Genealogy Chat

As some of you know, I contacted Stephen Humphrey at Southwark archives about the death of Herta. Stephen kindly sent this reply concerning an explosion at 3.15 a.m. that day which would have been the incident that Herta died from.

The passage you quote derives from the Civilian War Dead List for the Metropolitan Borough of Camberwell. I have consulted the Control Incident Register for September 12th, and I find that there were 104 incidents listed for that day. The only mention of Half Moon Lane is in entry No. 49, which reads: 03 15 Half Moon Lane (end) between Ardbeg Road [and] Beckwith Road. WP [Wardens' Post] 53C. HE [high explosive]. Looking at the 50' Ordnance Survey map of 1950, I see that there was no No. 72 at that time - obviously destroyed - but that it would have stood on the south side, near the railway, east of the junction of Half Moon Lane and Willage Way, and opposite the block between Ardbeg Road and Beckwith Road. So the death occurred as a result of a high-explosive bomb on, or very close to, the house.. The bombs reported that day in the borough were a mixture of HEs and incendiary bombs. They were spread all over Camberwell, Peckham and Dulwich.

Thanks for that, Heather. Aren't they a lovely, helpful bunch at Southwark FHL - they always do their best to try to answer queries. Now we have a clearer idea of what happened to Herta. I know that Heinz/Henry said her house was demolished by a bomb by the time he came over here circa 1944 and so that does tie in with what Stephen Humphries has discovered. So, either she was storing her suitcase at the house where she worked as a servant, or someone who knew her retrieved the suitcase from the Half Moon Lane address after her death and looked after it for her. Perhaps in the hopes that one day family would come to find her and they could pass the suitcase on?

Hi All Very interesting information above, IPerhaps the suitcase might have been left with the Aunt Ms Ullman who lived in Croxted Road, which is a five minute walk from Half Moon Lane. Half Moon Lane connects Herne Hill to Dulwich Village and is lined with fine Victorian houses many of which are still single family homes. Roads running off here and forming what is known as the North Dulwich triangle include Ardbeg Road, Beckwith Road, Wyneham Road and Elmwood Road. In these roads there are large double-fronted period houses and smaller semis and terraced houses all dating from around the same period. Carol

Southwark are brilliant - Stephen particularly has gone to no end of trouble finding things re my Gran who was a fire officer during the blitz there. He even sent me the book he had written about Bermondsey and Rotherhithe which has two pictures of her in it. I was over the moon. (Ive bought 6 further copies since for rellies!). It does make you compare them rather favourably against the lot at Lambeth, doesnt it!

Reading back over the story: A suitcase full of letters, family photos and even school reports were taken out of Germany by Herta when she came to stay with a relative in Croxted Road in East Dulwich. From there she moved to another house in Half Moon Lane, Herne Hill, where she worked as a servant and where the suitcase was found last year. I have sent for a copy of her Death Certificate will let you know when it arrives and any information it might show, I was wondering what happened to the aunt!

Makes you feel a bit sad, imagining air raid wardens and such going through the rubble and possibly finding this case doesnt it. Perhaps it still had a label on it for Cillys name and address when poor Herta came over. Or perhaps a neighbour took it in and kept it in Half Moon?

Apparently my grandad was an air raid warden in Rotherhithe during WW2. Any ideas how I can find out more? Family unable to help with this. Selena

Hi Selena, well thats where my gran was. He should have received a certificate from the Council for War for his service. If youre lucky there may be one still about. Southwark Family History Library are currently researching a book for the war years - so give them an email giving his full details and they may be able to help you. If you are really interested in the area, I really recommend you buy the book, Bermondsey and Rotherhithe Remembered - its actually written by Stephen Humphrey and has lots and lots of fab old photos.

I am coming to this story at the tail end but are you lovely people aware of the Commonwealth War Graves website www.cwgc.org which remembers all of the war dead including Civilians. The search facility is very good and if you find who you are looking for it will often give some extra information including next of kin and where they are buried. Worth a try if you have not already done so. Best wishes Jack Walker

Hi Heather, very interesting about Herta. Followed it from the start. Can you please tell me where you bought the book written by Stephen Humphries, it is where my mother-in-law came from. Many thanks, Hilary

Thanks Heather, I have sent them an email. I too would like to know where to get the book - it would make a great present for my mum who lived in Rotherhithe during the blitz. Selena

You can buy it direct from Stephen Humphrey. He is the archivist at Southwark Family History Library and as I said Ive bought 6 copies now! I think it was about £10 or £11 - but well worth it. Lots of pics from about 1920-1970. He is currently working on another book about wartime Southwark which I certainly will also be buying. Put it FAO of Stephen Humphrey Oh dear GR wont let me type the address here, so I will mail you privately. Anyone else want to let me know, just mail me. In one double pic is the street my dad was born in- Ainsty Street off Albion Road.. You can actually see his door, the stables his Uncle 'Arry had opposite where he kept his 2 donkeys for his fruit and veg business and the neighbours standing outside and looking at the camera - about 1930. Everyone in that pic is related to me! There is also a pic of the house I was born in - Rouel Road, South Bermondsey. Theres two pics of my nan - one in her full uniform and another talking to the American Ambassadors wife with whom she became very friendly. The year my mum died (and she knew she was going to) she deposited a lot of things from nan, including some letters between her and the Ambassadors wife - also some music hall programs as nan used to play the piano at music halls. Im sure if your families are from there you will find something that touches your heart.

Dear Jack, if you want to read the whole story which Carol brought to everyones attention - I will bump it up for you. Herta's death was found on the CWGC and then some wonderful souls on here tracked down the fiance who had gone to New York. He is still alive. I will bump it up.

Heather, thanks for that but what is the address. Hilary

Ive mailed you with it Hilary as GR wont let me type it properly on here! Ill try this way! Local.History.Library (then do the 'at' sign) southwark.gov.uk

Just read all of the threads Amazing!! Thanks and God Bless all concerned Jack