The Hello Man

October 28, 2009

George was born in Bow East, London in the 1920s – his Mum was Irish and his Dad was Scottish.  George would like to share his childhood and adult life with the Family Grapevine.

It was 7.45am when out of Number 49, Donald Street, a curly platinum blonde 4 year old and his older brother emerged on their way to the corner shop. The older one asked the Shopkeeper for 5 woodbines for his dad while Georgie discreetly and swiftly helped himself to a Milky Way bar which he took home for his Mum.

It was to be Georgie’s first day at school and he was so excited he “browned” his trousers. But Georgie was a good learner and quickly became the star in the infant section of the school.

Our Street was mostly occupied by poor working class families, but managed to produce three superstars – a professor of mathematics, a murderer and Georgie who loved all kids of sport. But time moved on and so did his family. His dad had a lucky win on the pools and purchased a pet shop in Camberwell. This pleased Georgie who loved all animals and soon adapted to the change. He was able to ride a horse when he was only 5 years old.
Dad’s business went bust, but he managed to purchase a big house in the residential area of Peckham. Georgie now 8 years old decided to be a buiness man so he looked around the local market place and spotted orange boxes which he chopped up and sold for 1 penny a bundle. He also noted the horse manure deposited on the streets. This was quite profitable. Two pence per bucket. Dad was out of work, but acquired a horse and cart and became a “Totter” (ie a rag and bone man). Our little man’s effort made a few shillings a week. Then the horse driven vehicles were replaced by electric ones and impinged on Georgie’s profits. However not to be denied, the boy found a job as a cat’s meat retailer delivering the goods on a boxed tricycle which he could hardly see over the top. His wage was 7/6 per week after school hours plus Saturday and Sunday mornings. It was hard but very educational.

Another addition to the family and we had to move house. Goodbye Peckham – hello Brixton – where Georgie really began to shine!

This is only the beginning of my story and my adventures continue in the next edition.

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