Harold Thompson

We have been very lucky to have been able to display some amazing photographs taken by the late Harold Burleigh Thompson. Mr Thompson was a keen photographer and he had quite a varied collection. His album of photographs have stayed in the family, his wife passed them on to their grandson, Marcus, who has kindly scanned them and sent them to us to display on the website.

Harold Thompson was born in 1897. To his friends he was known as ‘Charlie’. After leaving school at the age of fourteen he joined Boots as an errand boy. According to his marriage certificate of 10th September 1928, he was still at Boots as a warehouseman. Before getting married, Mr Thompson resided at 178 Lincoln Road, Walton (numbers have changed since then). After getting married, Mr. Thompson and his new wife moved to 190 Lincoln Road, Walton (which is now numbered 1041).

At various times Mr. Thompson was a member of the Peterborough Cycle Club. The club used to meet quite often and cycle long distances. The Thompson family think Harold could have also been a marshall at some of the events. Mr. Thompson would also attend races to spectate and cheer participants on.

Mr. Thompson was married at Paston Church and after passing away, he was buried in the church cemetary.

Kodak No. 2-A Folding Autographic Brownie

The photograph above shows the very camera Mr Thompson used to take his photographs, a Kodak No. 2-A Folding Autographic Brownie, which cost $13.00 when originally purchased. This model was produced from 1915 to 1926. In 1917 the ends were changed from a squared end to a rounded end, so this is a post 1917 model.

Mr. Thompson posing beside the Norman Cross memorial July, 1925.

Mr Thompson's home, 190 Lincoln Road (now 1041 Lincoln Road).

The interior of 190 Lincoln Road, Walton dated 1936/1937

Paston Church during the 1920s. Mr. Thompson was married here in 1928.

Harold 'Charlie' Thompson photographed outside the Gordon Arms during the 1920s.

Group photograph of the Peterborough Cycle Club taken sometime in the 1920s.

Same location taken on the same day. Exact location unknown but thought to be somewhere in the Waltham on The Wold in Leicestershire.

Taking a break from cycling at an unkown pub in the same area.

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