Gallery Package - John Topham


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C.D. Vaughan perfects his delivery at the Broadstairs and St Peter’s Sixth Open Bowling Tournament<br>29 September 1951 <br>©John Topham / TopFoto
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Home defence troops are left in drag as their Christmas charity performance was interrupted by a coastal alert near Gravesend<br>1940<br>©John Topham / TopFoto
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A signed portrait of Winston Churchill taken by John Topham at Chartwell.<br>1953
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John Topham slide show<br>John Topham presentation<br>Topham lecture<br>Wall of death cyclist<br>©TopFoto
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Northern Ireland. Small farmer preparing the land for sugar beet. County Derry. 20 June 1951
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Ten men tried their hardest to push the bus straight again after it had skidded right round near Farningham Kent. It blocked the road for over an hour before a breakdown gang put it right again. 5/12/50
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Gene Vincent acknowledges the applause which greeted his finale when he gave the audience a &quotrock and roll" session at the Granada, Dartford - 11th January 1960
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Barge Race (Sailing) preparations for final race &quotSara"<br>On River Thames off Greenhithe, Kent. Naval training vessel HMS Worcester can be seen in the background.<br>12 May 1953
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Barge Race (Sailing) preparations for fimal race &quotSara"<br>(Left to right - J Uglow, J Nunn, H Alston, J Mole, F. Mackie)<br>On River Thames off Greenhithe, Kent.<br>12 May 1953
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Road improvements as the Barking By Pass is widened.
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One of the cockle ladies of Penclawdd South Wales Mrs Lizzie Davies had worked on the sands for most of her life
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A Welsh Shepherd brings in a lame sheep from the winter snows of his hill farm Llangaver North Wales
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Cadets of HMS Worcester off Greenhithe Kent at rowing practice with their training ship in the background 10 July 1951
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Boys at play - The friends are looking at a boy's watch
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Man in cloth cap probably asking directions from a policeman in the street
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The traffic point on Tower Bridge was windswept and bleak. The pointsman's main function was to prevent traffic from attempting to cross the bridge once the elevation was in progress. It could be said of course that anyone daft enough to try it would get no more than he deserved.
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The humour of the young ladies fancy dress request for a pedestrian crossing seems sadly wasted on the stern-faced constable: &quotOy you - 'op it!"
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Police rescue poultry from poultry farms in the flooded area of the Thames in Kent - 2nd February 1953
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Boy with slingshot
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High Elms the countryside in the snow
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1933 Tower Bridge raised. Cars and bicycles traffic waiting.
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Press photographer during the war with gas mask and safety helmet.<br>by John Topham<br>
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Smokey Joe. A character seen around Sidcup, Bexley and Chislehurst for around thirty years. Usually he had an old bicyce with a pail containing a smouldering fire - hence his nickname
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London slum scenes<br>East End housewives took their Sunday dinners to the bakehouse to cook.<br>Limehouse - 1933
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London slum scenes<br>Old water pump in the East End, London<br>1930
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Camber Sands<br>1933<br>
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Children - salvage - bones
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Children at school in wartime - lessons with gas masks - gardening (1939-45)
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A lamb bleats in the snow.
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Boys playing on home made scooters in the docks of the East End of London.<br>1933
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One &quotOld Crock" That Won't Be Running it is a home made affair constructed from parts in a dealers yard. Driver 8 year old Nicholas Heddle of Wren Road Sidcup Kent 31st October 1958
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Hurrah for the fifth. Seven Year Old Anthony Foxwell Sidcup Kent could not wait for November 5th having fun with his sparkler firework 1960
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Picking raspberries for the Christmas trade 1934
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Mrs Peters went to the farm in 1916 with her husband. Now a widow, she is 59, but looks much yonger. She manages very capably with the help of her two brothers. This is her kitchen - the only modern convenience being the bottled gas and stove - which is brought some 8 miles every time a new bottle is needed. - 17th December 1950
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Miners in cage descending to coal mine
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Baby in a wooden crate
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Father and three sons are all chimney sweeps at Eltham SE9.<br>They are Mr Thomas Pearce (49) in front, followed by his sons John (26), David (24), and Geoffrey (12) - the latter still being at school but eager to learn on his days off.<br>The family records of chimney sweeping go back over 300 years - and Mr Pearce has five brothers in other parts of London who are all sweeps.<br>Incidentally, all the Pearce sons have had grammar school education - but all prefer to carry on the family tradition.<br>Father and sons all live at Eltham Hill, Eltham.<br>9th December 1958
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Rat catcher Alec Ellis - 20th July 1953
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Horses working on the farm - ploughing in Clydesdales, Ayrshire.
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Land girl driving tractor (or similar) during WW2
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Man cutting corn with a scythe - harvesting by hand. Picture shows Fred Goldup, aged 72, working on a farm near Shoreham, Kent, making way with his home made bender and scythe for the reaper to make a start on this field of wheat.<br>5th August 1947
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Meat and bone for lettuce on Jackson's farm near Ruxley, Kent.<br>18th July 1947
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Family around the tea table in Llangower, North Wales.<br>17th December 1950 - (possibly miners)
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This is Mr Philip Rye, his wife and five of his six children, who have lived in the hut shown in the picture for six and a half years. The children range from one to six years in age. Crockenhill, Kent.<br>5th November 1948
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Postman cycling through snow in Bough Beech, Kent.<br>28th December 1962
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Winter on the farm - stacked barley - 2nd January 1950
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Edward VIII visit to Wales
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Two pictures taken from almost the same viewpoint on grays Farm Estate (LCC) near Orpington, Kent. (X ref. M00982242).<br>This first picture shows the land when it was used for farming - with an excellent crop of wheat being harvested.<br>Today's picture (X ref.) shows the progress made by the builders. Only the tree on the left and the copse on top right remain of the original view.<br>Houses are being built at the rate of 30/40 per week and will house many thousands of London's workers.<br>10th February 1950
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Two pictures taken from almost the same viewpoint on grays Farm Estate (LCC) near Orpington, Kent. (X ref. M00982242).<br>This first picture shows the land when it was used for farming - with an excellent crop of wheat being harvested.<br>Today's picture (X ref.) shows the progress made by the builders. Only the tree on the left and the copse on top right remain of the original view.<br>Houses are being built at the rate of 30/40 per week and will house many thousands of London's workers.<br>10th February 1950
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Ploughing in Paddock Wood, Kent in 1937
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This picture, taken on 25th April 1950, shows a field of newly planted potatoes covered with over an inch of snow - near Swanley, Kent.<br>25th April 1950
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Womans Land Army 1940 Kent
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Charlie and his home made bender which he attaches to his swcythe to make the wheat lie for easy collection - when he cuts round the outside of a field ready for the bindre - at Shireham, Kent. Charlie is 74 years old, full name Charles Watson - and not thought of retiring yet!<br>5th August 1947
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William M Henderson, who farms a croft with his father at Coubal, Shetland, says only a Highland Garron horse could do the work on this hillside.<br>He is preparing for oats and the horse ploughs down hill and pulls light up hill.<br>20th May 1957
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Muddy farm track in December
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A man and his dogs in the Welsh mountains. Winter without snow would not be the same - and the farmers are always prepared for it.<br>26th November 1953
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This is the story of Ted Roberts. He works with his sister and brother on Rhydwen Farm, Llangower, North Wales. His sister is a widow, her husband having owned the farm. She now works it with the help of her brothers Ted and Bob. This is Ted, the shepherd.
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Thomas Williams of Dolhendre Farm, near Bala. His is the farm from which the scheme obtains the name.<br>15th May 1951
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Gulls following the plough across the Dornoch Firth - field patterns
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Hebridean cattle sale - though the day was wet it made little difference to the spectators or crofters. For many it meant meeting old friends after a six months lapse.
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Gateway to field in winter - Cornwall
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Vicar says goodbye to his son Sidcup Station Kent 1939
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Snow scene with farm buildings
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The National Trust Village of Chiddingstone, kent, photographed in the snow bynight. The scene was illuminated by the car headlights aided by a flash or two.<br>24th January 1958
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Jimmy the doney with milk churns
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For seventeen years Mr Harold Smith has been a postman and he lives and works in Sidcup, Kent. Who can resist this infectious greeting as he hands up the Christmas mail? Like postmen all over the world - he is an ever welcome visitor. Mr Smith, who lives at Dene Avenue, Sidcup, used to be a top rank amateur wrestler and fencer. 20th December 1960
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Alfred Bass, a grocer, of Church Street, Greenwich, has started his own war against the &quotTea Giants" - for he has cut his prices hy 1/8d (about 8.5p) per pound. In consequence of this his shop is crowded out from the time he opens - until closing time. The proprietary articles Trade Association, together with the tea wholesalers an producers, are very angry - and he has been warned that if he continues his cut price war supplies to him will be suspended. But this picture taken this afternoon shows that he is not worrying - and so long as customers need serving he will be there. - 12th February 1955
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HM King George VI - the late king photographed while inspecting a Home Guard unit during the Battle of Britain.<br>
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Children with gas masks at practice evacuation at St Mary Cray - Home Front in 1940
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Metal scrap becomes big business for salvage at Dartford - Home Front 1940
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Gravesend traffic lights were too well obscured for use during a black out - they could be seen at night, but during the day, especially in strong sunlight, were difficult to distinguish when changing colours - so now workmen have taken away the centre (amber) cover to give road users a warning they can see - and covers will be replaced at nightfall.<br>28th August 1939<br>
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Kent authorities have speeded up the traffic marking signs on all secondary roads to aid drivers should there be a general black out enforced.<br>Picture shows men with connected stencils by which they are able to paint white lines on the roadway centre - speedily and straight, at Bexley, Kent.<br>28th August 1939
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Children riding on horse and cart
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Floods in Orpington could have informed the enemy of possible flooded airfields. 1940
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Hop picking in Paddock Wood Kent<br>7th September 1962
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Portrait of a young girl.
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A tall job for Joseph Brigden, 75 as he gives the yearly trim to a giant yew tree hedge which runs down the side of a garden at Manor House, Betsham, Kent.<br>The hedge is roughly 26feet hisgh and Joseph has been cutting sice he started working there at age 13.<br>23rd March 1960
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Prince Charles at Cambridge University 1967
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Monday morning at a pawnshop in the East End of London. The women waited for the pawnshop to open; all their money had been spent on Saturday and bundles of clothes were pawned on Mondays to be redeemed at the end of the week if cash allowed. In one survey it was found that one family in three used a pawnbroker.<br>1930s
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Not far from a Sidcup hill on a spring morning. The worker unaware of the picture being taken is caught in an idyllic and peaceful lunch break away from the rigours of real life.<br>1938
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Rescued from the rubbish dump in the loft - an old spring wind gramophone.<br>Suitably mounted in two sections on an old box and it bringd delight to the ears of Teddy Edwards (9) from the skilful operation of Terry Bray (11).<br>Unfortunately the performance of the outfit is nowhere near Hi-Fi especially out of doors and with worn out records.<br>But it's great fun for these two Wellington Avenue, Sidcup, boys.<br>2nd September 1957
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&quotYours I believe" says 4-years old Gillian Palmer and little Ian Hutt experiences the most embarrassing moment of his two years. There he was enjoying himself on the beach off Plymouth Hoe, when the &quotdisaster" occurred - the elastic broke in his bathing trunks and down they fell. What else could he do but step out of them and pretend that nothing had happened. But trust a girl to notice when a chap is in a dilemma. Up steps Gillian, calmly picks up the trunks and with great aplomb hands them back to Ian, who manages to preserve his dignity to the end. (Both children live at Plymouth).
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Young competitor in the children's obstacle race has difficulty with an old motor tyre at Butlins Holiday Camp
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Indian elephant and his Mahout have a busy time - one day the visitors at the zoo were no fewer than 31,252. The new Indian elephant has naturally been having a busy time with the children.<br>August 26th
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Skating - Bastin, c.1890<br>A close fitting dress, well clear of the ankles, was considered suitable skating wear for ladies. Fur is too heavy and something lighter should be worn as a covering for the head... a sheet of brown paper placed between the outer and the under clothing is a capital chest protector. &quotOh, do skate, Mr Winkle," said Arabella. &quotI like to see it so much."<br>&quotOh, it is so graceful," said another young lady. A third young lady said it was elegant, and a fourth expressed her opinion that it was &quotswan-like".<br>Pickwick Papers<br>
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Carole Reinhart a 20 year old music student plays in a Salvation Army Band in Miami, Florida. She holds the title &quotCollege Queen of the USA" has been staying in England for two months on a working holiday.<br>Pictured at West Wickham, Kent where she has been staying.<br>16th August 1962
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Flock of sheep blocking roadway.<br>Exeter - 1936
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Captain L. Bolton, master of the Royal Artillery (Woolwich) Draghunt, chatting to a friend at a recent meet at Eynsford, Kent.<br>The car is one of the latest Graham's.<br>17th November 1936
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London's fifteen year old milkwoman - 15 year old Rose Brown of Marcia Road, Walworth, has taken the place of a milkman who was called up for the Forces. Every morning at 8 o'clock Rose starts out on her rounds pushing a heavily laden milk barrow. At 2pm she finishes and returns to the dairy to give a hand in the bottling department until 5pm. She volunteered for the job when the milkman was called up and nobody else could be found to take the job. Photo shows Rose Brown pushing her milk barrow as she proceeds on her rounds.<br>February 8th 1941
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Foot inspection 1939 - Royal West Kent Territorials training
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Air raid shelter in Downham - exterior
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1936 FA Cup Final Arsenal v Sheffield United -<br>Alex James with the cup after Arsenal had defeated Sheffield United.
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Young Arsenal supporter exercising his lungs on behalf of his team at the London &quotderby" between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at Highbury.<br>October 20th 1934
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Barrel Organ depot, Stepney 1933. The Italian/Cockney owner hired out the barrel organs by the day. The price varied from a shilling (5p) to half-a-crown (2s 6d or 12.5p) a day, depending on the number of tunes that the organ could play.
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Jitterbugging which came over from America in 1939. It never achieved the success of the Lambeth Walk, Christmas 1937, which sold more copies than any tune since 'Yes we have no Bananas'.
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September 1939 Young soldier and older man waiting on Sidcup station platform
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Stilt walker at work in Kent hopfields tying up the string on which hop bines will climb 16th April 1956
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An enterprising ex Royal Naval Chief Steward has sunk his gratuity into a mobile fish and chip shop and now takes hot dinners to workers in the fields and villages around the Dartford rural area in Kent.<br>Once and twice a week he visits the various farms, each on a different day, but mainly between the lunch hours or just before. Workers in the fields now know that on a certain day or two days during the week they have no need to take bread and cheese or sandwiches for lunch - for there will be hot fish and chips.<br>The ex Naval Chief Steward's name is H C Macroy, and he now has three mobile shops working the Kent farms and villages.<br>This picture shows one of them, an old ex-government ambulance, serving farm workers on a farm near Wilmington, Kent.<br>March 17th 1948
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On His Last Delivery, 12th November 1959<br>Postman Frederick Smith of Essex Road, Longfield, Kent, is photographed making his last delivery - for at 60 years and after 31 years as a Postman he is now retiring.<br>But the folk of Hartley, where he is seen making this final delivery, are the people who will miss him most - for he has spent the majority of his time working in that village.<br>
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Basket makers at Swanley 1936
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Britain's loneliest island - Inside the village shop, with Mrs A Till taking out some merchandise from the island's only refrigerator - it works by parafin.<br>July 22nd 1957
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Hospital scene - chimp helps nurse bandage little girl's foot
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Ford factory in London.<br>c.1935
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A seller of paper bags for harassed shoppers in Brixton market, London.<br>25th February 1950
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What a dog has to put up with.<br>....seems to be the thoughts of &quotMajor" , a spaniel owned by Mrs. Margaret Hale of Crayford, Kent.<br>They were out canvassing for the Dartford Conservative Candidate - Miss Margaret Roberts (later Mrs. Thatcher)<br>21st February 1950
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Edward Heath being carried by suppoters after winning his seat in Bexley Heath for the 1951 general election.<br>26th October 1951
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Boys fishing in the River Darent at Shoreham
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UK Devon<br>A travelling salesman shouts and rings a bell to attract residents to his wares.<br>1935 Picture by John Topham
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Children of hop pickers watch the Battle of Britain rage overhead, Kent 1940.
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Mrs. Smith wakens the dockers of Limehouse with her peashooter.<br>1927
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Bill Price - Miner<br>Nannington coal mine - January 1947
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Harry Heathfield - Hedger<br>6th February 1951
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L. Papa and son's, Diploma Ice Cream Seller.
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Small girl buying from a newsagent.<br>W.H. Smith bookstall.<br>1934<br>
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Ford factory in London.<br>c. 1935
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Few Workers possessed alarm clocks to the services of this Knocker Up were in demand<br>She woke her clients by shooting peas at their windows
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&quotHere comes the sun" the Meopham Youth Club's production 3rd February 1959<br>
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Scottish girl carrying wheat 1952
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