| Description | A series of records deposited by Ms Margaret Powell relating to the history of her family who lived in Poplar in the first half of the 20th century. The records consist of material about her parents and grandparents, including: correspondence; photographs; references; reports; certificates; receipts and other published material.
The records include material relating to Ms Powell's maternal grandfather, Herbert Frost, and his late conscription during the First World War, his death in November 1918 and the impact of this event on the family he left behind. A particularly poignant letter survives and forms part of this collection. This letter is from Herbert Frost's eldest daughter, Millicent (Ms Powell's aunt) to her father on the anticipation of his return from the war. Tragically, the letter never reached him and was duly returned, as Herbert had died 9 days before it was written.
The collection also includes records relating to Ms Powell's paternal grandparents' burials and records relating to her parents, such as, education and employment related material.
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| AdminHistory | Ms Powell's maternal grandfather, Herbert Frost was married to Jessie Frost, they had six children. Their youngest child, Doris, born in April 1918, was Ms Powell's mother. In 1918 the family were living in Wallwood Street, Poplar.
Herbert was a lodge porter at the nearby Poplar and Stepney Sick Asylum, in Devons Road. He was conscripted during the First World War, however, this was at a relatively late stage (May 1918) because of his work as a hospital porter and special constable. Doris' siblings were Millicent (1907-1926); Robert; Arthur; Herbert and Stanley. She attended the nearby Thomas Street School where she first met her future husband, Charles Powell. Subsequently Doris worked for Adam & Lane & Neeve Ltd, canvas merchants and sail makers, of Falcon Works, Copperfield Road. During the Second World War she was called up to join the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) which she served in from 1942-1945. After the war ended in 1945 she returned to London and married Charles Powell. In 1946 they moved into a newly-built house in Wanstead, which remained the family home until Doris died in 2004.
Ms Powell's paternal grandparents (Charles Powell's parents) were Amelia and Charles Douglas. Charles Douglas was a teacher and (according to his son's recollections) he taught at the Barnado's Ragged School in Mile End at one time. Charles Powell attended Thomas Street School where he gained a scholarship to Coopers Company's School, Tredegar Square, Bow. |