| Repository | Archives |
| Reference Number | P/HEM/1/2 |
| Level | File |
| Title | Photograph Album |
| Date(s) | 1948-1949 |
| Description | Mainly pictures of official engagements as mayor. Includes some personal photographs including his involvement with local scouting and scout groups. The lady who accompanies Hemsley on many of his mayoral engagements is thought to be his older sister Elizabeth Constance Hemsley (1893-1955), who acted as mayoress. Also includes sections of:
- photographs taken on 24 September 1948 at the Columbia Road Junior School in relation to food gifts that were sent from Timaru New Zealand (features Percy Holman, MP for South-West Bethnal Green 1945-1950 and then Bethnal Green 1950-1966).
- photographs taken on 19 February 1949 at the opening of the Greenways Estate in Bethnal Green.
- photographs showing architectural model of St Matthews Church, Bethnal Green.
Content warning:
One of the photographs in this album features a man in 'blackface'. Such images are derogatory and offensive. This album represents the time and context in which the material was created. The item in question is part of the archival record. We want to place images such as this into context:
Blackface began in the 19th century linked with minstrel musical theatre performance, as a form of racial impersonation founded on cultural appropriation. By 1930s it was commonly adopted in theatrical plays and helped disseminate racial terms and racial stereotypes into the 21st century. Attitudes in the 1940s towards race are considered ignorant and offensive by today's standards. |
| Extent | 1 volume |
| Category | Photographs |
| Format | Photograph |
| RelatedMaterial | Note that the architectural model of St Matthews Church, Bethnal Green seen in some of these photographs is in the THLHLA Museum Collection (LTHL 491). |
| Access Status | Open |
| AccessConditions | This item contains potentially upsetting content. See description for further details. |
| Request | YES - You can order this material to consult in our Reading Room. |