St Ives 100 Years Ago: November 2020

St Ives Photo Album - Family name Dunkling

Photo Album - Family name Dunkling

Frederick Arthur Dunkling, c1912.

Frederick is named on the St Ives War Memorial. Employed as a coach painter at Fuller & Sons, he was already a member of the Territorials in 1913. Frederick almost survived the Battle of the Somme. A stupid shot from the British trenches aborted an attempt by the Germans to surrender before being attacked. Frederick died in the ensuing battle. To read about his life, click Frederick Arthur Dunkling.

Arthur Dunkling, George Dunkling & Frederick Dunkling, 1916

Brothers Arthur, George & Frederick Dunkerling, 1916.

Frederick's two brothers also fought in WWI.

St Ives Photo Album - Family name Lantaff

Photo Album - Family name Lantaff

Linton Wilfred Lantaff, 1915.

Linton Wilfred Lantaff, c1915.

Linton is named on the St Ives War Memorial. To read about his life, click Linton Wilfred Lantaff.

St Ives Photo Album - Family name Deavin

Photo Album - Family name Deavin

Ernest William Deavin, c1911.

Ernest is named on the St Ives War Memorial. To read about his life, click here

St Ives Photo Album - Family name Stocker

Photo Album - Family name Stocker

Harry Arthur Stocker, c1915.

Harry is named on the St Ives War Memorial. To read about his life, click Harry Arthur Stocker.

Joseph William Stocker, 1915.

Joseph William Stocker (seated), 1915.

The above three images are of Joe Stocker after joining the Hunts Cyclists aged 16 years. Joe is commemorated on a memorial plaque in St James Church, Hemingford Grey. To read about his life click Joseph William Stocker.

Joseph William Stocker, 1916.

Another three photos of Joe, the first two in hospital uniform, having been 'slightly wounded'.

Alice Stocker (née Famely) with daughter Mabel Bedford in Filbert's Walk, 1940s

Alice Stocker (née Famely) with daughter Mabel Bedford (née Stocker) in Filbert's Walk, 1942.

Alice lived at 26 Victoria Terrace, Hemingford Grey. She is pictured with her daughter Mabel in Filbert's Walk, visiting relatives.

St Ives Photo Album - Family name Culpin

Photo Album - Family name Culpin

Albert Culpin, 1940.

The above two images are of Albert 'Dick' Culpin, born and bred in St Ives. A grocer's assistant, in the early 1900s Dick moved to 4 East Street and opened his own grocery store, living above the shop. It was located where the Welcome Chinese Restaurant is today.

St Ives Photo Album - Family name Hurl

Photo Album - Family name Hurl

William Hurl, Walter Hurl, Albert Hurl, Howard Hurl & Ernest Hurl, 1915.

Five of the six Hurl brothers fought in WWI. Four survived to return home, Albert awarded the Military Medal for bravery. Walter did not return home and has no known grave. He is named on the St Ives War Memorial. To read about Walter's life and his many letters from the trenches published in the Hunts Post, click Walter Thomas Hurl.

St Ives Photo Album - Family name Hutson

Photo Album - Family name Hutson

Henry Thomas Allen, Florence Allen (née Hutson) and family, 1915.

In the above image is Florence Hutson, who married Henry Allen in 1912. Henry is holding his adopted son, Cecil. On Florence's lap is Henry, with Walter beside her. Henry is named on the St Ives War Memorial. To read about his life click Henry Thomas Allen.

St Ives Photo Album - Family name Hewson

Photo Album - Family name Hewson

William Charles Hewson, 1917.

Charles (as he preferred to be known) is named on the St Ives War Memorial. To read about his life, click William Charles Hewson.

St Ives Photo Album - St Ivians

Photo Album - St Ives people

View images of St Ivians from the past. Below you'll find links to photos from 1874 to the 1950s. You can view in date order or by family name.

Because of multiple family names listed in some group photos, if you're looking for specific people search both by family name and group photos. NOTE group photos have yet to be added.

Got an interesting pre-1960 photograph to add to the collection? If so, please Get in touch. 'Interesting' might mean an old image, a photo of a popular or well-known St Ivian, or someone who carried on a trade in the town. Photos with an unusual background or engaging storyline also qualify. Once added to the album, you'll be sent a much-improved image. To view photos in other albums, click here.

St Ives Photo Album - Family name Attwood

Photo Album - Family name Attwood

Bert Attwood, 1915.

Bert is named on the St Ives War Memorial, along with his brother Alfred, the Attwood family being one of the few to lose two sons in WWI. To read about their lives, click Bert Attwood.

St Ives Photo Album - St Ives people 1940 to 1959

Photo Album - St Ives people 1940 to 1959

Albert Culpin, 1940.

Alice Stocker (née Famely) with daughter Mabel Bedford (née Stocker) in Filbert's Walk, 1942.

Alice lived at 26 Victoria Terrace, Hemingford Grey. She is pictured with her daughter Mabel in Filbert's Walk, visiting relatives.

Percy Bedford & Peter Thorp at 4 Filbert's Walk, 1942.

Percy married Mabel Stocker in 1931. He and Mabel lived at 21 Victoria Terrace, Hemingford Grey. He is pictured visiting relatives in Filbert's Walk, with a young Peter Thorp.

Cecil Roslin, 1950s.

Cecil worked for Ashmore's diary. He's pictured with 'Prince' delivering milk in Filbert's Walk.

St Ives Photo Album - Family name Anderson

Photo Album - Family name Anderson

The Anderson family cricket team, c1938.
Back row left to right: Edward, Gerald, Alfred, Jeffrey, Paul, Robert.
Front row: William, Dennis, Harold (captain), Thomas, Peter.

Harry Anderson farmed Westwood Farm, taking over from his parents in the early 1900s. In 1938 the extended Anderson family challenged St Ives Town Cricket Club to a match played on Slepe Hall Playing Field. The Andersons were victorious.

St Ives Photo Album - Family name Fuller

Photo Album - Family name Fuller

Walter George Fuller, 1914.

Walter is named on the St Ives War Memorial. To read about his life, click Walter George Fuller.

St Ives Photo Album - Family name Allen

Photo Album - Family name Allen

Henry Thomas Allen, c1890s.

Henry Thomas Allen, Florence Allen (née Hutson) and family, 1915.

In the above image is Henry Allen and his wife Florence. Henry is holding his adopted son, Cecil. On Florence's lap is Henry, with Walter beside her. Henry is named on the St Ives War Memorial. To read about his life click Henry Thomas Allen.

St Ives Photo Album - 1910 to 1919

St Ives Photo Album - 1910 to 1919

Barnes Walk and the Parish Church

Bathing Place, Holt Island, St Ives, 1913

Opening a place on Holt Island for safe swimming had been the subject of much discussion from the mid-1800s. Finally on 5 June 1913 the 'bathing place' was opened at a cost of £700 (today £81,000). The Hunts Post published an article of the opening on 13 June 1913.

Barnes Walk, St Ives, 1917, Norris Knight's crashed aircraft

Norris Knight's aircraft crashed in a garden in Barnes Walk, 1917.

Aircraft became a more common sight in the skies over St Ives during WWI. They were also a danger. In September 1917 Norris Knight, a resident of the town, flew his Farman Shorthorn low over the houses in Filbert's Walk, showing off to his relatives the Harrisons, who lived there. Heading back towards Wyton Airfield, he clipped the trees in Barnes Walk and nosedived into the garden of Barnes House. Norris was fortunate to come out of the crash unscathed. The Hunts Post reported the accident on 28 September 1917.

All Saints Parish Church, St Ives, 1918, without spire

St Ives Parish Church without spire, 1918.

Just six months later there was a much more serious air accident. On an evening in March 1918 Second Lieutenant Kenneth Wastell landed his De Havilland DH6 aircraft in Hemingford Meadow to ask for directions. Aiming for a night out in St Ives, he most likely intended to leave his plane at Wyton Airfield. Having been given guidance, he turned the plane around, revved up the engine, took off and crashed into the Parish Church spire. The Board of Enquiry that followed could find no evidence of any fault in the aircraft. Evening mist or blindspots caused by the biplane's wings were suggested as causes. Inexperience was another possible factor. Kenneth, only 19 years old, was killed in the crash

In addition to lopping the top off the spire, the aircraft caused devastating damage to the church roof and interior. The spire collapsed into the north aisle and the aircraft fell into the south aisle. Although the church was insured, the original structure was in poor repair. It was decided to completely replace the damaged parts rather than merely repair. Only about half the £7,000 (today £813,000) rebuilding cost was covered by insurance. After a long campaign of fundraising the church was again used for services in 1920. It took until 1924 for the spire to be rebuilt, and it was 1930 before the bells were rehung and sounded across the town once again.

Cambridge Independent Press published a cut and paste photo of how the collapsing steeple must have looked on 30 March 1918, along with a more detailed report on 30 March 1918. The Hunts Post also reported the accident on 29 March 1918. The last section in this album showing aerial photos has two more of the damaged spire.

Angler's Rest guesthouse. For current view, click here.

The Waits

Red Cross Hospital, Methodist Church Hall, St Ives

Red Cross Hospital treating wounded soldiers in the Methodist Church Hall.

Within days of WWI being declared a Red Cross Hospital was set up in the church hall of what was called at the time the Wesleyan Church. It had 15 beds and was the first to be officially recognised by the War Office. The Hunts Post reported on its opening on 4 September 1914.

The Broadway

The Fife & Forfar Yeomanry arrive in St Ives, August 1914. For current view, click here.

The Fife & Forfar Yeomanry march in The Broadway, 1914. For current view, click here.

On Saturday 29 August 1914 the Fife and Forfar Yeomanry marched into St Ives, welcomed by practically the whole town. Accommodation for men, horses and equipment had been prepared. Pub hours were restricted to 9pm and St Ivians warned if challenged 'Halt, who goes there?' they had to stop immediately or risk being fired upon.

Concerts were arranged, football and rugby matches took place between the troops and St Ives teams, the rugby being of particular interest since the Fife and Forfar side contained two Scottish Internationals. There were inspections and troop movements.

At midnight on Monday 9 November 1914 orders were received for the Fife and Forfars to decamp immediately to a secret location. As they marched away they were given a hearty send-off by the town.

The Hunts Post reported their arrival on 4 September 1914 and departure on 10 November 1914.

Recruiting drive, The Broadway, St Ives, 1914

A recruitment drive in The Broadway, 1914. For current view, click here.

There was huge pressure on the men of St Ives to sign up to war. Beside recruitment drives such as the one shown above, in 1915 the Hunts Post ran a series of images attempting to shame men into enlisting. The worst of these was aimed at fathers of young children, to view click here.

Bridge Street

Scots Greys in Bridge Street 1912. For current view, click here.

Even before the start of WWI there were Army manoeuvres in Hemingford Meadow. In the image above the Scots Greys parade down Bridge Street.

Bridge Street c1910. For current view, click here.

Note the clock tower in the centre of the photograph, erected in 1802 over Kiddle's shop. It was dismantled in 1922 after becoming unsafe. There's an image of the dismantling work in the St Ives Photo Album - 1920 to 1939.

Bridge Street, c1910. For current view, click here.

Bridge Street, c1914.

St Ives bridge

St Ives bridge and chapel, with The Dolphin Inn on the far side. For current view, click here.

St Ives bridge and chapel from the other side, the Dolphin Inn on the left.

St Ives bridge and chapel from The Quay. For current view, click here.

St Ives bridge and chapel. For current view, click here.

St Ives bridge and chapel from Hemingford Meadow.

St Ives bridge and The Quay, with members of St Ives Rowing Club in the foreground.

St Ives bridge, Enderby's printing works at the mill in the distance.

The mill was built by Brown and Goodman in 1854 to extend their Houghton Mill business. The graceful chimney shown on the righthand edge of the above photo was originally built by French workmen, rebuilt in 1892 when a serious bend developed. The mill closed in 1901, reopened by Enderbys printing works in 1902.

To learn more about the bridge and chapel, click here.

River Great ouse at St Ives, 1913.

The Quay and The Old River

The Quay and Army manoeuvres, 1912.

The Old River, c1914.

New Road

Fowell & Co, Engineers, New Road, c1914. For current view, click here.

Cattle market

Looking over sheep pens on Sheepfold to military stabling at the cattle market, 1914.

Market Hill

Proclamation for George V, Market Hill, 1910.

Proclamation for George V, Market Hill, 1910. For current view, click here.

A proclamation is an important announcement, in 1910 announcing the succession of George V to the throne following the death of Edward VII. It also meant a public holiday and St Ivians in their finest enjoying a sunny day in May.

Market Hill, St Ives, George V Coronation Tea, 22 June 1911

George V Coronation Tea, Market Hill, 22 June 1911

Market Hill, c1911. For current view, click here.

Market Hill, c1914.

Market Hill, St Ives, Volunteer Training Corps

Volunteer Training Corps, Market Hill, 1915.

German invasion was a real fear, as reported in the Hunts Post 19 February 1915. A branch of the Volunteer Training Corps (VTC) was formed early 1915 in St Ives. Although officially snubbed and not legitimised until 1916, St Ivians too old to enlist or in a reserved occupation felt compelled to organise themselves as a civil defence. First mentioned in the Hunts Post 26 March 1915, a public appeal was made to raise money for rifles, bayonets and uniforms. By 23 April 1915 they were fully armed and equipped, marching through town and preparing rifle practise.

Market Hill, St Ives, peace celebrations 19 July 1919

Peace celebrations, Market Hill, 19 July 1919.

Although WWI ended in November 1918, that was with an armistice, an agreement to stop fighting. Neither side surrendered and a formal state of war continued to exist whilst surrender terms were thrashed out. The Treaty of Versailles was ratified with Germany in July 1919, officially ending the war. In celebration St Ives laid on a tea for 1,000, put on children's sports and a fancy dress dance in the evening, as reported by the Hunts Post 25 July 1919.

St Ives in flood

August 1912 had been a damp month, the fields and ditches already saturated. A total of 7 inches fell in a single day on Monday 26 August. Rain continued the following day. St Ives was used to winter flooding but this was exceptional, particularly at harvest time. In parts of the town the water flowed red from blood running out of slaughter yards. The streets were awash with sewerage normally dumped into the river.

Globe Place 1912. For current view, click here.

The Victorian cottages and Charles Marsters' stonemason's premises shown above were demolished in the 1960s to make way for The Globe car park. The latter was once a chapel occupied by the Swedenborgians.