In Search of Cumbria's Vanished Communities

History

Mansergh, Ruth

Historical Study & Educational Resources

Independently published

Secret Wimbledon & Southfields

Amberley Publishing

Secret Epsom & Ewell

Arts & Photography

Photography & Video

<p>The London district of Kew is best-known for its World Heritage Site of the Royal Botanic Gardens and Kew Palace. It lies directly across the River Thames from the town of Brentford, which has origins pre-dating the Roman occupation and the founding of the capital.In this book Ruth Mansergh uncovers the hidden facts, intriguing episodes and lesser-known aspects of both areas' rich heritage. The National Archives at Kew is the home of the Domesday Book and, delving much further back in history, it is thought that Julius Caesar may have forded the Thames here in 54 BC. At the Battle of Brentford in 1016, Edmund Ironside pursued the Danes - led by Cnut - across the Thames where Kew Bridge now stands. Different chapters highlight subjects including crime, military events, royal connections, transport, property, and unusual stories from the Royal Botanic Gardens. Among the lost industries and unexpected finds featured is the American firm of Chrysler Motors, which set up a factory just off Mortlake Road in the early 1920s. After the Second World War, the factory focused on lorry manufacturing and the vehicles produced here were known as the Dodge Kew.Illustrated throughout, 'Secret Kew & Brentford' will appeal to residents and all who are interested in the history of this part of London.</p>

Secret Kew & Brentford

<p>Windermere and Grasmere in the Great War is an expert account of these Lake District town's fascinating contributions to the Great War effort from the outbreak of war in 1914, to the long-awaited Allied victory in 1918\. The book is designed to be accessible to all, and for this reason it includes the history of the South Lakes area of Cumbria, where the scarcity of visitors was felt during the Great War. Interesting stories include Lake Windermere’s setting as a watery runway, rumors that a German airship was operating from a secret base near Grasmere, the double life of Arthur Ransome, and Cumberland Wrestling’s postwar boom. The book also takes a detailed look at the graduates of the Lakes Flying Company, the Hardistys, VAD nurse Nellie Taylor, the Baisbrowns, the boatmen who sewed bags for sand, the gunpowder carts, Beatrix Potter’s opinions, conscientious objectors, landowners and gentry, Cobby the horse, railwaymen, and prisoner of war Frederick Mallinson. It acts as a reference guide to local war memorials, and a chronological guide to Belgian refugees in south Lakeland whose homes included Ellerthwaite Lodge, Windermere, Calgarth Park auxiliary hospital, Troutbeck Bridge, and the village of Finsthwaite. St Martin’s next to the Old England Hotel, Windermere, has more memorials than any other church in Cumbria – including the Cathedral (Carlisle). Overall, this is a poignant testimony to the bravery, self-sacrifice and determination of the people of Windermere and Grasmere during the Great War, who sought to find normality in a reality so far removed from anything they had ever known.</p>

Windermere and Grasmere in the Great War (Your Towns & Cities in the Great War)

Europe

Pen and Sword Military

The outbreak of war marked a new era for the people of Cumbria. Many young men and women enlisted in the Forces, while older people joined the Home Guard or became Air Raid Precaution Wardens. Children from cities were sent to Kendal to escape the threat of bombing raids, members of the Women’s Land Army began to arrive on at the local farms, and Silloth airfield near Carlisle trained thousands of pilots from allied countries.The first sign of German interest in the important shipbuilding town of Barrow-in- Furness was in May 1936, when a rigid airship and passenger aircraft flew very low and slowly over the Furness rooftops. Vickers shipyard became a target for enemy bombing and eventually more than 10,000 houses were damaged or destroyed by the Luftwaffe during the Barrow Blitz that took place during April and May 1941.Extensively researched, the book takes a detailed look at the ships built in Barrow, memorials in the city of Carlisle and towns and villages across Cumbria, and remembers the brave dead of Second World War.Overall, this is a poignant testimony to the momentous efforts, bravery, self-sacrifice and determination of the people of Cumbria during the Second World War, who sought to find normality in a reality so far removed from anything they had ever known.

Cumbria at War 1939–45 (Your Towns & Cities in World War Two)

Wimbledon, Merton & Morden at War 1939–45 (Your Towns & Cities in World War Two)

Harecroft Hall 1712-2017

Plague Stones, Bowls and Memorials: Disease Outbreaks in England from 541 AD to Modern Times

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Books by Mansergh, Ruth