Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Bomb Damage Inscription on Woodlands Park Road
I'd like to share a very emotional finding we made while having some work done in the loft of our house on Woodlands Park Road.
We found inscriptions on the chimney stack, supposedly made by D Thompson in 1941, during WW2.
You can see the pictures attached.
It says (line per line)
- D. Thomps (assuming D Thompson ?)
- 4 dec 1941
- Heil Hitler (or Hell?)
- Bomb damage
- F* you
I tried to find more info about the bombings during the Blitz in Harringay but also on the Bomb Sight website where we can see the impact on Woodlands Park Road. But the dates do not match: On Bomb sight it says (Fell between Oct. 7, 1940 and June 6, 1941) but the inscription on our chimney stack says 4th Dec 1941. That's maybe just the date when he did the repair?
Not sure if this is something local historians would be interested to discuss a bit more? Also keen to find out more about D Thompson !
Has anyone else on the forum found similar inscriptions?
Tags for Forum Posts: london blitz
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Hugh on
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That's a great find, Peter, and quite topical now with the B of B interest.
I can't immediately find anything on a D Thompson at Woodlands Park Road. I've had a quick look at the 1939 Register (pretty much a pre-war census). But there are a few problems with that record. Firstly a good portion of the online version is redacted. Secondly, the records for WPR seem to be split and I can only find the evens above 54. Among the unredacted entries in that portion, there is no trace. Of course, D Thompson could have been a builder or a friend.
I also had a quick skim over the register of electors just before and after the war and couldn't see him.
Which number is the graffiti at? (Send me by DM if you prefer).
He's there somewhere, but not for the casual observer!
PS: Have flagged up your post to Bruce Castle.
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Just a thought. Do you have your deeds? If not, check the land registry, you can buy a copy of your land title for £3.00.
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Permalink Reply by Peter on
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Hi Hugh, thanks for your response. Yes, that's what I thought. D Thompson might have been a builder or a friend (or a tenant?)
Thanks for flagging up the post to Bruce Castle, I wasn't sure if that would be of interest for them.
Sorry for the stupid question, but what do you mean by B of B interest?
Thanks
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Thanks for messaging your house number. I've sent you the relevant pages for the 1939 Register and the 1947 Voters list. Nothing there for a Thompson, I'm afraid.
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Thats wonderful; a great personal comment.
I have part of a wooden crate with "meat and vegetable rations" nailed to the inside of my under-stairs cupboard for some reason, it makes a little bridge through time to the previous owners.
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Hi Maggie, that's exactly that, a bridge through time! I know these houses are very old (circa 1890 for our house) and it's a lovely reminder that other people lived here (during tough time).
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What a find Peter ! Scorch marks are clearly to be seen. I had a school mate live down Woodlands Park Road late 50s/early60s. He lived on right hand side coming from St Anns and I seem to recall pre fabs just before his house which might have been No 58 ??? (but not certain on that). Houses are much more than bricks and mortar. They can be a story book. And I think absorb energies of previous inhabitants. (I'm not "weird !). Hope to hear more of your find. Do any of your neighbours have similar sights ?
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Hi John, absolutely regarding the story book!
Actually, I didn't realize we can see scorch marks!
I've tried to find similar findings around but nothing yet. Hugh kindly got in touch with the Bruce Castle Museum and they've shared bomb logs from the area.
And the destroyed houses in the logs were where the Woodlands Park Road Nursery is now (and maybe where you recall the pre fabs but No 58 is on the other side and a bit more north). So basically, our house has probably just been slightly damaged. But the next houses on the street were not so lucky..
All this is a reminder of what people have been through around here....
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I obviously got the number hopelessly wrong then Peter. My mates house was just past prefabs on same side. Of that I am positive. So what sort of area is your house located (if not too invasive a question) ?
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