be downloaded from the THCH website… www.thch.org.uk History Remembering those we lost in war A commemorative exhibition featuring East Enders who lived and died in World War I brought together a fascinating collection of stories and photos, as Laraine Clay reports. EAST Enders of World War One was compiled by housing association Tower Hamlets Community Housing (THCH) and displayed for a month at its offices in Stepney until the end of last week. And it has unearthed many stories about local people. Residents from Shadwell and Spitalfields were joined by people from the New Forest in Hampshire and even Victoria in Australia in coming forward with moving stories that were re-told in the exhibition. Cheryl Loughnane recalled the wartime stories her grandfather, Henry George Croney, would tell – including his hatred of bully beef and of the time he stole a pig from a French farm. Henry, who was also known as Harry, was born in Poplar in 1897 and served in the Royal Artillery from 1914-1918. His father ran horses and carts from the docks and, as he had worked with him since he was a child, when he enlisted in the Army – having lied about his age – he joined the Royal Artillery. After the war, Henry married Annie and worked as a haulier. Even when he retired, he kept driving as a volunteer – delivering Meals on Wheels to pensioners around the East End. Huguenot descendant George Joseph Dubock was born on December 5, 1878 at 109 Eastfield Street, Limehouse and the family moved to Mile End Old Town where he worked as a dock labourer and a road sweeper, or “scavenger”, for the council. Serving as Private 14373 in the Sixth Dorset Regiment, George was a victim of a gas attack and suffered post-traumatic stress after the war. He later became a master cabinet maker and ended his days working in Newbury, Berkshire restoring old furniture until he died in 1951. But not all the young soldiers came home. George Gristey, who was born in Hackney on March 13, 1890, served as a private in the East Surrey regiment and was killed in Belgium on June 23, 1915. He is buried at Woods Cemetery, near Ypres town centre in West Flanders. At the time of his death, George’s motherLaura Rixen lived at 20 Cranbrook Road, Green Street in Bethnal Green. Arthur Outram was born on September 20, 1890 at 25 London Street, Ratcliff, an area between Shadwell and Limehouse. Married to Ellen Callaghan (1891-1970) at St Matthew’s Church, Limehouse on November 26, 1916, Arthur was killed in Belgium less than a year later on October 10, 1917 while serving as a sergeant with the 2nd Battalion, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment. His son, also Arthur, was less than a month old when his father died. Sgt Outram, like many of his comrades, has no known grave but his name is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial in the largest British war cemetery in the world near Passendale, Belgium. His name is also listed on the memorial at St Anne’s Church, Limehouse. Although he made it home, William Polston, son of Henry and Louisa Polston of Menotti Street, Bethnal Green, died of his wounds on June 28, 1917 aged just 23. Born on March 12, 1894, he was baptised on April 1 of that year at St Andrew’s Church in Bethnal Green. William married Emily Tatum at St Andrew’s on July 16, 1916 and served as Private 252950 in the 3rd Battalion, London Regiment Royal Fusiliers. He was buried on July 6, 1917 in Farnham, Surrey. Career soldier Harry Baker, also known as Charles Henry Baker, was born on October 12, 1899 and lived at 44 Cadiz Street, off Whitehorse Lane, Stepney and served in the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders. A free commemorative booklet i s ava i l a b l e b y visiting www.thch. org.uk (Left) Henry George Croney. (Top) William Polston and Emily on their wedding day. (Above left) George Dubock and (above right) Harry Baker of the Cameron Highlanders. (Below) Arthur Outram and his wife Ellen Stay 3 weeks for the price of 2* *Valid 08/09/14 – 31/10/14. Conditions apply. At Anchor we know it’s the little things that matter In every Anchor care home you’ll find a highly skilled team that’s passionate about helping your loved one to live happily and independently, providing carefully planned support 24-hours every day. But we also know it’s the little things that can make all the difference like arranging favourite activities, making that perfect cup of tea or always finding the time for a friendly chat. 45 years’ experience. Not-for-profit. To find out more, call us free on 0808 256 2840 or visit anchor.org.uk/autumn21 Anchor Care Homes. Happy living. Silk Court 16 Ivimey Street, Bethnal Green, E2 6LR Anchor Trust registered charity no. 1052183. 12 NEWS FROM TOWER HAMLETS COUNCIL AND YOUR COMMUNITY 1 – 7 SEPTEMBER 2014


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To see the actual publication please follow the link above