Arsenal as a walled town

2012.12.29

WilliamJames GENESE(1893-1975) {in 1942 was Supervisor of Apprentices

 tells ...

My father moved into quarters, just inside the main gate of the Arsenal ..........constant noise of men going past the house to and from work, the frequent ringing of the bell to call them to work, the noise of the trams, horse drawn and the strident calls of the stallholders in the market.

The residents were in three grades:

Officer class, who lived in a secluded part of Dial Square near the main gate.

Managerial staff, mainly in H Avenue, running from the gate, parallel to Plumstead Road, in houses backing on to the Arsenal wall.

Servants, of the officers. billeted in converted stables backing on to the officers quarters.

　

5.40pm all closed down ...........
as children they had freedom to play and also watch the processes going on in school holiday.............

T pier on Sunday evenings watching pleasure boats...........lived next door to the mortuary, with hospital above it....

.....

1905 sub mitted to Friends Reunited before the stand was built.

 

1906 after stand was built.

 

Saturday afternoon was usually an outing for the youngsters, as we would go to that part of the Arsenal adjoining the football ground in Manorway [Griffin], climb up the partly finished storehouse..........early 1900's one of the Danger Buildings blew up the stand of the football ground was, blown flat.........disastrous fire in the storehouse when the hand pumps of the Arsenal Fire Brigade were unable to cope.....LCC Brigade had to wait for official permission before being allowed in. Four fireman burnt by magnesium. ........

'the area of the Danger Buildings' (Filling Factories) isolation on the marshes with connecting paths or roads between the various hutments three feet above ground level. Every worker had to change all his clothing except vest and underpants and don canvas trousers and jacket and a hat with a number in the front. ..........

.......train(narrow gauge) ran every half-hour from near the main gate, through a stop called Mugby Junction and on to Berber (round trip took an hour).

three classes of passengers ...{like the South Eastern and Chatham Railway

one, for managers, and those superior to them.

second, foremen an clerical grades.

workmen, two long forms, back to back, with no protection from the elements.

smallpox epidemic..........Apprentice system..........

　

 
1901census living 48, Nithdale Road, Plumstead   Joseph G.(49) Dispenser of Medicines Infirmary

1911census living Dispensers Quarters Royal Arsenal Woolwich. 

Matlda HUNT =(1877[Stoke Dameral, Devon])= Joseh GENESE

Children: Sarah(26); Samuel(22) fitter and turner Gun Carriage; William(17) Trade Lad fitter and turner; Henry(15) Book Keeper; Grandchild: Henry STASSBURG(04);

FindMyPast


Reference ...

The Woolwich Story 1890-1965 (pages 147-149)

by EFE JEFFERSON (1970)


Updated ...
2013.02.12