This photograph of the junction of George Street and Silver Street with Sambourne Road was taken in about 1906. It is so very much of its time, and it is full of interest.
When a photographer had set up his camera and was about to take a photograph, anybody nearby would be keen to feature in the picture.
The man with the pail and ladle was a milkman. A level ladle of milk would be, perhaps, a pint of milk and the customer provided their own containers.
The open fronted shop of Mr Brown, the fish monger, was typical of fresh-fish shops in England until the outbreak of war in 1939. The young lad standing behind the cart, seems to be holding a knife, so he could be an employee of Mr Brown. You left school at 12 in those days.
The man standing in the doorway of the White Hart, was (probably) the porter and general assistant. He was from Ireland and he was resident at the White Hart. The hotel was run by a widow, Maria Adams and the census return says that she was born “at sea”. The family was probably on their way to Rhodesia, because that is where the census states that her son was born.
The sophisticated young lady with the folded parasol, is standing with her companion outside Matilda White’s shop. Miss White was a milliner who also sold fancy fashion ware, and her shop would be of great interest to a fashion-conscious young woman.
The buildings behind the young lady have been demolished and this is now the road into the car park, the council offices and Morrisons. About 11 homes and several other buildings were removed to give access to the car park. All the residents in these buildings were interesting people, and Dr. Young has advertised his surgery by the notice on the window of a former shop.
One resident, however, is worthy of special note. Samuel King was a Colporteur. He sold bibles, Christian books and religious publications over a wide area around Warminster. His area was so wide, that he must have been away from home for the full five weekdays most weeks. We have included a photograph of his delivery vehicle – and driving it must have been hard work.
