WW2 – King's Cross Story Palace

1940s-2018 King's Cross, London UK

I think we forget

Jean Hart was born in the East End in 1931 and has lived in Kentish Town and its environs for the last 50 years. An actor, singer and educator she shares memories of her King’s Cross, starting with her evacuation on a steam train during WW2. WAR STORY “One little case also labelled” – Jean ...

2018 Caledonian Rd, Kings Cross, London

Serving the drinks is the easy part

When Bradley Roberts took over the Thornhill Arms, a 19th century pub on the corner of Caledonian Road and Wynford Road he didn’t quite know what he had signed up to. He had hardly any experience of pulling pints let alone managing the business side of the pub and so not surprisingly he found it ...

1929 Wynford Rd, London, UK

You could play football in the street

Born in 1929, Arthur Mills moved to a block of flats on the corner of Wynford Road and Penton Street when he was five. His mother refused to evacuate the family during the war and because the schools closed, Arthur’s early childhood was spent playing in the streets and bombed out houses. Wartime austerity meant ...

1980s Argyle Street, London, UK

Window boxes and needle exchanges

Sioned Churchill’s first job in King’s Cross was at the Neighbourhood Centre on Argyle Street, where she organised activities for older people. At the time she was struck by the camaraderie and sense of community that she found there. The residents were cheerful, resilient and full of humour, despite the hardship that some of them ...

1920-2017 Caledonian Rd, Kings Cross, London

Let me call you sweetheart

We first met Queenie while running a story sharing event at the Millman St Community Centre in Camden. Queenie’s presence at these sessions was always felt. Shouting out when she remembered things – always keen for a sing along, her love for the area she has spent a lifetime in was clearly evident. At 97 ...