First World War: 1914 -1918

First World War, 1914-1918

Ilford Lane, like the rest of Ilford, was affected by the First World War.

Cleveland Road and Loxford schools were damaged in an air raid during December 1917. By April 1918, Uphall School was being used as air raid shelter and there was another shelter on the corner of Ilford Lane and Khartoum Road.

As food became scarce, Uphall School pupils kept an allotment, as did the Howards factory. A food kitchen was opened at 110 Ilford Lane in February 1918 to provide subsided meals for local factory workers and families. Howards, and Ilford Limited produced materials used in the war effort and as their male employees went to fight, women filled their places. To provide childcare which would enable them to go out to work, Ilford War Day Nursery opened 20 January 1917 at 140 Ilford Lane, before moving to empty shop at 6 Ilford Broadway.

The true cost of the war must be measured in the lives lost. The memorials at Cleveland Road School and Ilford Lane Methodist Church are just two examples of how Ilford Lane’s surrounding streets lost many men killed in the fighting.

Cleveland Road School First World War Memorial Plaque Redbridge Museum

Ilford Lane Methodist Church First World War Memorial Redbridge Museum

Redbridge Museum made this website about the local impacts of the First World War: www.redbridgefirstworldwar.org.uk