LONDON STREET NAMES

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 September 1938, Page 14

LONDON STREET NAMES

SOLDIER’S BIBLE INCIDENT. A soldier who was reprimanded because he offered to lend his Bible to other soldiers is among those whose memory is perpetuated by new street names in London. To find acceptable names for the 1,867 streets that have so far been [dealt with by the London County I Council in its campaign to reduce duplication, experts have delved deep into historical associations and local lore. , , The procedure is that the , Street Register Department of the L.C.C. makes recommendations to a, subcommittee of the Town Planning Committee. In making its suggestions the Department sometimes calls in the help of two assistant historical research officers permanently employed by the L.C.C. The sub-committee then gives notice of the proposed change, and invites alternative suggestions . from Borough Councils and local residents. Residents are often very attached to the name of their road or street. Some pleasant-sounding names, such as Marlborough, Devonshire, or Cumberland, are popular, and'are frequently relinquished unwillingly. Among the 400 new names introduced last July are many which have interesting historical or romantic associations.

The soldier whose name has been given to Rudd Street, Woolwich, was a member of the Woolwich Garrison in 1816. He was reprimanded by the Commandant for hanging a card behind the guard room door offering the loan of a Bible to any soldier who wanted it. The matter was taken up by an officer, who was also reprimanded. In 1825, as a result of Rudd’s action/

a King’s Regulation was issued proI viding a Bible and a Prayer Book for every soldier at the public expense. Other more famous people are similarly commemorated. The former Bedford Street, Stepney, has been renamed Cavell Street, after Nurse Cavell, who served for a time at the London Hospital. The name of Cardinal John Fisher, Bishop of Rochester, who was beheaded in 1535 for refusing to acknowledge i King Henry VIII. as head of the Church, has been given to the former Glasshouse Street, Stepney, on the suggestion of the Stepney Borough Council.