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John Crook: Pulic House Landlord

These photos show my Grandfather, John Crook, outside his pub in 11 Boyces Street. The pub is now the Fiddler’s Elbow?

Both photographs were taken around 1911 I believe, and one picture clearly shows the bunting and decorations to celebrate the Coronation of King George V and Queen Mary in 1911.

My Grandfather is the gentleman with the apron in one picture and shown wearing a cloth cap and standing next to his daughter Mary in the middle of the other photo. His wife Annie, is the lady standing next to Mary Crook in both photos.

John Crook with his wife and daughter, and some of his customers c1911
From the private collection of Hazel Hedley
John Crook with his wife and daughter, and some of his customers c1911
From the private collection of Hazel Hedley

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  • For information: My grandfather, Thomas Edwin Spring, died of a brain tumour in this pub in September 1881. It was called the Stafford Arms and occupied 11 & 12 Boyce’s Street. His sister was married to the landlord at the time, William Watts, who was described as a bar and eating house keeper in the 1881 Census. In the 1881 Census Thomas was living with his family in Chelsea, and we assume that he was probably visiting his sister, knowing he was seriously ill, as it was his sister who registered the death, and his burial was five days later back in Kensington. His wife continued to live in the London area until her death in 1914.

    By Mike Woodham (04/08/2023)

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