Soon after the First World War, Joe Disson, my Grandfather, started a building and construction business. By the 1920s, it had become a successful local business.
He is seen here photographed with his staff on a company day outing starting from Cochrane Street, circa 1927. My Grandfather and my Dad, also Joe, are seen on the right of the charabanc. In the photograph, are two of my Dad’s younger brothers, Perce and Willy, all looking forward to a day out on the coast.
My Grandfather died in 1941. Unfortunately the business was badly affected by WW2, as all the staff were called up for war service. My Dad, the eldest son, was left to keep the business ticking over. Meanwhile, Dad joined the The Home Guard, manning the Anti-Aircraft guns on Hampstead Heath. I believe, throughout the whole of the war, the unit never recorded a single direct hit. On returning home after a hard night on the guns, I often remember my Dad saying how good the Full English Breakfast had been that morning, all deliciously served up for the ‘troops’. At least someone in the family was being well fed!
From the late twenties, the building business was run from a large builders’ yard, together with a workshop and offices, on the corner of Woronzow Road and St John’s Wood Terrace. The site was, eventually, compulsorily taken over for redevelopment in the late fifties causing the business to move to new premises in Charlbert Street.
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Hi are you any relation to Maureen Disson who lived in Ordnance Hill between 1950 1960 I believe she married around in 1965 to David Aldridge – only I lived a few doors from her and we both went to Barrow Hill Road School
Hello, I posted comment above. I am hoping to contact John Disson.
Is it possible to send him my email address so he can email me on faulkner95@hotmail.com
Hi John, we have an original copy of this photo from Henry Hill, the man on far left, outside and leaning on the charabanc. Did each of the men get a copy as a keepsake ?
He is my maternal grandfather, he was about 42 years old when photo was taken. He had been married 22 years and had 11 children the last one born in 1926. 8 survived to adulthood
He was a builder who seemed to specialise in brick piers to support very large ornamental iron gates.
We think he might have been born in Ireland and would like to find out more about him
He was born 1st April 1885, married in 1905 and died aged 78 in 1963.
If you have any information on my grandfather please email me.
I also have a very old photo of a pub with 2 women and 4 men standing outside, it was also from my grandfather, supposedly where he lived, possibly where he was born.
I have it on computer so I could email it to you for your comments
Thanks Bob
Hello John, I believe we are related somewhere along the line, I think your nan and my nan were sisters, I also believe they had a brother Henry who was killed at the battle of Jutland in WW1.
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