A Bruce postcard view from 1904 showing how the story of ’A race between a camel and a lion’ came about. No doubt the owners revelled in the story as people would possibly travel to see this ”event” and hopefully patronise their shops! Norman Patton tells us: “Elizabeth Ann Hicks, who was the mother of Charles and William Hicks of Tees Street who were killed in action during World War I, was also my grandfather’s Mum. She was the daughter of a veterinary surgeon, Charles Cammell, who practiced at Sculcoates, a suburb of Hull. Her brother, also Charles Cammell was the owner of Cammell’s ’boutique’ shown above in Loftus Market Place. His wife, Albina, was his business partner and his sister my great-grandmother, was their assistant. My mother, Betty Patton and her sister Cath Winspear (formerly Watson) along with several other sisters also lived at 29 Tees Street and were often used as ‘models’ for the ladies’ hats which their grandmother used to make at home.”
Image courtesy of Ann Wedgewood & Keith Bowers, thanks to Norman Patton for the updates.
Market Place Loftus sometime in the 1930s; this based on the presence of Cammell’s and Race’s shops where post 1938 was the Regal cinema. A United bus waits at the stop near the Golden Lion Hotel; Parrot’s ironmongers (now the Post Office) is in front of the bus. Is it the Co-op Delivery on the bicycle?
Another image of the Loftus Wool Fair in the same year of at least two others on the site. Based upon some of the coats that onlookers are wearing the weather was not dis-similar these present June days!
This image from a newspaper cutting is clearly dated 1910. It is obviously a different year from the images elsewhere on the site, based upon style of dress and arrangements of the stalls.
From a slightly later date we have a personal reminiscence of the Wool Fair from Mrs L .E. Johnson of Loftus, she says: ”The fair was a diversion in the 1920’s which we all enjoyed. The Wool Fair was an annual event in June. The cattle and poultry, etc., were sold in the recreation field in Micklow Lane. We used to rush home from school at dinner time to see all the animals because it was all over when school finished at 4 o’clock. On one side of the Market Place (no busses or cars then) there were produce stalls including a fish and chip van. It was fascinating to see the owner stoking up the firfe under the pans. In the corner where the telephone now stands there were two swinging boats and a roundabout. On the opposite side of the market, John Dawson Robinson sold farm machinery (on the corner last occupied by the Post Office), George Dale sold crockery and Charley Turner, a popular character, had his stall outside the Golden Lion Hotel.”
Cutting from a collection gifted to the Archive, most of the cuttings coming from the Northern Echo; although this image could be from a Loftus postcard producer.
Loftus Market Place early 20th century; after Messrs Dodds took over from Mackenzie’s ownership of the shop on the corner of North Road. With plenty of free manure for the roses on the highway.
Loftus Market Place; we believed this to be the Proclamation of George 5th, but it was in fact the Celebrations for the Coronation of George Vth 22nd June 1911.
Veterans of the Great War, mustered at Loftus War Memorial. Many are still young men with memories still fresh of the horror they endured, as they honour fallen comrades. Several wear the 1914/15 Star, meaning they served as volunteers. Norman Patton tells us: ”One lady who was definitely at this parade was Elizabeth Ann Hicks, wife of the late William Hicks, of 29 Tees Street, Loftus. They had two sons who went ’Missing in Action’ in World War I. They were William Arthur: remembered at the Menin Gate and Charles Edwin: remembered at Thiepval. Both are also remembered on the memorial at Loftus. Elizabeth had a daughter, Alice May Hicks, who served with the Military Nursing Service in Egypt during the same war. She met and fell in love with Thomas Brooke Stanley who had been injured while fighting with the 10th Australian Light Horse Infantry at Hill 60 in Gallipoli, where he was decorated for his bravery. After the war ended, Tom came to Loftus to seek permission to marry Alice. She followed him back to Australia where they married and settled in Brunswick Junction, Western Australia; and together they became successful farmers. Elizabeth Ann Hicks and her family had made huge sacrifices in that war. She was my great grandmother.” “We Shall Remember Them.” Norman further advised: “My great grand mother’s maiden name was Elizabeth Ann Cammell. She was the daughter of Michael who was a veterinary who practiced in Sculcoates near Hull. Ann married William Hicks who’s parents had farmed at Forresters Lodge in Little Fryup Dale. William was a time served carpenter and Ann was a milliner and dressmaker who spent most of her life assisting her brother Charles Cammell and his wife Albina who had the business next to the Golden Lion in the market place. Charles and his family lived at 6 Zetland Terrace.”
Thelma reports: “Charles Edwin Hicks was my grandfather and I have been researching our family tree and am thrilled to get some more information about great grandparents. We have a photograph of my Grandfather and are checking out his war records. We were always told he was killed by a sniper whilst delivering a message. He was a good runner. I have recently been contacted by relatives in Australia keen for information so will pass on the news his sister also emigrated to Australia.”
Image courtesy of Alan Richardson; many thanks to Norman Patton and Thelma for the supporting information.
A rainy Remembrance Day with the cenotaph Parade in the late 1920s; note the decorated cart at the right of the photograph – purpose unknown – can anyone help with details.
A very early pre Great War view of the Market Place showing what was the then Martin’s Bank on the extreme left; with the attached shop of Fenby’s. Next door being Arbroath House and then Riley’s emporium (this was replaced by the Regal Cinema). We then come to Charles T. Cammell’s shop, next is William Maxwell Race’s premises followed by the Golden Lion Hotel. These premises are the source of the old joke about a Race between a Camel and a Lion in Loftus Market Place.
A well attended Remembrance Day Service, believed to be 1924. Note the numbers of gentlemen wearing medals, World War I was still vivid in the memories of all those attending. Image courtesy of Joyce Hore.
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