Deputy Mayor rubs shoulders with centenarian
by Hammersmith and Fulham Press Office
16/10/2008
105 year-old Fulhamite Rose Bicknall went back to her roots recently when she visited the Town Hall and rubbed shoulders with the Deputy Mayor.
The visit came about thanks to Jean Knapp, a former social worker who is now writing Rose’s memoirs. Jean contacted the Deputy Mayor, Cllr Alex Karmel, who was more than happy to spend some time with the centenarian.
Rose was born in Chelsea in 1903 and moved to Fulham when she was seven years-old. She attended a school on Dymock Street before starting work at the Drayton paperworks factory, where she made envelopes.
She soon met here husband to be, Fred John Bicknall, who proposed to her in Bishops Park.
Rose lived in Fulham during World War One and has some incredibly vivid memories from that time.
She said: “It was a very scary time and I remember the Zeppelin raids well. You could always hear them flying overhead and I remember police officers on bikes with ‘take cover’ signs on them. There were no bomb shelters then so we had to hide under the tables.”
Rose has an 82 year-old daughter, a 92 year-old son-in-law and a grandaughter of 60. She now lives in Hounslow and spends her time doing needlework and playing cards.
Rose added: “Today has been a big surprise for me and I only thought that we were going out for lunch. It is wonderful to return home to the borough. There has been a lot of changes since I was young and the area looks a lot cleaner.”
Deputy Mayor, Cllr Alex Karmel, said: “It really was my pleasure to meet Rose. She is a phenomenal lady and I found her company most charming.
“She has lived through so much and has some wonderful memories of the Fulham of yester-year. I hope that Rose enjoyed her visit as much as I did.”
Rose also visited the council's archives department to look at old photos of where she used to live and work. She ended her day with a trip to Bishops Park, Lillie Road and North End Road.
