Comments on: Remembering Robert Poole

By: Lauren Poole

Lauren Poole — Sun, 29 Sep 2024 16:05:26 +0000

Hi My name is Lauren poole.
I believed Robert poole was My Grandfather.
Reading his book E1 has answered a few questions. Could someone please give me any details or information that they know. I found Penny Goring Artist & Poet very interesting also.
I’d be very grateful if someone could get back to me. Or if John Charlton.
Thankyou! X

By: Debbie Towns

Debbie Towns — Wed, 22 Sep 2021 22:03:03 +0000

My nan Jane was Robert Poole’s sister.
She treasured her copy of his book and had it wrapped in multiple layers of paper to keep it safe.
After a lot of searching I too was able to buy a copy of the original book which I too treasure and keep wrapped up for safekeeping.
My own children know all about Robert Poole and are very interested in his life.

By: Dudley Diaper

Dudley Diaper — Tue, 03 Aug 2021 11:58:36 +0000

I recently noticed that London E1 had been reissued and ordered a copy. I already have one of the 1961 editon. This was recommended to me by my late uncle Charles Saunders, my late mother’s brother. He must have read a review of the book at the time because he made sure to get hold of a copy. The reason for his interest was that Charles grew up in Albert Buildings, Deal Street, in the 1930s with my mum and their three brothers and two sisters. He remembered Bobby Poole and also recognised incidents in the narrative, such as the death of a little girl trampled by a horse. I think he also recognised our Saunders family in the novel under another name, but that may have been wishful thinking. Our connection to the area began in the 1850s when my great great grandfather George Matthew Seaman Saunders moved from Norfolk to open a greengrocers in Buxton Street. Today I checked your archive for mention of the author and the book and was delighted to read more about both.

By: Joy Purnell

Joy Purnell — Fri, 19 Jan 2018 00:29:27 +0000

My Grandfather George (Pop) was Roberts (Bob) brother. I believe I only met Bob a couple of times, but one time in particular was a very special memory and I’ve never forgotten him. Pop talked about him a lot. I have a copy of his book that I bought in the late 1960 s. I am so proud of him and what he achieved in his short life. He is an inspiration to me. The strange thing is I am in the throes of writing my own book, and have just written the chapter with my encounter with Robert in it. I just started to re read his book yesterday, and today thought I’d just see if there was anything about him on the internet and found this. It’s great to see the old photographs , I’ve only ever seen one of my Greatgrandfather George so what a delight to see another. Only last year I met again some of my old extended East End family at my Aunt Joy and Uncle Bobs wedding anniversary. So , Robert Poole’s legacy lives on. And I’ve just bought the new reprinted version of his book. Joy, Rene’s daughter. Love to all my extended family

By: stephen jarvis

stephen jarvis — Mon, 23 Feb 2015 23:32:25 +0000

Re Queens Head Beano photo my grandfather william bellamy used to be the landlord at the pub and is in the photograph standing far right in front of the door and my father is in the doorway and I am the little boy in the white shirt being held by the soldier. Even though I was young I still remember that day. I believe the boy with his hands in his pockets in the second photograph is a lad I used to play with in the flats behind the pub when I visited my grandparents. I remember going to a small corner shop nearby to get a 1d drink.

By: m.hardie

m.hardie — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 18:00:31 +0000

I’m in the coronation picture with John Charlton.
He used to sell dodgy shirts(only joking) in Bethnal Green Road and then Whitechapel Road.
I remember his mum in the Queens Head and my Mum used to go in there too.

By: Joan Herbert (nee Poole)

Joan Herbert (nee Poole) — Sun, 23 Mar 2014 14:29:09 +0000

My father, Richard (Dick) was Robert (Bob’s) brother. We too have a copy of the book with a dedication within from Bob – to my Mum & Dad! All of his siblings (I believe) had a copy from the first edition and to many of the family it is still on show on our bookcases – a real treasure and family heirloom that provokes many memories for us all of times gone by.

It’s lovely to see that it has been re-published 50 years later – it only seems like yesterday!

My daughter and her book group are now in the process of reading this as the Rachel Lichtenstein article has provoked interest from them all!

Bob would have been very pleased and proud to know that 50 years later folks are still reading and enjoying it!

By: lynnette rowley

lynnette rowley — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 17:19:01 +0000

Emmy Poole was my Grandmother and John Charlton is my dad. Emmy always told me stories about her brother and life growing up in the East End. I lived at 14 Deal St until the age of 7 and have lots of fond memories of the area. Nan Em always had the original London E1 book in her bureau and as i child i was not allowed to touch or read it just incase it got damaged !

By: Jean Ireton

Jean Ireton — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 15:08:17 +0000

My Mum is Jane, Roberts Sister. My Mum was extremely proud of what Robert had achieved. She treasured the book that he had written, and when she sadly passed away Roberts signed book was passed on to his Grandson who also treasures this and keeps it in his Safe!

By: H from Canada

H from Canada — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 07:53:51 +0000

Life was tough (and can still be tough) – it is wonderfully inspirational to read on how people make the best of it and succeed.