Collins – 13 & 30 Anerley Vale

COLLINS – 13 & 30 Anerley Vale

In 1901, 1911 and 1921, Charles Collins (Bn 1863 D1933), occupation a Paper Hanger and House Painter lived at No 13 Anerley Vale (4 rooms) with his wife Emily (Bn 27 October 1866), (four sons and three daughters – 1911). In 1881 (aged 16) Charles lived at 14 Evelina Road, Penge. His father was also a Painter/Paper Hanger. Charles married Emily in 1887 at All Saints Church when he was 22 and she, 20 years old. Her father was an Upholsterer. In 1891, Charles and Emily lived at 30 Anerley Vale.

In 1921, their daughter Florence, aged 16, was a Shop Assistant at Saunders Brothers, 28 Westow Hill and their daughter Amy, aged 14, was an Apprentice Dressmaker for Mr Whittle, at 5 Anerley Road.

Wife Emily, died a WWII Civilian Death, on 4 September 1944, from injuries on 2 July 1944, aged 78. On this date, a V1 also struck at 9:28am in the Castledine Road, St Hugh’s Road, and Anerley Park area and caused major devastation and eleven known deaths.

Son, James Edwin Collins (Bn 2 Jan 1897 D1973) enlisted in 1916, aged 18, when his occupation had been a Milk Carrier and he had also been employed by WH Smith’s bookstall, Gipsy Hill.  5ft 4”. He became a Driver in the Royal Field Artillery in France (146381). He also trained in Signalling. Fought in Solingen, Germany and was a Driver, in France (Royal Field Artillery). He was hospitalised with scabies. In 1921 he was a Railwayman at Norwood Junction Station, for the London Brighton South Coast Railway, living with his family at 13 Anerley Vale, later living in Beckenham, occupation, a Pattern Maker Light Castings (1939 Register). His brother William (B1902) also moved to Beckenham (1939 Register) and became a Stableman.