Glimpse history through old images of Battersea, in Greater London.
Old Pictures of Battersea
Etching of Battersea, published sometime between 1720-1750, former owner George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820, now part of the Topographical Collection of George III in the British Library archivesOld picture of Battersea London England, published 1742. Image: The Topographical Collection of George III/British Library/ Flikr.Old picture of the South West View of Battersea Church, London, published in 1750. Image: The Topographical Collection of George III/British Library/ Flikr.Old picture of the North View of Battersea Church in London, published in 1750. Image: The Topographical Collection of George III/British Library/ Flikr.Old picture of a view near Mr Smith’s house in Battersea, published 1750. Image: The Topographical Collection of George III/British Library/ Flikr.Old picture of a view near Battersea Church in London, published 1752. Image: The Topographical Collection of George III/British Library/ Flikr.Old picture of the river Thames at Battersea, London, published 1784. Image: The Topographical Collection of George III/British Library/ Flikr.Old picture of a rural scene near Battersea, London, published in 1788. Image: The Topographical Collection of George III/British Library/ Flikr.Old picture of Battersea Bridge in London, published circa 1803. Image: The Topographical Collection of George III/British Library/ Flikr.Old picture of Battersea Bridge in London, published in 1849. Image: “A Picturesque Tour of the River Thames in its Western Course; including particular descriptions of Richmond, Windsor, and Hampton Court … Illustrated, etc”, by Murray, John Fisher, /British Library/ Flikr.Old book illustration of the Baptist Temporary Chapel in Surrey Lane, Battersea, London, published in 1882. Image: “All about Battersea” by Henry S. Simmonds/British Library/Flikr.Old book illustration of St Saviour’s Church in Lower Wandsworth Road, which became Battersea Park Road, published in 1882. Image: “All about Battersea” by Henry S. Simmonds/British Library/Flikr.Old book illustration of St George’s Church in Battersea, London, published in 1882. Image: “All about Battersea” by Henry S. Simmonds/British Library/Flikr.Old picture of an aerial view of Battersea in London, published in 1882. Image: “All about Battersea” by Henry S. Simmonds/British Library/Flikr.Old book illustration of St Mary’s Church in Battersea, London, published in 1882. Image: “All about Battersea” by Henry S. Simmonds/British Library/Flikr.Old book illustration of the Red House, Battersea, London, published in 1898. Image: “The Municipal Parks Gardens, and Open Spaces of London: their history and associations … Illustrated, etc”, by Sexby, John James [person]/British Library/Flikr.
Old Photos of Battersea
Old photo of Battersea Park in London, England, taken in 1902. Image: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.Old photo of the Palm Garden in Battersea Park, London, in 1902. Image: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.Old photo of the MP Richard Bell addressing railwaymen at Battersea Town Hall in London, England, circa 1907. Image: The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Print Collection, The New York Public Library.Old photo postcard of the Polytechnic at Battersea in London, England. Image: Mark Crombie/Flikr.Old photo of a little girl in the wreckage at Battersea following the V-2 rocket attack of 27th January 1945. Image: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.Old photo of wreckage caused by the V-2 rocket attack on Battersea on 27th January 1945. Image: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.Old photo of some of the Battersea residents following the V-2 rocket attack on 27th January 1945. Image: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.
Royal Visitors 1938
On 21st March 1938, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth visited working class homes at Battersea and Lambeth.
King and Queen in South London – British Movietone on YouTube
Gas Explosition! 1962
In 1962, a fire broke out in the garage of a Battersea haulage contractor, which unfortunately contained acetylene and oxygen cylinders.
They exploded with the force of a 500 pound bomb!
The incident damaged 30 nearby homes, and people were evacutaed by the police, who were worried about a petrol storage tank exploding too.
It also stopped the local railway network for several hours, since the garage was right under a railway arch.
Battersea Explosion (1962) – British Pathé on YouTube
Indoor Ski Slope 1962
This silent short clip from 1962 shows Mr Charles Forte opening the ski slope in Battersea Park.
It’s made of Bakelite Vybak PVC and is 100% British. More hilariously, when skiiers get to the end they have to walk up sideways to the top again.
Indoor Ski Slope At Battersea Park (1962) – British Pathé on YouTube
Pancake Day 1970
Shrove Tuesday saw pancake races at Battersea park, including the Playboy bunnies who were cheered on by British Formula One racing driver, Stirling Moss.
Other contestants included film actresses Liz Fraser, Dora Bryan, Sylvia Syms, and Rita Tushingham, as well as Miss London Stores Penny Webster and Blue Peter presenter Valerie Singleton.
Battersea Pancake Race (1970) – British Pathé on YouTube
