Prefabs in Henwood Road, Rotherhithe, London, SE16

Our prefab was located in Rotherhithe, London SE16.

Mum and Dad had both served in the RAF. They met when stationed on the IOW. Dad was from a small village near Bishop Auckland, Co Durham, Mum was a Londoner from Lambeth. They married in 1944 and continued serving until the end of the war. They were offered a prefab in 1946 in Henwood Road. It was in a small cul de sac with the garden backing on to Southwark Park. Every occupant of the 10 prefabs had served in the forces so there was a great community spirit. I was born in 1947 and my sister Pauline in 1950. We had an idyllic childhood; the park had a Lido, there was a rose garden with a lake, a large swing park and an outdoor concert stage plus acres of grass land.

Sadly our Dad passed away in 1971 but our Mum continued to live there until they were demolished around 1974/5.

We were the envy of many friends and family mainly for our refrigerator that Mum made lollies in, and our fully fitted kitchen and bathroom. Such Happy times.

Additional information

Henwood Road/Rebecca Place have disappeared, now Gemma Terrace. This was the last V2 to strike Bermondsey and exploded behind Gomm Road by the nurses home of St Olaves Hospital. It was the 5th of 5 V weapons to strike this small area of Rotherhithe. It badly damaged this building as well as 2 greenhouses and a conservatory. All of the Gomm Road houses were rendered uninhabitable. Property was also damaged in Stalham Street and Hickling Streets. http://www.flyingbombsandrockets.com/V1_summary_se16.html