SEnine
HISTORIC ELTHAM
from the Latters in 1923. A visitor in 1929 Crescent was being enlarged in 1903 Mrs
remembers the lovely conservatory Latter donated the ladychapel in memory
which led from the drawing room of her sister Miss Agnes Elizabeth Plevins
behind which was an enormous garden with a dedication to St Agnes. Mrs Latter
and a fountain. Peach, melon and grape raised no objection when the chapel was
hot houses had been built by Mr Latter adapted for the Gallipoli memorial to
who owned the property from the early the 29th Division. Mrs Latter’s name can
1900s. The view across the garden was to be seen on the church hall foundation
the farmland beyond – today the cows stone at All Saints, Bercta Road, which
have given way to the Co-op sports she ceremonially laid in 1924.
ground and the garden has sprouted
houses to the Footscray Road frontage. The Edwardian grand house of the Latters
Alfred Charles Latter was a keen golfer was a contrast to its use as a farmhouse
and was treasurer of the Eltham Golf in Victorian times when the John Greens
Club. The weather vane on the top of - father and son - were the occupiers and
Southend Hall was in the shape of a farmed a large acreage in the district. The
golfer and at his own expense had a 1839 Tithe Map states that John Green
Southend Hall, garden and conservatory from the south, in 1909
gate fitted to land opposite his home had a house, pleasure garden and pond,
On 15 October 1938 Southend Hall was
officially opened by the Secretary of State
for Air, Sir Kingsley Wood, who was also
MP for West Woolwich. The ceremony
was followed by a gala dance in the new
drill hall lasting till 2am.
The ‘338th’ were called up
on 24 August 1939 and
based in the Romney Marsh
area. Their first tented HQ
was behind the Duke’s
Head at Ham Street and
The Footscray Road frontage in 1991
they later saw much enemy
action.
so that he had a short cut through to drying ground, barn and a rickyard. John
From August 1940 the
the golf course, which since 1923 has Green was fond of peacocks which
Home Guard took over
been the Royal Blackheath. The Latter’s could be seen strutting about the farm
Southend Hall and thus was
supported many local causes including premises and were admired by nature
formed the 21st County of
the Eltham and Mottingham Cottage writer Richard Jefferies, who lived at 59
London (Eltham) Battalion
Hospital where Mr Latter was treasurer Footscray Road from 1884-1885, and
under the command of
and president. watched them fly across the road to the
Lieutenant General Douglas
farm.
Second World War Home Guard rifle team behind the garages and drill hall
Brownrigg. A ‘Join In and
When Holy Trinity Church at Southend
Sing’ event
Demolition of Southend Hall in 1971
was held in the drill hall
exposed some extensive 17th century
on 13 November 1941
brick cellars. Under the pavement,
with BBC chorus master
abutting the house, was unearthed
Leslie Woodgate leading
an early, damp-smelling, brick-arched
various acts including
drainage system which appeared to run
George Pizzey, baritone,
under the road from the B&Q direction
and John Willis at the
and had to be lowered to build the
piano.
access road.
The military authorities
A military presence is still maintained to
bought Southend Hall
the south of the site in the HQ of an army
in 1937 from the Davis
cadet force and the Footscray Road pillar
family who in turn had
box has seen a few changes!
purchased the property
The exposed brick-arched drainage system in 1972
Be active in your community
Pictures are from the John Kennett collection
21
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