Pearly King of Wood Green c1930

Comment by Alan Case on November 24, 2019 at 10:19

Hello. This photo was brought to my attention by a friend and I would like to introduce you to the people in it.

This was my Nan and Grandad, Sidney and Mary Bussey, along with my Auntie Floss, formerly of Lough Road in N7, where I lived as a child too.

Auntie Floss would have been around 95 today and Judging by her age here, I would say that this photo was taken around 1933.

My Grandad was invited into the pearlies by Henry Croft, the founder of it all and they became very good friends.

Grandad collected for the PDSA and Queen Charlottes maternity hospital in Hammersmith along with many other good causes, and myself, and remaining cousins left are very proud of him. I have a shield that he received after collecting £900 for the hospital and that was a lot of money in those days.

I am attaching another picture of him out side of his house in Lough Road on his cart with his faithful pony 'Nobby'.

Thank you so much for featuring this wonderful photo of my family. My mum passed away at the grand old age of 93 this year and she wore that same set of pearls when Aunt Floss outgrew it.

Comment by Liz on November 24, 2019 at 13:01

This is wonderful Alan. Thank you for the background info to this lovely photo.

Comment by Hugh on November 24, 2019 at 13:28

Thanks so much for bringing this picture to life, Alan. Thanks also for adding another image of your grandfather.

From what you've said, it sounds like the photo is more likely to have been taken around 1930. Is that about right?

If you don't have this image and you'd like and unwatermarked copy, please le me know and I'll be happy to send you one.

Comment by Alan Case on November 24, 2019 at 17:18

Hello Hugh and Liz,

Really pleased that you love the history of this, we are so proud of Nan and Grandad.

Yes Hugh, this is around this time, the 1930's and yes I would love a copy of this photo that I could put into my family album and share with the great grandchildren in our family (I hope you don't mind but I've shared this link on facebook with the family).

Grandad was tragically killed in a traffic accident when his pony and cart were in a collision with a car in central London. My uncle, who is in the next photo that I'm attaching, with my mum, was on that cart and fortunately lived to tell the tale. Grandad was only in his early 40's.

You might well notice, my mum is wearing the same pearlies as my aunt (in the very first pic) as aunt Floss outgrew the outfit.

I hope you don't mind if I send you some more pics from my album as I think my Nan and Grandad deserve the best accolade that they could ever get, they were loved and well respected in this neck of the woods.

Best Wishes,

Alan

Comment by Hugh on November 24, 2019 at 19:10

Thanks Alan. Happy to be part of paying your Granddad tribute.

I'll email you a copy of the photo.

Comment by Alan Case on November 24, 2019 at 19:33

Many thanks Hugh.

Comment by John Shulver on May 8, 2022 at 18:03

Lovely stuff Alan and what a great find for your family album.  But sadly a tragic end to your (young) grandfather's life.  On back of the little lad's jacket seems to be PDSA outlined in pearls to further back up your notes.   I remember Pearly Kings and Queens from childhood days appearing at local events and I'm sure at our Coronation street party. 

Comment by cavendishmark on September 3, 2022 at 12:03

Thanks for posting about this Hugh/Alan. I'm also related to the Bussey family and have been doing some family research. Most of the stories I found were about the Bussey family being drunk and getting arrested so good to finally come across a positive story!

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