Comments on: Six local Historical Treasures Of Islington Museum

By: chesherj

chesherj — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 11:29:49 +0000

Comment from Victor Nutt: Concerning, 4. A Heartbreaking Letter; the address at the bottom in pencil reads, Lamorbey Children’s Home, Sidcup, Kent, which was also known as The Hollies Children’s Home. The Hollies was originally a private house with extensive grounds owned by the Lewin family. It was built in 1857 to replace a previous mansion pulled down in 1853. In 1898 the Lewin family sold The Hollies to Sir George Woodman. He in turn sold it the following year to the Guardians of the Poor of Greenwich Union for use as an orphanage, which opened in 1902. As well as the original house, The Hollies, there were 25 large houses built for children, 20 for girls and 5 for boys, with a school, gym and a swimming pool. All the houses were named after trees, including Larch, Poplar, Pine, Palm and Rowan. They were arranged around a green and had the relevant tree planted in front of each house. The children’s homes became known as the Hollies Children’s Home in the 1950s. The original Hollies house was demolished in the 1990s, whilst the children’s houses closed in the 1980s. The area is now a residential and conservation area, still known as The Hollies. Further information can be found at: http://www.hollies-lamorbey-memories.org.uk/ and http://hollieskids.co.uk/history.html

By: chesherj

chesherj — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 11:29:27 +0000

Comment from Victor Nutt: Leonard Bertram Mansfield was born 28 January 1898. In 1901 he is at 37 Gough Street, St. Pancras. In 1911 he was at 286 Liverpool Road with his mother and step-father. In 1921 he was still living at 286 Liverpool Road, Islington with his mother and step-father, employed as a clerk in a grain importing business. He married Margaret A. H. White in the January quarter of 1924. They had no children. In 1939 they were living at 19 Liberia Road, Islington. He was a senior grain clerk at a flour milling company and an ARP warden. He died 20 March 1970, still living at 19 Liberia Road. His probate was granted on 9 July 1970, leaving £20,018. Margaret (Anne Helen) White was born 5 January 1899, her death recorded on her probate record (with a will) as 7 February 1999!

By: Susan Allen

Susan Allen — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 23:27:30 +0000

Found all articles very interesting and learnt alot. Thank you