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A former scout described the facilities, ‘the Troop room, where all our parades and meetings were held in bad weather, was a long loft above a series of old stables which were no longer in use, and access to it was gained by means of an outsize step ladder. This room had low walls on each side and the undersides of the steeply pitched roof with exposed rafters and collar beams formed the ceiling. Small roof lights and a window in the wall, which looked out across fi elds, gave light in the daytime. The fl oor was


miniature railway track on the east side of the house fl uttered the Union Jack with the picturesqueness of the scene enhanced by the graceful movements of the host’s beautiful snow-white pigeons, which swept to and fro across the grounds.’ Political speeches were made from the terrace on topical issues and teas and refreshments were available at moderate prices.


Scouts receiving a wireless message, 1912


carpeted with coconut matting and two small combustion stoves gave warmth in winter. Furniture consisted of a few chairs and tables, some forms, patrol lockers and the scouter’s writing desk at the far end near the book shelves which formed the library. The room was further decorated with charts, pictures, pioneering models and trophies. During week-end training in the winter months it came into use as a dormitory, and how cosy it could be!’ Eltham scouts were also allowed to camp in the grounds, partake in an annual sports day and in 1912 install and operate an outdoor wireless installation.


Sir Harry North, as a member of the local Conservative & Unionist Association, let his grounds out to the Eltham ward for an annual garden party. In 1911 the event took place on Saturday 22 July between 4 to 9pm with music provided by the band of HM 4th London Royal Field Artillery under bandmaster WH Larkin. The day was exceptionally hot; a contemporary report states that, ‘From the fl agstaff towering from the centre of Sir Harry’s


Volunteer and help out


Another of Sir Harry’s interests was in the formation of the Eltham Defence C ompan y whose 600 members saw service during the First World War in larger units. In May 1919 they had a reunion, and offi cial stand down, at Lemonwell which forty-six members were able to attend. General Sir Desmond O’Callaghan, the company’s fi rst Honorary Colonel, took the salute as the men marched by. Following a hearty tea, and dancing on the lawn to music played by the Eltham Town Band the party made for the small Eltham cinema in the High Street which was decorated on the outside with fl ags of the allies. Songs were sung and fi lms shown including one of the Company in its early days, and at Lemonwell. Sir Harry remarked to applause, ‘You will see us on the screen in mufti and what we were ready to do when the time came.’


Both he and Lady North attended the scouts’ sports meeting in July 1920 but Sir Harry died in November in a taxi on the way to Charing Cross Hospital after collapsing in the foyer of The Coliseum. The funeral procession, including his son and two daughters, brought Eltham High Street to a standstill as hundreds of people paid their respects. Shops and businesses were closed as the procession made its way from Holy


HISTORIC ELTHAM


Trinity church, at Southend Crescent, for burial in the North family vault at Eltham churchyard behind St John’s church. He was 54.


The 2nd Royal Eltham scouts were allowed to use their HQ for a few years but by the mid 1920s had found a new home at the Chaundrye in Court Yard. In 1921 Lemonwell was put to auction but did not reach its reserve price. A few


Military offi cials (First World War time) on the terrace at Lemonwell. Major Sir Harry North fourth from the left; his son Lieutenant Vivian North, Kings Royal Rifl e Corps,


years later it was bought by local builder William Childs. He divided the house into three units and houses were built along Bexley Road, down to the Avery Hill entrance, with the former coach house being converted for residential use.


Lemonwell was demolished in 1961 and twenty-four fl ats and garages constructed for local authority tenants. One mystery remains. What happened to, and where was, the old bricked well, which gave its name to the house, and according to ancient tradition, had curative powers for eyes?


Lemonwell fl ats, 2011 All pictures are from the John Kennett collection 21


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