Gas masks in Basildon Road

These pictures show Ada Mackie and son Donald in the back garden at 84 Basildon Road, Abbey Wood. I presume they were taken early in WWII when dressing up in gas masks and tin hats must have been considered a bit of a laugh. Also, Don is still in civvies; he didn't enlist until November 1940. The house was destroyed by a bomb during the War (fortunately with no loss of life as Ada and Bert were then living at Walsingham Lodge, Chislehurst and Don was away on active service.) It was subsequently rebuilt. I don't think Ada and Bert ever moved back there, but Don and his wife Eileen moved in during 1948 and the house stayed in the family until your blogger sold up and moved out in November 2004.

Ada at Walsingham Lodge

The first picture show Ada Mackie standing in an arched doorway. Written on the back is "Walsingham Lodge, Chislehurst. During the War. 'Mum.'" The photographer must be her son Jack, more often behind the camera than in front of it. The fact that it says "during the war" highlights that the print was made some time later. That's also Ada standing in a doorway shading her eyes. I do not recognise the location and she is wearing a different dress. I think that is also Ada in the next picture, but it is difficult to be certain as her face is in shadows. Again, she is dressed differently and I cannot identify the location. I am guessing the ivy-covered building could be 'Walsingham' but cannot say for certain.

Walsingham Lodge - 1940s - part three

Another two carrying the same number on the back. The first picture is clearly Walsingham Lodge again. It is taken from a similar angle to the picture in the "part two" post, but some time later. A bough of the tree in front of the lodge has been cut back, but there is substantial new growth from the stump. Is the other building "Walsingham"?

Walsingham Lodge - 1940s - part two

These three pictures carry the same number on the back and so presumably they come from the same roll of film. They are also taken in practically identical weather conditions - light snow - so no doubt were taken in the same area at the same time. The portrait-style picture is clearly Walsingham Lodge, but seen this time from inside the grounds. The other two (which overlap and no doubt were intended to give some sort of panoramic view) were presumably taken nearby.

Walsingham Lodge - 1940s - part one

This is taken from the same angle as the recent photo in my previous post. The gates have gone, the ivy has been trimmed back and there is the conspicuous addition of a dormer window in the roof. Otherwise, little has changed.

Walsingham Lodge - history & recent photos

During WWII, Bert and Ada Mackie lived at Walsingham Lodge, Manor Park, Chislehurst. This address is shown on Bert's will dated 6th June 1943. They were living at Basildon Road, Abbey Wood (of which more later) before the war and returned there afterwards. It is very likely that they were at Walsingham Lodge in connection with Bert's work for the government. (His death certificate describes him as retired chief clerk with the Ministry of Supply.) Amongst the archives, I have an "On His Majesty's Service" envelope addressed to "Mr Mackie, I.M.T. Walsingham." It carries no postage, implying it was sent by some form of internal mail. It contains a number of passport-type photographs, some of which are stamped "Chief Inspector of Mechanization, Photographic Section, Chislehurst, 13 FEB 1941". The pictures are all head & shoulders portraits identified by surnames only in pencil on the back. I presume these were Bert's colleagues. (I wasn't intending to post these photos here as they are not actually of relatives and I imagine they will be of little interest. But if anybody would like to see them, let me know.)

Walsingham Lodge is still extant. Thanks to John Stiles for providing these two recent photos and also the following notes from Discover Chislehurst (D. Spurgeon, 2007):

'Walsingham' Manor Park. A 'Queen Anne' style house built c.1880 (architect - George Somers Leigh Clarke). Also part of property 'Walsingham Lodge' and 'Walsingham Cottage'.

Walsingham Cottage is to the right of Walsingham Lodge, but hidden behind hoardings at present owing to building work. Walsingham Lodge now has a dormer loft conversion in the roof.

Leo White - Further Internet References

Please check back on this section from time to time for updates

Here are some pictures of his grave. This also includes a picture of him without moustache.

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=8103797

The tombstone makes him older than other sources would have us believe, as it says he was born in 1873. [Update. I have seen his entry in the April 1930 census where his age is given as 47. This is consistent with the 1882 birth date quoted elsewhere.]

This website matches the dates given in imdb, but tells us he was born in Manchester
http://www.citwf.com/detailPerson.asp?personID=438091&sortOn=YEAR&sortBy=UP

http://www.screenrush.co.uk/personne/galerievignette_gen_cpersonne=184645&cmediafichier=18821062.html
Just three photos here and I have seen two of them before (in fact I have probably seen the other one, but it was not captioned with Leo's name).

http://www.historicphotoarchive.com/caps/00086.html
Leo White might be in this picture

http://www.lesgensducinema.com/entree.php
Enter Leo White in "Rechercher" box then click the icon next to the search result. Dates are same as for imdb but this source says he was born in Manchester.

Update 31 March 2008. A couple more pictures here
http://www.silentera.com/PSFL/data/H/HisNewJob1915.html
http://www.silentera.com/PSFL/data/N/NightOut1915.html
And possibly this one
http://www.silentera.com/PSFL/data/D/DevilsPasskey1920.html

Clips of him surface from time to time on Youtube. I won't give specific URLs as it would be practically impossible to keep the references up to date, but if you search Youtube for "Charlie Chaplin" plus the title of one of his Essanay films (See the BFI website referenced in an earlier post) you may find something. Currently there are some clips from "Police" in which Leo plays three parts. He appears as a fruit seller and flop house proprietor - and kicks Chaplin's backside in both roles. He also appears as one of the policemen but it is difficult to be sure which as he frequently performed in false beards and moustaches.