Life in Amersham 1880-1930
The town and its people recorded in photographs by George Ward (Amersham Museum's copyright images)
Amersham Broadway (1889) by George WardAmersham Museum
Amersham Broadway in the late 1880’s, whilst the church tower was being renovated
Weller's Brewery, Amersham (1890) by George WardAmersham Museum
George Ward
George Ward
(1860–1943) was well known in Amersham as a Town Councillor, cycle and motor engineer,
founder of Amersham Town Band and a keen photographer. Many of his glass plate
negatives were left to Amersham Museum by local historian, Jean Archer, and by his family. This
display of his photographs shows everyday life and special events in Amersham
from the 1880s to 1930.
Early Years
George Ward was born in 1860 in a cottage in Amersham Broadway. His father worked for Weller’s Brewery for over 60 years, first as a carpenter and later manager of their property department. George started his working life as a delivery boy for the Bucks Advertiser, which was printed at King’s the Chemist in Market Square, Amersham. He became a good friend of Ebenezer King, the son of the owner and his interest in photography may well date from this time. By the 1881 census, George was working with his father as a painter and glazier at Weller’s Brewery, shown in this photograph.
Workmen building Amersham station (1892) by George WardAmersham Museum
Working Life
George Ward
made a number of portraits of men at work, showing their working environment
and
the tools of
their trade. Perhaps inspired by his early experience of working at Weller’s
Brewery, or aware of changing times, the photographs provide a record of rural
working life before and after the coming of the railway.
Workmen building Amersham railway station in 1892
Mr Ayres the blacksmith, Amersham (1883) by George WardAmersham Museum
Mr Ayres the blacksmith in 1883
Stevens the butcher's, Amersham (1922) by George WardAmersham Museum
Mr Stevens and Mr Pusey in their butchers' shop in 1922
Mr Hazell the gamekeeper, Amersham by George WardAmersham Museum
Mr Hazell the gamekeeper with his dog in Cow Pastures
New gasholder, Amersham (1910) by George WardAmersham Museum
The gas mains cometh ...
When the
demand for gas increased, a second gasholder was built on the Tan Yard, where George
and Bessie had first set up home. He recorded its construction and the
disruption to the streets in 1910 caused by laying a new gas main.
The new gasholder in Tan Yard in 1910
Market Hall, Amersham - laying gas (1910) by George WardAmersham Museum
The gas company cart outside the Market Hall 1910
High Street, Amersham (1910) by George WardAmersham Museum
Improving the road surface in the High Street with a steam roller 1910
Whielden Street, Amersham - new gas main (1910) by George WardAmersham Museum
Digging the trench for the new gas main in Whielden Street, September 1910
George Ward: Entrepreneur
By 1890, George and Bessie had a shop in the Broadway selling crockery and toys with a newly built photographic studio in the yard behind. In 1896 they moved to larger premises, opposite the Market Hall in Amersham High Street. Here George set up an engineering business and a ‘Cycle and Motor Works and Domestic Machinery Stores’. They offered a wide range of services, including watch repairs, and sold phonographs and records. Until about 1910 he manufactured the “Wizard” bicycle in his workshop.
George Ward Jnr in his father's workshop, Amersham High Street (1890/1900) by George WardAmersham Museum
George Ward Junior in his father's workshop c. 1895
Inside Bessie Ward's shop, Amersham (1890/1900) by George WardAmersham Museum
Bessie Ward's shop c. 1895
George Ward: the musician
In his spare time, George played the violin at chapels in the area and was a strong supporter of the Temperance Movement. He started the ‘Amersham Sons of Temperance Brass Band’ in 1890 and was the first bandmaster, secretary and treasurer. They practised in his photographic studio, which he hired to them for nine pence per night to include lighting and warming. This photograph shows the band with George Ward on the left. It is said that he was able to play all the musical instruments.
Amersham Town Band (1892) by George WardAmersham Museum
By 1892 the band had been renamed The Amersham Town Band, as various members had broken their pledge! Here George Ward is in the centre of the back row
George Ward: Amersham personality
Whilst photographing Elmodesham House for the Cheese family, George met his future wife, Elizabeth (Bessie) Eagles, who came from Malvern in Worcestershire. They married at Chenies Baptist Chapel in 1886.
Shortly after their wedding, George became the first manager of the new Amersham Gasworks and they moved into a house in the Tan Yard. As part of his duties, he used to ride around on his ‘Coventry’ tricycle at dusk lighting the street lamps. Soon George’s brother Fred took over as manager of the Gasworks and George and Bessie opened their first shop in the Broadway.
George and Bessie were married for over 50 years and their golden wedding was announced in the local paper in November 1936. By this time they had three sons and two grandchildren. Their sons George and Cornelius carried on the family business in the High Street for many years.
Elizabeth (Bessie) Ward by George WardAmersham Museum
Bessie Eagles, the future Mrs Ward, at Elmodesham House
Children in the Tan Yard, Amersham (1892) by George WardAmersham Museum
Children in Tan Yard, with the gasholder in the background 1910
Cornelius Ward with wooden horse, Amersham by George WardAmersham Museum
Cornelius (known as Corrie) was George Ward's youngest son. Photo taken in about 1904 when small boys wore skirts!
Portrait photography
Early photography required long exposure times and so portraits were very formal and usually unsmiling. By the 1890s, George Ward was able to take photographs relatively quickly so it was possible to capture more natural expressions.
Mother and daughter, Amersham (1892) by George WardAmersham Museum
A mother and daughter dressed in their best clothes c.1892
Mr Nichols the schoolmaster with his class of boys, Amersham (1895) by George WardAmersham Museum
Mr Nichols the schoolmaster with his class of boys 1895
Mr Clem Ford, manager of Weller’s Brewery (1892) by George WardAmersham Museum
Clem Ford, the Manager of Weller's brewery, with his sporting trophies 1892
Mr Randell and Annie Swaby in theatrical costume (1895) by George WardAmersham Museum
A studio portrait of Mr Randell (Butler at Coleshill House) and Annie Swaby in theatrical costume 1895
Mrs Toovey’s daughter, Amersham (1895) by George WardAmersham Museum
Mrs Toovey’s daughter in a formal pose in George Ward’s studio 1895
George Ward: Amersham's photographer
The earliest surviving photographs by George Ward date from the late 1880s, and show St. Mary’s Church before the restoration of the tower in 1890. His camera used glass plates coated with chemicals that captured the image as a negative. The positive image could then be printed onto paper. He methodically recorded his photographs in a notebook.We do not know where his first photographic studio was situated, but he records taking his first photograph in his new studio behind the shop in the Broadway on March 4th 1890. His early records show that he took many portraits of Ebenezer King and his dog in 1889 and 1890 as he worked to perfect his photographic skills.
Amersham from Coleshill Fields by George WardAmersham Museum
This view of Amersham clearly shows the tower of St. Mary’s Church before it was remodelled. The Rectory is on the hill behind.
High Street, Amersham (1915) by George WardAmersham Museum
The King's Arms in 1915 before the facade was "improved". Elmodesham House is at the right of the picture
Fire at the Malthouse behind the Broadway, Amersham (1890) by George WardAmersham Museum
After the 1890 fire at the Malthouse behind the Broadway in Amersham
Jubilee Celebrations at the Hare and Hounds, Amersham (1895) by George WardAmersham Museum
Jubilee Celebrations at the Hare and Hounds included a troupe of black faced entertainers before that became politically incorrect 1895
First car accident in the High Street, Amersham (1930) by George WardAmersham Museum
The first recorded car accident in the High Street, Amersham about 1930
Market Square, Amersham (1890) by George WardAmersham Museum
Sheep in Market Square with Mr Lillywhite, the policeman, in 1890
Town Mill, Amersham (1890/1900) by George WardAmersham Museum
Town Mill with the Dower House in the background c.1895
Boxing day meet, Market Sq, Amersham (1901) by George WardAmersham Museum
The Hunt meet in Market Square 1901
George
Ward : Motoring Pioneer
George Ward was one of the first car owners in Amersham. In 1904, he purchased a car called ‘The
Orient Express’ for £35 from Mr J. Powell in Kent. The car had been built by Bergmann’s Industriewerke in Gaggenau, Germany in 1898 and delivered to Mr Powell on a horse-drawn cart.
George Ward registered the car on March 31st 1904 (Registration number BH 260) and used the car until about 1909, when it was dismantled and stored in his “Wizard” cycle works behind the shop in Amersham. (The car in the picture to the right replaced it.) Orient Express cars were not a great technical success. The car featured in one of the earliest motoring novels The Lightning Conductor by C.N and A.M. Williamson, when it was referred to as “the Brute Beast”. The car required two people to operate the ten hand controls and one foot pedal.
The belt drive had three forward speed settings, 6 mph, 12 mph or 22mph and one reverse speed.
George Ward's Orient Express with his wife and sons: George, William & Cornelius by George WardAmersham Museum
Orient Express with George's wife and their three sons George, William & Cornelius c.1900
George Ward Jnr & William Ward outside Market Hall, Amersham by George WardAmersham Museum
George Ward's two older sons on their motorbikes outside the Market Hall
Changing Times
Photographs of St Mary’s Church, Amersham before, during and after the renovation works clearly show the amount of rebuilding. The building was refaced with flints and the tower was rebuilt with a small spire above the stairs. This photo shows the church before it was given a facelift.
St Mary's Church, Amersham (1890) by George WardAmersham Museum
Scaffolding surrounds the church during the works in 1890
St Mary's Church, Amersham showing War Memorial by George WardAmersham Museum
The Church after the works showing the war memorial cross in the churchyard, which was constructed in 1919 after the First World War. It was moved to the Memorial Gardens after WWII.
Union Workhouse, Amersham (1910) by George WardAmersham Museum
The Union Workhouse was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott who also designed the Albert memorial in Hyde Park and St Pancras Station in London. It was built in 1838 and served a number of local parishes and provided basic care of the elderly and those unable to work. The building later became Amersham General Hospital and is now Gilbert Scott Court.
Infirmary building at Amersham workhouse (1905) by George WardAmersham Museum
The infirmary building was a later addition to the workhouse complex. On this image the title was scratched into the negative by George Ward.
Shops
and Deliveries
Amersham had many family run shops and businesses in the early 20th century. They provided a wide range of services, including delivery of fresh produce. The method of delivery changed from horse-drawn transport to motor vehicles during George Ward’s lifetime.
Wade's shop, corner of Whielden St, Amersham (1889) by George WardAmersham Museum
Wade’s Corner Shop run by George Ward’s friend Ebenezer King 1889
Wade's shop window, corner of Whielden St, Amersham (1889) by George WardAmersham Museum
Wade’s window with price tags in shillings and pence 1889
Butcher in Whielden Street, Amersham (1891) by George WardAmersham Museum
Scott's the butcher in Whielden Street 1891
Mrs Aldridge's toy shop, Amersham (1889) by George WardAmersham Museum
Mrs Aldridge’s toy shop with hoops and skipping ropes hung beside the door 1889
Grocer's shop, Whielden St, Amersham (1888) by George WardAmersham Museum
A grocery shop in Whielden Street next to the Saracen’s Head 1888
James Gilbert on Weller's dray outside Queens Head, Chesham (1899) by George WardAmersham Museum
Weller’s brewery dray outside the Queen’s Head in Chesham 1899
Gurney's Butchers, Amersham (with oxen - Dumpling & Pudding) (1918) by George WardAmersham Museum
Gurney’s butcher’s shop with oxen named Suet & Dumpling pulling a wagon advertising Atora suet 1918
Chesham Bois Dairy milk cart - Harry Gill (1921) by George WardAmersham Museum
Chesham Bois Dairy delivering milk. Milk was dispensed from the churn by a measuring ladle into your own jug 1921
Percy Whitney, Whiteside's van, Amersham (1920) by George WardAmersham Museum
J. Whiteside, Amersham’s baker delivered fresh bread daily 1920
Time
to stand and stare
Children are often included in George Ward’s photographs. Sometimes they were wearing their best
clothes for a special event or deliberately placed for the photograph but often they were simply there as bystanders watching an entertainment. However, it seems that the arrival of the Dancing Bears caused the streets to clear rather than attract a crowd.
The annual Charter Fair, Amersham (1920/1930) by George WardAmersham Museum
The annual Charter Fair c. 1925
Amersham Town Band leads the procession towards the annual Flower Show (1901) by George WardAmersham Museum
The Amersham Town Band lead the procession along the High Street towards the annual Flower Show c. 1901
Boxing day meet, Market Sq, Amersham (1901) by George WardAmersham Museum
The Old Berkeley Hunt meet outside The Gables, seen from Ward’s upstairs window 1901
Under the Market Hall, Amersham (1899) by George WardAmersham Museum
A posed shot of children under the arches of the Market Hall, before the right hand arch was filled in by the second staircase. The rope attached to the fire bell can be seen hanging from the ceiling. 1899
Loading wool at the Elephant & Castle, Amersham (1891) by George WardAmersham Museum
Adults and children watching Mr Knight loading wool bales outside the Elephant & Castle 1891
Boys playing in the street in Market Square, Amersham (1899) by George WardAmersham Museum
A group of boys playing in the street outside the Crown Hotel 1899
Amersham Baptist Sunday School with the Town Band (1893) by George WardAmersham Museum
A group photograph of the Amersham Baptist Sunday School with the Town Band 1893
Sport
and Leisure
Early photography was unable to record action shots during a cricket or football match, so most of the sporting teams are shown as formal group portraits. However, he does give an insight into the very different activities enjoyed by men and women 100 years ago. This photograph is of "Mrs Potts and her dogs" in 1889.
Greasy pole competition in Rectory Meadow, Amersham (1917) by George WardAmersham Museum
The greasy pole competition at the Flower Show in Rectory Meadow. Dr Henderson in the trilby is judging. 1917
Start of Marathon from Market Hall, Amersham (1922) by Georeg WardAmersham Museum
The start of the Amersham Marathon race at the Market Hall was photographed by more than one camera as we can see the leg of a tripod on the right hand side. 1922
Amersham Football Team in fancy dress in Barn Meadow (1896) by George WardAmersham Museum
Amersham Football Team in fancy dress c. 1896. The team was started in 1890 by the Rev. E B Cooper, Headmaster of Dr. Challoner’s Grammar School, standing on the left.
Amersham Flower Show from Broadway, Dovecotes Meadow (1894) by George WardAmersham Museum
Amersham Flower Show in Dovecotes Meadow from the Broadway in 1894
Elderly lady in bath chair with companion (1895) by George WardAmersham Museum
An elderly lady in a bath chair with a young companion in 1895
Ford family with goat cart, High Street, Amersham (1895) by George WardAmersham Museum
The Ford family with children riding in a goat cart in 1895
Mrs Drake, Great Shardeloes, Amersham (1889) by George WardAmersham Museum
Mrs Drake of Shardeloes, dressed in a riding habit and riding side saddle, poses on a hunter outside the stables 1889
Two young women in a donkey cart by George WardAmersham Museum
Two young women in a donkey cart
Mrs Higham-Hunt of Hyde Heath with horse & cart by George WardAmersham Museum
Mrs Higham-Hunt of Hyde Heath with horse & cart
What
a picture!
George Ward was both a commercial photographer and a chronicler of events in the town. Some of his surviving photographs were clearly commissions, whilst others appear to reflect his own interests or were perhaps taken for friends. The resulting miscellany offers a unique insight into local happenings. The photograph to the right is of a temporary statue in Market Square of the Mayor of "Umberminster" for the film 'As He Was Born, 1919.
Weller's dray dressed for Coronation (1911) by George WardAmersham Museum
Weller's dray in the Broadway dressed for the Coronation in 1911
Harry Gilbert in pony and cart, Amersham (1912) by George WardAmersham Museum
Harry Gilbert in pony and cart in Amersham High Street. Not much traffic! 1912
Sheep in Amersham High street during Whit Monday cattle fair (1905) by George WardAmersham Museum
Sheep in the High Street near the Market Hall during the Whit Monday cattle fair 1905
Crashed biplane (1915) by George WardAmersham Museum
A stranded biplane somewhere near Amersham c. 1915
Milk churns on Amersham station platform (1920/1930) by George WardAmersham Museum
Milk churns in the foreground at Amersham station c. 1925
Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee, Post Office, Amersham (1887) by George WardAmersham Museum
Celebrating Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee outside the Post Office 1887
Oakfield Corner, Amersham by George WardAmersham Museum
Oakfield Corner in Amersham-on-the-Hill in the 1920s before traffic increased
Baptist Chapel outing, Amersham (1900) by Georeg WardAmersham Museum
All aboard. Setting off on the annual Baptist Chapel outing. 1900
Amersham High Street decorated for Edward VII’s coronation (1901) by George WardAmersham Museum
Frith House in the High Street decorated for Edward VII’s coronation 1901
Kensit's Wickliffe Preachers and children, Amersham (1896) by Georg WardAmersham Museum
Touring Preachers visit Amersham in 1896
Miss Ford collecting for "Silver bullet for Kaiser" in Amersham (1916) by George WardAmersham Museum
The Great War 1914-18
George Ward took many photos during WWI and these show soldiers and recruits, also something of what happened to those left behind.
A "silver bullet" for the Kaiser. Miss Ford raising money for wounded soldiers during the First World War. Coins have been pressed into the marrow which has been painted with the face of the Kaiser
Parade next to Market Hall, Amersham (1915) by George WardAmersham Museum
Parade next to the Market Hall in WWI
Raising money for the war effort, Amersham (1915) by George WardAmersham Museum
More fund raising for the war effort
Army and scouts parade in front of The Gables, High St, Amersham (1915) by George WardAmersham Museum
Parading with the Scouts in the High Street
Three female recruits smoking in public, Amersham (1915) by George WardAmersham Museum
Shock horror! Young women in uniform smoking in public.
Recruits in Market Square, Amersham (1915) by George WardAmersham Museum
Recruits on the left in Market Square
Museum front nowAmersham Museum
Amersham Museum
For information about the museum, see www.AmershamMuseum.org
All the photographs were taken by George Ward (1860-1943) of Amersham, Bucks and were digitised between 2004 and 2011 by Amersham Museum (which owns the copyright of the digitised images) from the original glass negatives.
This "exhibition" is based on one created by Jane Bowen in 2008 when she was the Curator. It has been updated in 2015 by Emily Toettcher, the current Curator, and Anthony del Tufo to include some of the Ward images donated or acquired since 2008.
www.AmershamMuseum.org www.AmershamHistory.info/people/george-ward
