[HPforGrownups] Re: Vauxhall Road and the Elixir of Life ( was The Diary (just where did V get

[Shaun Hately]

No: HPFGUIDX 86846

On 9 Dec 2003 at 7:50, Geoff Bannister wrote:

> Shaun:
> > Kennington Lane in Kennington (which is part of London) was known 
> for a long 
> > time as Vauxhall Road. I'm not sure when the change occurred - I do 
> know it was 
> > still Vauxhall Road as late as 1942.
> > 
> 
> Geoff:
> That's interesting if it's correct. It didn't apparently show up on 
> the search Linocow mentioned in message 86721.
> 
> I say "if it's correct" because I have just consulted a 1934 London 
> bus map in my archive and the road is shown as Upper Kennington Lane, 
> part of the present day Kennington Lane which runs from Vauxhall 
> Cross (the south side of Vauxhall Bridge) through to the Elephant and 
> Castle. 

Yep - which I've also found in older maps as well. It's not until I go back to 1859 
that I can find a map that named Vauxhall Road - and it gives it as an alternative 
name for Kennington Road, rather than Kennington Lane.

I *believe* the Vauxhall Baptist Chapel (scene of the Dobkin murder) was located 
on or near the corner of what is now Kennington Lane and Cottington Street. I 
believe this area was redeveloped in 1948 and I surmise that the ruined chapel 
was demolished at that point.

This is the area therefore that would seem to have possibly been also known as 
Vauxhall Road in 1942 - Kennington Lane.

As I've said previously, I think the best approach now would be for somebody to 
look at the Dobkin murder, ideally in contemporary London newspapers - and see 
if it gives any Vauxhall Road address. That'd be pretty clear evidence that the 
road was still known as Vauxhall Road at the time.

Here in Melbourne, I'm somewhat limited in my ability to check this out - but it's 
possible I might be able to get into the State Library tomorrow and check their 
microfilmed newspapers.

All I can say for the moment, is this looks plausible as a real London Vauxhall 
Road, at a time Tom Riddle could have bought a diary.


Yours Without Wax, Dreadnought
Shaun Hately | www.alphalink.com.au/~drednort/thelab.html
(ISTJ)       | drednort at alphalink.com.au | ICQ: 6898200 
"You know the very powerful and the very stupid have one
thing in common. They don't alter their views to fit the 
facts. They alter the facts to fit the views. Which can be 
uncomfortable if you happen to be one of the facts that 
need altering." The Doctor - Doctor Who: The Face of Evil
Where am I: Frankston, Victoria, Australia