What year is that directory entry from, Bert? It appears to contradict the entries in the 1878, 1902 & 1910, of which I placed the extracts that appear on the first page.
I can't understand what the authors intended by sub-setting the text and using square brackets for [The Laurels], as if were out of sequence or a place of special note.
The other thing I noticed was that 'Elmslea' only appeared by name in the 1902 edition. Strange.
I guess we will have to wait until someone finds a large scale map, of the right era, with the names on it.
Hi marty99fred,I think you may have been misinformed.I joined the 102 amphibious transport column R.A.S.C in 1949 and it was based at the old american army hospital at clatterbridge and later moved to Chetwynd in oxton.The Laurels was at the time used by a Royal Engineer field squadron not to be confused with 113 assault regt Royal Engineers which was at Harrowby rd drill hall.
I stand corrected. I'm simply going by what is recorded in the Council's Planning Department records for the property which clearly state 102 Coy RASC.
As far as which property was the Laurels, Bert, the Planning Application clearly identifies it in 1981 as the pair of properties furthest away from Claughton Road. Although the houses weren't listed, the Council had to get Listed Building Consent to pull them down as they were within the boundary of the Birkenhead Park Conservation Area. Apart from anything else, the building that houses the Navy Club, which is the one nearest to Claughton Road, is stll called Thornbury.
Thanks Marty, I wouldn't argue with the planning application, there appears to be a lot of contradictory evidence around and mistakes made in a few Directories.The 1916 Wilmer's I put up is wrong and 1902 Norton put up is wrong, I'm assuming in the 1902, (South Lodge) should read (North Lodge) going by the sequence of properties. In 1901 Miss Forsyth lived in the North Lodge, of course she could have moved but unlikely. In 1901, the collection of census information was, Park Rd South, Gothic Lodge, Thornbury, Elmslie, The Laurels, Cottage, Claremont, Park Rd North Lodge. Which I take is the correct order. More misleading information below. 1901&1911.
God help us, Come yourself, Don't send Jesus, This is no place for children.
Shouldn't the pics of the Laurels have looked like this if starting from Conway st to Claughton rd? Or have I got the front and back views mixed up? After comparing with modern pic I think the view with the wall in it is the back and the one with the grass is the front nowadays. Must have been built to have a good view of the park and access to it at that time
Thanks Derek, that's really cleared things up!!! The photos as I posted them are the correct way round. The first photo shows the 'front' of The Laurels viewed from Park Road East, with the British Legion at the left of the photo. The second photo is the view from the Park side, with the Legion to the right.
