We’re holding the AGM on 19 May 2009. 7pm at Paddington Sports Club on Castellain Road. We’ve commissioned an independent surveyor to assess the condition of the estate and draw up a ten year maintenance plan. Please come to the AGM if you can as decisions about the extent and timing of major works project have a financial impact on all of us.
Page 8 of 13
Water mains
Following an inspection by an independent engineer, a number of questions were raised with the project engineer (Max Fordham). These were all answered satisfactorily and it was agreed to begin connecting flats to the new system.
To help flat owners, it was agreed that the company should pay for a survey of each flat to explain what modifications may be necessary to internal pipework. In addition, it was agreed to offer £100 to each flat that connected to the new system before December 2009 as an incentive to get the project moving ahead quickly. These activities will be funded from AML’s money, ie the accumulated ground rents, and not from the service charge account.
Building work
Gullies – the additional work to the gullies is now complete and the surveyor has recently asked for the contractors to return to repair some minor defects that he was not happy with.
Garden Gates – Daron is making progress with the painting of the garden gates although he is thorough in what he has prepared so far. Quotations to paint all of the railings have been requested.
Garden lighting – It was agreed to prioritise the reinstatement of the garden lighting. Quotes from two different contractors have been requested to get the lights in the enclosed garden working again.
Trees – It was agreed to get quotes to prune two of the larger trees in the communal garden
Damage to stonework (corner of Elgin Avenue and Biddulph Road) – There is considerable damage to the stonework at top of the building. It looks as though water has got in under the stonework and during the recent frosty weather it has caused some of the stonework to drop off. Nigel King attended and has knocked off all of the loose stone so that it is no longer dangerous. Contractors will be asked to make good but scaffolding will be required.
Loft access – locks have been put onto all of the roof hatches. It was agreed to remove the loft ladders. Daron will provide a step ladder for contractors that need access to the roofs.
Manhole covers – instructions have been given to repair the (sunken) man holes around the communal garden and to repair the uneven paving slabs in the same areas.
Snow – the Chairman thanked Daron for his help with the snow during the recent bad weather
Block entrances – an estimate has been requested to make good the brickwork and to repair the side walls and to repaint.
Block 5 – the managing agent was asked to ensure that the damage to the lobby following builders work carried out by contractors in respect of flat refurbishment was made good at the expense of the flat owners.
Boundary Walls – Daron will jet clean the boundary walls once the weather improves.
Company business
Porter’s Flat – the signed lease has been sent back to Teacher Stern who is waiting for confirmation from the Freeholder’s Solicitor that the matter is complete. Once we receive this we can go ahead and recover back dated major repair service charges.
Arrears – it was noted that the arrears have increased this quarter. The agent was asked to make a concerted effort to reduce the arrears considerably by the end of the quarter.
Invoices – it was agreed that one of the director would to inspect the invoices at KFH offices.
Individual flats
The owner of one flat has asked for permission to remove one of the chimney breasts in his flat. Morrish and Partners have provided a report and the owner can go ahead.
The owner of two other flats has still not provided the final documents to enable a licence to be drawn up.
Damp to ground floor flats – Richard Egan has inspected two garden flats because of damp ingress. Arrangements are being made to carry out the recommendations in the report.
Woodwork Repairs – Manilva have yet to complete the woodwork repairs to three flats in block one. The agent was asked to chase Manilva as this repair has taken a very long time.
Surveyors
New surveyors Stiles Harold Williams were appointed to draw up a ten year plan. A meeting and inspection of the building took place on Thursday 12 February at Ashworth Mansions. SHW will present their findings to the board at its March meeting and the flat owners at the AGM in May. SHW will use their mechanical engineer to look at the boiler, and to incorporate the costs into the 10 year plan.
Water Mains
The board is concerned at the slow pace of the project and has asked kfh to take over management of it. An independent engineer’s opinion will be sought and discussed at the December meeting.
Company Business
The auditor has valued shares at £1725. It was agreed to write to all non-shareholding flat owners to see if they would like to buy one.
According to the leases, ground rent should rise from £100 to £200 this year. It was agreed to waive this increase for the time being and consult with shareholders at the AGM next May.
A small deficit of £8K was incurred in the 06/07 accounts and was scheduled to be charged to flat owners in December 2008. Initial indications are that we ran a surplus in 07/08 and the managing agents were asked to carry the deficit forward rather than charging it.
The agreement with the former freeholder for a new lease on the porter’s flat states that the former freeholder will pay major works service charges including contributions to the sinking fund. Ashworth Mansions Ltd will pay the regular service charge. It was agreed that this money will come from regular repayments for the loan made by AML to the service charge at the time of the 2001/2 major works. There are sufficient funds to last for over 10 years.
Hot Water Review
It was agreed that we should write to flat owners on the hot water system to explain our board’s conclusion that a move to independent heating was not feasible.
Asbestos Removal
Following advice from kfh, it was agreed not to pursue the former freeholder for the cost of asbestos removal from the bike store as there are no legal grounds for recovery.
New surveyors
The board agreed that appointment of new surveyors was a matter of urgency. Two directors agreed to interview shortlisted candidates and report back to the next meeting.
Building work
It was agreed to proceed with woodwork repairs to flats 8, 8a and 9 at a cost of £1100 + VAT.
There have been continued problems with the emergency lighting. The units are expensive (£21 each to replace) but keep failing. An electrical test has shown that the units are correctly fitted.
The front doors have been repainted satisfactorily.
Following redecorations to three flats in block five, the stairwell decoration has been damaged and the interior lightwell left full of building materials. The managing agent was asked to ensure that the relevant flat owners made good the damage.
Finance
Asbestos – Freshwater has refused to pay for the removal of the asbestos from the bike sheds. The board asked the managing agent to clarify the legal position.
Caretaker’s flat – the board agreed to proceed with the signing of the new lease on the flat with Freshwater. Our lawyers have confirmed that Freshwater must pay contributions to the reserve fund but not to the service charge account.
Budget – a draft budget for 08/09 was discussed and was broadly endorsed by the board. However, the board decided that the managing agent needed to circulate a final estimate of spending in 07/08 before it could be signed off.
Building works
Entrance doors – in the event of a power failure the main entrance doors will not open (from the outside) with the fobs. The managing agents were asked to investigate back-up systems.
Internal redecoration – the board agreed to release the final £1000 retention to the contractors (Manilva) following the final completion of some minor snagging items. The managing agents were asked to proceed with the repainting of the main entrance doors.
Light fittings – the emergency light fittings have been failing repeatedly despite a claimed 3 -4 year lifespan. The units are expensive (£21 each) and it was agreed to get the wiring checked before going ahead with replacements.
Water Mains – the main contractor has quoted to draw up plans of the existing supply to each flat. The board felt that this was an expensive approach and requested alternatives.
Drains – Waterflow (the contractor) will replace the two gullies outside flat 56a and replace a defective down pipe outside block one. The cost of £7K is covered by the existing contract.
Garden gates – new locks have been fitted and the supplier has returned to site to make them more secure. The managing agent was asked to ensure that the locks were painted.
Individual flats
Satellite TV – the managing agents wrote to flat owners to gauge interest in the Hot Bird satellite. Only two flat replied in the affirmative so the idea will not be pursued.
Flat owner works in block 5 – two flats in block five have been redecorated and the carpet/stairwell has been damaged. The managing agent was asked to recover the costs of repairing the damage from the flats concerned.
Block 3 – Residents of block three have asked whether a passage way can be opened up from their stairwell to the garden through the old bike sheds. After some discussion, the board agreed that it had no objections in principle to the scheme but noted that the leasehold on the bike shed belonged to Freshwater.
Company business
Chairman – John Sutcliffe resigned as chairman of Ashworth Mansions Ltd due to pressure of other work commitments. The board thanked him for his hard work and unanimously elected Geoffrey Barraclough in his place.
Coal stores – ownership of the coal stores has still not been established as they do not appear on any plans.
One resident had enquired whether it was possible to connect the block to the Hotbird satellite signals. It was agreed to write to residents to gauge the extent of interest. It was further agreed that any eventual installation would not be a service charge item.
It was agreed to repaint the main entrance doors. One quote has been received and a further one has been requested.
A large number of the emergency lights have failed inexplicably. It was agreed to approach the manufacturer directly to try to resolve the problem.
The board was updated on the progress of the water mains project (see below)
The managing agent continues to chase Freshwater for payments related to the removal of asbestos from the bike shed in 2007.
The drainage repairs have been completed satisfactorily. The contractor has also been asked to quote to replace two gulleys to the rear of block 7 and to replace a section of downpipe at the rear of block 2.
Porters Flat – terms have largely been agreed with Freshwater for the renewal of the lease on the porter’s flat.
Coal stores – lawyers have been instructed to ascertain ownership of the coal stores on the Grantully side. It was agreed to guage the interest of residents in renting the stores should this be feasible.
A licence was granted to one flat for a remodelled bathroom.
Estimates have been received to replace the garden gate locks. It was agreed to proceed with the cheapest quote.
No home has yet been found for the unwanted bicycles.
The auditor has given an opinion on the value of shares in Ashworth Mansions Ltd. One further legal opinion is required before the board felt confident in giving a valuation. Three flat owners have expressed interest in purchasing one.
Flat owners in block 3 have asked whether they can re-open a doorway onto the communal garden through the old bike shed. After some discussion, the board had no objections in principle noting that the leasehold on the bike shed was owned by Freshwater. The flat owners were invited to revert with detailed plans.
New legislations means that company’s of Ashworth’s size need not hold annual general meetings. It was agreed to proceed with one in 2009 irrespective of this change and to try to increase attendance through better marketing.
It was agreed to pay the auditor’s invoice for the 2006/7 accounts.
It was cloudy and not really very warm. But we’ve acquired a rather natty marquee and the rain held off so Ashworth Mansions residents of all ages thoroughly enjoyed the annual garden party. Many thanks to Natasha Keats for organising the event and to husband Ben for manning the barbecue. We’re also grateful to our sponsors: Greene and Co and kfh.
The project is finally nearing completion with only a few minor details to attend to before we can turn our attention to the serious business of connecting flats to the new supply. The final work may still take a little time and we appreciate your patience.
We now have a connection through the wall of the boiler room that joins with the Thames Water main on Biddulph Road. You will see from the photo that it is not yet connected to our internal pipework as we are still waiting for Thames Water to make the final join and to fit a water meter.
The break tank (below) is full installed. This will be filled from the mains to give Ashworth Mansions a steady reserve of water so that we can maintain pressure at all times.
The pumps (below) are also fully installed. These will supply water from the break tank through the pipework that runs at the back of each block and then into the individual flats themselves. The pumps will be sound proofed to keep the noise down and we are still awaiting this material.
Finally, we are beginning the detailed planning of how and when each flat can connect to the new system. We will be issuing plenty of communication on this subject including detailed FAQ’s but will hold off on this until the new system is fully functioning and tested.
The Ashworth Mansions summer party will be held on Saturday 21 June in the garden. We’re all hoping for much improved weather after last year’s continuous downpour.
If you’re able to help organise the party, please get in touch with Natasha Keats party@ashworthmansions.com.
Finance
The service charge accounts for the year ending September 2007 were presented. These have been audited and will be circulated to flat owners.
Internal decoration
There is still a small outstanding amount held against the payment to the contractor for the interior redecoration. The board agreed not to release this until snagging is completed.
Water mains
It was agreed to take advice from BTU (the contractor installing the new pump and break tanks) about the best way to get the flats connected to the new system once it is up and running.
Asbestos
Freshwater is yet to respond to our request for reimbursement of the cost of asbestos removal from the bike shed. The managing agent was asked to chase this. Meanwhile, Air Surveys have finished the work.
Drain repairs
It was agreed to proceed with the drain repairs as soon as possible.
Porter’s flat
The board agreed to the new rent proposed by Freshwater – £18K p.a. compared to £12K hitherto. Having taken professional advice, the board feels that the higher figure is a fair reflection of the market value of the flat. However, a couple of other conditions on the proposed contract remain unacceptable and the managing agent was asked to review these with Freshwater.
Individual flats
One flat owner applied to install a wet room. The board asked the flat owner to put forward new plans which would no longer require the installation of a pump unit to dispose of the waste.
One flat owner is suffering from severe noise nuisance from a musician (tenant) in a neighbouring flat. The managing agent has written to the musician’s landlord. The flat owner has been advised to contact Westminster Council.
Three different flats have reported leaking balconies. The contractor has recommended a new sealant and it was agreed to use this subject to it being a reasonable cost.
Building works
The managing agents were asked to implement the recommendations of the recent health and safety report. This mainly involved repairs to the casing of electrical installations.
It was agreed that the garden lighting cables should be properly buried. The managing agent was asked to obtain quotes for this.
None of the abandoned bicycles has been claimed. The managing agent is trying to find a charity who might be interested in taking them off our hands.
AML shares
It was agreed to proceed with the sales of AML shares. The auditor will be instructed to produce a valuation based on the asset value of the shares. Flat owners interested should contact the company secretary.
Coal stores
One flat owner had enquired whether the coal stores beneath the Grantully Road frontage were available for purchase/rent. Daron has cleaned these out and they could potentially make good storage. There was much discussion and it was agreed to continue the debate at a future meeting.
Some months ago a gentleman in his late 60’s called on the caretaker to ask if he could look around the gardens, explaining that as a child he had been brought up in Ashworth Mansions. He now lived in Australia, but was visiting relatives in the UK and wanted to see his old home. He told Daron about how he and other kids from the block had done all of the normal things children do. They had played hide and seek in the gardens, drawn chalk animals on the walls, run around and shouted (and no doubt some residents were disturbed by the noise and complained). He had happy memories of his childhood here in the early 1940’s, but his story had a sad twist because, as he explained, one of his young friends had been killed when a bomb hit Ashworth Mansions, causing terrible devastation. The gentleman left Daron wondering if this was a tall story or whether the building really had been attacked in the Second World War…
There were already rumours around the block that something like this had happened, and there are some odd, structural features distinguishing the Ashworth Road end of the buildings from the rest. One account had it that the building had been hit late in the war by one of the V weapons and was later rebuilt. Some amateur research carried out by a couple of Ashworth residents has now thrown up the outlines of a remarkable and traumatic night, but one which was suffered by so many. It turns out that Daron’s gentleman was telling nothing but the truth. This is Ashworth Mansions’ wartime story.
The V1 flying bomb (doodlebug or buzz bomb) was Hitler’s first ‘revenge weapon’ that he hoped would turn the tide of the war. Almost 30,000 V-1s were made, mostly by slave labourers. Approximately 10,000 were fired at England; 2,419 reached London (5 hit the Borough of Paddington), killing about 6,184 people and injuring 17,981. They flew at around 400 m.p.h. at an altitude of between 2,000 and 3,000 feet. Each carried a warhead containing a ton of an early, but potent high explosive called amatol. As it approached its target a timing mechanism connected to a spinning vane in the nose of the weapon would force the V1 into a powered dive. The V1 would strike its target and explode with pretty much the same energy as one of the aircraft that hit the World Trade Centre on 9/11. The versions fired at London in June 1944 had a fault that meant they were all but silent in their terminal dive, and were often not heard by those they hit.
Residents of Ashworth Mansions going to bed on the night of 22 June 1944 would probably have felt that the worst of the war was behind them. The building itself had been spared the blitz – the nearest damage had been on Lauderdale and Essendine Roads, or along Carlton Vale on the far side of Paddington Recreation Ground. Rome had fallen on 4 June. The Allies were ashore in Normandy, with their flanks secure and preparing for the savage battle to break out of the beach-head. In the East the Army was annihilating the Wehrmacht.
But there had been a worrying development. The first ten V1’s were launched against England nine days previously. V1’s hit London on 13 June, killing six people in Hackney. By 15 June the Nazis were able to launch hundreds every day from launch sites in the Pas de Calais area of France. Rumours had flown around London that large numbers of German aircraft had crashed, causing extensive damage, but on 16 June the population was told that these new air attacks were not carried out by conventional aircraft but were instead Hitler’s new secret weapon.
By 21 June the barrage balloons defending London had been moved to a line along the North Downs in Kent in order to intercept the weapons. Eventually, nearly 90% of incoming V1’s were stopped in this way or by anti-aircraft guns and stripped-down spitfires that – incredibly – flew alongside the V1 in a special high-speed air corridor, touched and flipped the flying bomb’s wings over causing it to crash. In the early phases of the V1 attacks London’s defences were nowhere near as good though. A few minutes before 2 in the morning on 23 June one slipped past the barrage balloons, heading for west London.
Where exactly a V1 struck depended on an adjustment made by a German engineer just before launch. The engineer would turn a screw clockwise or counterclockwise for a longer or shorter flight. A tiny twist this way or that would mean 100’s of feet shorter or longer of flight. Had this unknown engineer twisted just a little further then the V1 would have landed smack in the middle of the garden and there would have been no more Ashworth Mansions as we know them. As fate would have it his adjustments meant that at 02.04 on 23 June 1944 a ton of high explosive struck the ground at 400 m.p.h. and detonated, half way along and next to the railings between the Ashworth Mansions garden on the pavement along Ashworth Road, slightly nearer Elgin Avenue than Grantully Road.
Gillian Lewis takes up the story:
“In 1944 our family lived in Ashworth Mansions. I cannot remember the number, but we lived on the second floor. My grandparents, Benjamin and Cissie Lewis, and my cousin, Teresa Feri (aged nine) lived in a flat [at the corner of Ashworth Road and Elgin Avenue]. Not only was Teresa my cousin she was also my friend and we went everywhere together and to the same school and she introduced me to the local brownie group (St John’s Wood).
I remember being woken up by my father and my bed being covered in glass. I recall our family making our way down to Maida Vale Tube station. My grandparents’ flat and that section of Ashworth Mansions being ablaze. I kept asking my father, ‘will Teresa be coming?’, but my grandparents and my cousin were killed. We spent the night in Maida vale underground station. I found out that my Grandparents were buried in the Jewish Cemetery in East Ham, a most depressing place, not a single flower in sight. Teresa, being half Italian, must have been buried somewhere else, possibly a children’s mass grave. I no longer live in the area, but Elgin Avenue & Ashworth Mansions and the whole area as it used to be holds a special place in my heart.”
215 Elgin Avenue was destroyed. That end of Ashworth Mansions was damaged beyond repair and much of the rest of the building was seriously affected. Sadly, a total of seven people in Ashworth Mansions were killed and thirteen were injured. The buildings were left mostly uninhabitable and only block five on the corner of Biddulph Road and Elgin Avenue had anybody living in it 1945.
After the war the building was reconstructed, pretty much as it had been before, but if you look carefully you can see the differences – a railing here of there does not quite match; there are some suggestive lines in the brickwork; the trees on Ashworth Road are not quite where you would expect them to be. There is a house on the corner of Elgin Avenue that does not match its neighbours and the flats in block one are laid out differently to how they were when they were originally put up. Perhaps there is something else? Although we do not know for sure, it is an odd coincidence that the area of Ashworth that was heavily damaged by the V1 is the same as where we have the communal heating.
So, there you have it, the communal hot water and heating is in fact not the Board’s fault, but Hitler’s! And little Teresa Feri must have been the unfortunate playmate of that Australian gentleman. And just maybe, he is one of the children pictured watching the clean-up operation…
Martin Clements, March 2008
Photos courtesy of the Daily Mirror Archive.
16 Responses to Ashworth at war… or why you should blame the Nazis for your heating
Gillian Lewis says:
April 26, 2008 at 9:55 am (Edit)
I wonder if the gentleman from Australia who recently visited Ashworth Mansions would remember me, because it is apparent that we lived there at the same time. He may also recall my cousin Teresa who sadly was killed on that night in 1944.There used to be tennis courts in the gardens at the back of Ashworth Mansions and it was more open and easily accessible to everyone and as children a safe play ground. but now it is fenced off and private. Teresa and I went to the same school together. I would call for her every morning and we would clamber out of the back window of my grandparents flat, (they lived at number 1 Ashworth Mansions) and we would a take a short cut across the gardens to the Park at the back of the flats (then called and as we knew to be The Rec) on our journey to school.I remember this rather tall, austere, elderly lady elegantly attired in purple or lavender who regularly to walked in the park, she looked very much like our Queen Mary and I was convinced that she was a witch and I remember being frightened of her. There were one or two other strange characters (from an imaginative child’s point of view). There was an odd looking man who carried a sack over his shoulder and I thought he kidnapped little children and popped them in his sack and stole them away, (poor man, completely harmless!)The milk was delivered to the flats by a horse drawn cart, so we always fed the milkman’s horse with a carrot or an apple or two. Also if my memory serves me the baker also made deliveries by horse and cart.
My Granfather, Ben, in his late sixties could always be seen on summers day sitting on the wall outside number one watching the children play and the world go by.There were happy and sad days then, especially the tragic night in June 1944.
Reply
May 7, 2008 at 9:26 am (Edit)
A couple of Saturday’s ago I took the opportunity to visit Ashworth Mansions, with the sole intention of speaking to the caretaker about the Australian gentleman who had recently called to see him whilst visiting the UK. Unfortunately, Saturday happened to be his day off, so no joy there. But I did have the pleasure of meeting a very charming retired lady who lived in the flat adjacent to the caretaker. She very kindly invited me in for a cup of tea and a chat and to give me the opportunity to view once again the gardens, where we played as a children.The gardens now are attractively landscaped, (minus the tennis courts!) and are completely closed off and private. I really was disappointed not to have met the caretaker, but I did leave him a note with my telephone number, but Daron, hasn’t call me yet!It was perchance that I met the young lady that now lives in the basement flat where my grandparents once lived. She kindly invited me in, and to my disappointed, it was one room, a studio flat. Anyway, I shall be visiting Ashwoth Mansions again soon and hope to have a word with Daron, the caretaker.
ReplyAlan Carter says:
September 7, 2012 at 12:49 am (Edit)
Hi Gillian,
I am the Gentleman from Australia (David Alan Carter) and I am now 76 years old, therefore, not quite 8 during the night of the bombing.
I lived with my family in Ashworth Mansions and looking at the map, we lived in the left hand block, 2nd or 3rd floor, facing the Paddington Recreational Ground i.e. diagonally opposite your cousin.
I remember that night quite vividly – we were playing on the disused Tennis Court area, it was a bright summer evening and the sky was carpeted with aero planes, supposedly on a bombing run. I remember my last words to your cousin, “that I will see you tomorrow”. I have the impression that she was small in stature and with darkish features.I don’t know whether my facts are absolutely correct, but I have been under the impression, that the V1 grazed the top of my unit block and ricochet to the other side. I was always given the impression that we had a lucky escape. I remember waking up and being aware that I was laying on a bed of glass and by brother told me that he had a broken window pane around his neck, but neither of us suffered any scratches.I remember the Paddington Recreational Ground and the old Band Stand, where the Americans and the local girls were jiving, I remember seeing areal combat, which all seemed to be taken place silently, in slow motion, way up high. I remember regular trips to Maidavale station and being camped out for the night.So, resulting from the bombing, we were evacuated and I spent time in Liverpool and Leeds. After the war, my family returned to Ashworth Mansion and I lived in No. 51, again on the recreation side, on the first floor. I lived there until I was about 20 years of age (1956).I went to the local cubs and had my bar mitzvah at St. Johns Wood Synagogue .Isn’t the brain a magnificent piece of machinery! The re-call is amazing even that of poor Teresa.
Reply
November 16, 2012 at 6:13 pm (Edit)
Hi Alan,
Joe Ferri said you had been in contact and that you do remember, Theresa, which is great! My memory is a little vague, so I don’t actually remember you. I wonder if you knew Christopher, who we nicknamed, Jumbo, because his ears stuck out. He lived opposite the Paddington Recreation Ground in the road behind Ashworth Mansions. I could send you some photos of Theresa and Joe if you would like them.
You’ve read my input so not really anything to add, except, where did you go to school? I went to Essendene with Theresa. I would call for her in the morning and I remember we always stop off at the sweet shop, either before or on the way back from school to buy lemonade powder or hundreds and thousands and those little transfers you would stick on the back of your hand, do you remember. Such lovely memories! I always think about Theresa she was very special to me, a lovely cousin and my best friend and she will always have a place in my heart. I remember we save farthings, so that we had money to spend in the sweet shop.
You can contact me by email if you wish.
Best Wishes
Gilly
January 3, 2013 at 12:41 pm (Edit)
Hi David, still waiting for you to respond to my last reply to your message. I hope you are OK? Would love to hear from you, my email is: gilly.interact@btinternet.com. I will take this opportunity to wish you all the best for 2013.
Gillian
Joe Ferri. says:
June 9, 2008 at 7:14 am (Edit)
I remember well that night 23rd June 44.
I was asleep at the front end of the flat No1, woke up to a loud bang and being only 10, had no idea what had happened, but soon found myself trying to help an old gent, (my uncle Lew) who was in bed with a wall on top of him…..all I could see were his feet so I tried to get him out, Also just outside our front door which had been blown off was a Mr Bush, he was in his mothers arms bleeding very badly, the door had hit him I think and I gave them my pyjama top to help.
It was then that the A.R.P. arrived and ushered me out to an other family member (my uncle Alec) and taken to their home. It was there that I was told my sister Teresa, Grandma and Grandpa had been killed.
I was promply sent to Wales for the rest of the war, some of the children I remember (as well as Jillian), were Allen and his brother Ellis, Rosmary and her brother Raymond, plus a boy named Christopher.
I now live in New Zealand and am 75 years old.
ReplyHeather Laskey (married name, O’Brien). says:
September 11, 2014 at 1:18 pm (Edit)
My name is Heather Laskey. Joe – are you still alive? We lived at 10 Elgin Mansions; I knew you and Teresa, we often played together in our back yard, and I remember the night of the bomb that killed Teresa. I too was evacuated after it – though we only got the blast. When I worked as a journalist I did a broadcast about it one November 11th, here in Canada where I live. I thought it was only your grandfather that had been killed with Teresa, not both of your grandparents. Also had been told it was a land-mine, didn’t know it was a VI rocket. Have often wondered what became of you. That night changed our lives. My email address: laskey.obrien@ns.sympatico.ca
Reply
Joe Ferri. says:
September 8, 2012 at 5:29 am (Edit)
Allen, it was great to speak to you on the 8th but at this moment I have been unable to find Gill’s e.m. address but will keep on looking
and Gilly if you see this please drop me a line.Allen have a good trip speak when you get back……Joe Ferri.
ReplyAnonymous says:
November 16, 2012 at 10:28 pm (Edit)
Hi Joe,
Finally, Got a message from David and I have written back. It was only by chance that I went to the site today and saw the message. It had been sitting there for sometime. Thank you
Reply
November 17, 2012 at 12:05 am (Edit)
I’m sorry! was that Allan or Gilly, it only said Anonymous???
January 3, 2013 at 12:43 pm (Edit)
No it was me! Gilly. Don’t know why anonymous came up.
ReplyGerry says:
January 15, 2013 at 4:54 pm (Edit)
I was born in Leith Mansions in 1946 and lived there for the first 23 years of my life.Played in Paddington Rec and went to Essendine Road school,and to Cheder at Maida Vale Beth Hamedrash
Reply
January 15, 2013 at 6:30 pm (Edit)
HI Gerry, We’d left Maida Vale before you were born – soon after the bombing of Ashworth Mansions June 1944. We also used to play in Paddington Rec and I went to Essendene School with my cousin Theresa who was killed on the night of the bombing. Some members of my family however still remained in Paddington until the early sixties. Now and again I visit the area as it does hold special memories. Don’t know what else I can add to the above only that it would have been nice to have known.
Gilly
ReplyKen W says:
August 17, 2013 at 3:20 pm (Edit)
I returned from evacuation about 1943. I started back at Essendene road school when it reopend. The older boys were posted on the roof with binoculars spotting for doodlebugs. Runing down the stairs ringing school hand bells when one came our way. I was also Mr Bracken`s (headmaster) messenger boy. I am now 83. Ken W
Reply
August 17, 2013 at 4:24 pm (Edit)
Hello Ken, We lived at 25,Ashworth Mansion, Elgin Avenue, Maida Vale and my grandparents and my two cousins, Theresa and Joseph lived with them at Flat 1 Ashworth Mansions before the night of the bombing, June 1944. Tragically, both my grandparents & my cousin Theresa were killed that night. I also went to Essendene School up until 1944. You said you returned after being evacuated 1943 when Essendene School reopened. I wasn’t aware that it ever closed during WW2, that’s interesting! Maybe you returned a year or maybe two later than 1943? because I was a pupil there from 1942 to 1944. I would like to hear from….Warm regards. Gilly
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November 1, 2014 at 8:15 pm (Edit)
Hi Gillian,I was also a pupil at Essendine school from 1942 to 1945 when I left there at 14, your surname rings bells, like you I wasn’t aware the school ever closed and I also thought the headmasters name was Mr Branghem but I could be wrong, I lived in 170 Shirland rd I had a young friend named Cyril Elmon who lived in the mansions,interesting day yeah!! My name is John Skinner
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