Comments on: Memoirs Of William Henry Knapp

By: Jackie Orton

Jackie Orton — Sat, 30 Apr 2016 08:22:55 +0000

WOW I just love to read about old London for someone’s eyes, don’t think I would of liked to of been around in that era though, My Mum used to have to give her wages to her Dad who sometime would give her a little bit back, I remember all my Mums stories in the 40s/ 50s living in Belfast Northern Ireland, I never got to meet my Grandfather but my Nan was a great person and I loved to hear her stories as well.
Jackie Orton

By: Lucien

Lucien — Sun, 17 Apr 2016 18:29:19 +0000

What a beautifully written piece of social history; conjuring up so many tangible thoughts and images of City Life for a young man shaping his career at that time. Would love read more of life as seen through this eloquent gentleman’s eyes.

By: carolyn

carolyn — Wed, 13 Apr 2016 00:15:31 +0000

This William Knapp could so easily have been “a gentle author” when we see how magnificently he tells a story. Enormous thanks to Jeanette Crawley for sharing this piece. My grandad was an errand boy in London in 1880 so now I see something of his long hard days. “These reminiscences are as good as a tonic to me.”…. oh, I love that line. Hunting down family history does exactly the same for me.
Huge thanks….

By: Ros

Ros — Tue, 12 Apr 2016 23:14:08 +0000

Thank you for publishing this – the words period piece are apt in every way. It gives us so many insights into customs and mindset of its day.

By: pauline taylor

pauline taylor — Tue, 12 Apr 2016 17:53:44 +0000

Very interesting, thank you. The offices of the Pall Mall Gazette were threatened by the Fenians, and were guarded by 14 police officers plus two more on the roof. George Smith, the proprietor, carried a revolver, but he did not tell his family about it, although after his daughter gave him a hug and detected it, he had to let her into the secret. He also wore a life preserver which could be inflated by a string. My relative, Frederick Greenwood, the editor, was escorted by the police to and from his cab every time he left or arrived at the building, so these threats were taken very seriously. I think that the offices of the Times received similar threats.

By: Jeanette Crawley

Jeanette Crawley — Tue, 12 Apr 2016 15:36:40 +0000

What a shame that at the age of 63 when my Great Grandad wrote this his memory failed him slightly regarding Joseph Brady. If only he had the internet to check his facts. However, typing up from such eloquent hand writing it may have been my mistake and I will check it. I do hope that didn’t spoil the enjoyment of his memories.

By: Phil Maxwell

Phil Maxwell — Tue, 12 Apr 2016 13:21:59 +0000

What a wonderful account of his work and experience. Fantastic!

By: Pritam Singh

Pritam Singh — Tue, 12 Apr 2016 12:22:51 +0000

What a treasure of a story. I thoroughly enjoyed that. Thank you.

By: Joan Barleycorn

Joan Barleycorn — Tue, 12 Apr 2016 12:06:20 +0000

Fabulous descriptions, especially of catering. I could imagine no less than Mr Charles Dicken himself in attendance at such feasts I had to smile at Mr Knapp’s attitude to such outrageous developments as school holidays. I imagine he would frown at attempts to reduce the working week. 🙂

By: Shawdian

Shawdian — Tue, 12 Apr 2016 12:03:05 +0000

When London was a real place to live & love. Now it is a Show Piece & Office Block.