Camberwell, London: History in Old Images

Enjoy a glimpse of history through old images of Camberwell, in the London Borough of Southwark, Greater London, England, UK.

WW1 Charity Pageant

A rather curious parade of costumes are seen as young women walk around the side of a large building in Camberwell.

Charity Pageant – Camberwell (1914-1918) – British Pathé on YouTube

Unemployed Workers 1920

It’s only a few seconds long, but this vintage film clip shows unemployed workers gathered in Camberwell to protest against the harsh economic conditions of 1920. Their banner says ‘Justice’.

This is just two years after Britain’s young men were fighting for their country in the trenches of France and Belgium, and battling in conflicts across the world.

Unemployed procession at Camberwell (1920) – British Pathé on YouTube

Camberwell Children 1924

In 1924, a simian called Joey escaped from a zoo. He was on the run for 13 days, before being caught from a terrace in Camberwell.

The news item recorded hundreds of unaccompanied local children, excitedly watching the capture of this little monkey.

There are also a few glimpses of some of the local buildings, too.

Poor Old Joey Camberwell (1924) – British Pathé on YouTube

Camberwell Mural 1959

The eminent Victorian poet Robert Browning was born in Walworth in the parish of Camberwell, in the year 1812.

His 1842 publication Dramatic Lyrics, part of the Bells and Pomegranates series, included the 303 line narrative poem of The Pied Piper of Hamelin.

In 1959 the Viennese sculptor and mural designer Willi Soukop designed a modern and abstract concrete mural based on The Pied Piper, commissioned by LCC for Camberwell as a nod to Browning’s birthplace.

In this short news item, Willi Soukop explains his work to Sir Isaac Haywood, the Leader of LCC, and other officials and members.

News In Flashes – Camberwell (1959) – British Pathé on YouTube

More about London

• 
  Old Images of Ludgate Hill, London
  Glimpse history through old images of Ludgate Hill, in the historic city of London.
• 
  Old Images of the London Underground Victoria Line
  Glimpse the past through old images of the London Underground Victoria Line, built during the 1960s.
• 
  Old Images of the Chelsea Pensioners, London: Old Age Lived Well
  Glimpse history through fascinating old images of the Chelsea Pensioners in London.
• 
  Old Images of Chelsea Arts Ball
  Glimpse the past through old images of the Chelsea Arts Ball in years gone by.
• 
  Old Images of London Streets
  Glimpse the past through old images of London Streets.
• 
  Old Images of London Roads
  Glimpse the past through old images of London roads.
• 
  Old Images of Marylebone Station
  Glimpse history through old images of Marylebone Station, in the City of Westminster, in London’s West End.
• 
  Old Images of Marylebone, London
  Glimpse history through old images of Marylebone, in the City of Westminster, London, England.