Belgian refugees in Chesham

Belgian refugees in Chesham

During the First World War, Chesham gave sanctuary to an influx of refugees from Belgium, known as ‘Chesham’s Guests’. This is the story…

The story of United Reformed Church at Chesham

The story of United Reformed Church at Chesham

In 2022, Chesham URC marked the 50th anniversary of the United Reformed Church, with a special service on Sunday October 2nd followed by lunch and a history quiz. This the story of why it happened…

One hundred years of Chesham War Memorial

One hundred years of Chesham War Memorial

After the Great War ended, Chesham Council held a series of meetings to plan peace celebrations, and to decide upon fitting memorials for the town.

Mrs Checkley

We first came to Chesham from London in 1899, from a big three-storey house. Mrs Checkley recalls her life growing up in Chesham.

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William and Edgar Shillaker

Read the story of the Shillaker brothers, pioneers in the handbag trade who moved their business to Chesham, where they opened a small factory in Alma Road.

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Kath Geary

I was born in a council house in Latimer Road, the home of my grandmother and grandfather. My father’s parents, he too was born in Chesham. My mother came from Pontypridd in South Wales. She was in service in Amersham when she met my father.

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Kath Dolling

The wail of air-raid sirens over Penge, South-East London on Sunday 3rd September 1939 dramatically changed the life of eight-year-old Kathie Smith.

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Reggie Gray

Reggie was born to Reginald Joseph Gray and Gladys Rhoda, the daughter of labourer Jim Wright. Reginald’s family were Orkney Islanders originally, leaving for Gravesend in Kent where they went their separate ways.

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Iris Lloyd

Iris Lloyd – nee Cannings – tells her story of evacuation from London to Chesham during the war.

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Hilda Flello

Hilda Flello celebrated one hundred years in Chesham

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Shops in Chesham in the 1940s and 1950s

Bill Howard, great-nephew of the Howard Brothers, who founded the Woodware firm.

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The Broad family in brush making

W.L.Broad, “Lawson”, followed his father into the Brush Trade. Alfred Carter Broad, “AC”, born 1851 in Diss, Norfolk, apprenticed into brushmaking, in London. After meeting and marring in 1876, Martha, nee Osbourn, of Eye, they set up home above his fathers hard ware shop in Bury St Edmunds, making brushware for local farmers.

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Cooper at Chesham & Brackley Brewery in the 1950s

Barry Wilkins story about working as a cooper in the premises opposite the Brewery on White Hill, behind Priest’s Garage.

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