A close-knit family in a strong community

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Continued from http://regvarney100.blogspot.co.uk/2017/12/an-east-end-childhood.html









Sid, Reg’s father, was a semi-skilled worker in the India Rubber factory at Silvertown in London’s Docklands, pictured in this 1887 print. 





























































He was also employed in the manufacture of alizarin dye at the nearby Beckton Gas Works, pictured above in its last days before final demolition.  


































With his father

He had ‘an infectious smile and laughing eyes,’ remembers Reg in his autobiography.

































Reg’s former home at Number 7 Addington Road as seen today 

But ‘he brought us up in a strict Victorian manner — he made the rules and although he loved us dearly, woe betide us if we strayed from them.’


























A street party in 1918 Canning Town

Sid, did not return home from active service in Egypt until two years after his son’s birth. Street parties were held in communities all over Britain to celebrating the end of the Great War.





















Addington Road was no exception. Reg’s mother, Annie, one of the street party  organisers, is standing to the far left in the photo.






























A family group


Here you can see Reg and (l-r) his siblings Doris, Sid, Bella, with Reg seated, all in their Sunday best.









Reg's parents, Sid and Annie, in later life 
You can read more about Reg Varney’s amazing life in the book Our Little Clown by Michael Downes, obtainable at Fairlynch Museum. See http://fairlynchmuseum.uk/publications.html

 Continued at http://regvarney100.blogspot.co.uk/2017/12/school-days.html


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