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Dr Ainsworth, a mycologist in the Department of Botany in the University of Exeter, was Secretary of the Medical Mycology committee of the Medical Research Council and a member of the Industrial Epidermophytosis Committee. The papers of the MRC Medical Mycology Committee including in this collection cover the period 1953-64 (the Committee was disbanded in 1969).

Born [1910]; acquired Civil Pilot's Licence, 1933; commissioned into the RAF, 1935; converted to RAF Service Flying at 4 Flying Training School, Abu Sueir, Egypt, [1935]; posted to 6 Sqn RAF at Ismailia, Egypt, and was engaged in operations in Palestine, where he was awarded the DFC for gallantry in the air, 1936-1938; appointed RAF Flying Instructor at RAF College Cranwell and then Chief Flying Instructor at 21 RAF Flying School at Kumalo, Rhodesia, [1939-1941]; commanded 27 RAF Elementary Flying School at Induna, Rhodesia, [1941]; commanded RAF Station, Cardington, taught at RAF Staff College, Hampshire, and was posted to Organisation Planning at the Air Ministry, [1942-1946]; commanded 1 Group, Royal Pakistan Air Force, and was responsible for supply dropping operations in Kashmir, [1947-1948]; assumed position of Chief of Staff, Royal Pakistan Air Force, during the absence of Commander in Chief AVM Richard Llewellyn Roger Atcherley in Australia, 1949; Director of Air Training, Air Ministry, [1951]; awarded CBE, 1951; died Mar 1979.

Air Ministry

In Apr 1941 the Department of the Air Member for Training, Air Ministry, began publication of training memoranda in the form of a monthly magazine entitled Tee Emm. The publication was produced throughout World War Two until its final issue in Mar 1946

Aircraft Insurance Committee

The Accident Offices Association provided executive and secretarial services for a number of other associations of insurance companies. It managed the Aircraft Insurance Committee, which was established 1919 and apparently wound up in 1935.

Airwork Limited, also known as Airwork Services Limited, is a wholly owned subsidiary company of VT Group plc. It has a long and rich history in providing a variety of defence support services to the Royal Air Force (RAF), Fleet Air Arm and overseas air forces as well as having played an important role in the development of civil aviation - both in the United Kingdom and abroad.

Airwork was founded in 1928 by Sir Nigel Norman and Alan Muntz with the opening of the private Heston Aerodrome, then in Middlesex, registering at Companies House in December 1936.

Airwork moved out of Heston in 1935 due to a lack of adequate space and relocated to Gatwick where it continued with a contract to maintain Whitley bombers for the RAF.

Sir George Biddell Airy was educated at Cambridge and became Plumain Professor of Astronomy and Director of the Cambridge Observatory in 1828. In 1835 he accepted the post of Astronomer based at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, which he held until 1881. In 1835 Airy was invited to become a member of the University of London Senate. Although he was unable to attend Senate meetings on a regular basis, he discussed the pressing issues of the University at the time with other Senate members, in particular Sir John William Lubbock, 3rd Bt. Airy also served on the University's Sub Committee on Mathematics and Natural Philosophy and the Committee on Certificates of Proficiency. He resigned from the Senate in August 1847.

Editor of The Children's Friend.

Publications: Baden Powell, the hero of Mafeking (S W Partridge & Co, London, 1900); Frederick Temple, Archbishop of Canterbury (S W Partridge & Co, London, 1901); Lord Kitchener of Khartoum and of Aspall (H J Drane, London, 1901); The Marquess of Salisbury, K.G.; his inherited characteristics, political principles, and personality (S W Partridge & Co, London, 1901); Victoria, the well-beloved (S W Partridge & Co, London, 1901); Canon Barnett, Warden of Toynbee Hall: his mission and its relation to social movement (S. W. Partridge & Co, London, 1902); The Boy's Life of Greatheart Lincoln, the Martyr President (S. W. Partridge & Co, London, [1910]); Follow my Leader! (S W Partridge & Co, London, [1910]); The Chief Scout, Sir Robert Baden-Powell (S W Partridge & Co, London, [1912]); Come out to Play (S W Partridge & Co, London, [1913]); Happy all Day! (Pictures & stories for the little ones) (S W Partridge & Co, London, [1911]); Happy Days (S W Partridge & Co, London, [1913]); King of the Castle! (S W Partridge & Co, London, [1913]); Queen of the Daisies! (S W Partridge & Co, London, [1913]).

The Bishop of London was held to exercise responsibility for Anglican churches overseas where no other bishop had been appointed. He retained responsibility for churches in northern and central Europe until 1980, but his jurisdiction in southern Europe ceased in 1842 on the creation of the diocese of Gibraltar. In 1980, the Bishop of London divested himself of all overseas jurisdiction and a new diocese of 'Gibraltar in Europe' was established.

Saint Swithun's church in Aix-les-Bains was constructed in 1869 to serve the British colony attracted by the spa waters in the French town.

Aretas Akers was born on the island of St Kitts in 1734, the eldest son of Edmund Akers, a man of English descent, who owned land on St Vincent. Akers acquired his own estates on St Kitts, and much later, inherited his father's estates on St Vincent. Akers added to his position of strength and influence in the islands through his marriage to Jean Douglas, the niece of the Governor of the Leeward Islands. He maintained his connections with Great Britain - having his children educated in Scotland and England. Jean Douglas died in 1768, soon after the birth of her seventh child - Akers did not remarry.

As a substantial landowner on St Kitts and St Vincent, Akers played an important role in finance, business, trade and politics of the islands. The influence of his position is demonstrated by the fact that he was appointed Receiver of the Casual Revenue or Droits of Admiralty for the Leeward Carribee Islands by the British government at the outset of the American War of Independence. This meant that he was responsible for the sale of ships and cargo captured during the war and distributed prize money to ships' crews. He was also appointed by Lord Rodney as one of the joint agents responsible for the distribution of prize money after the British conquered the island of St Eustatius in 1779.

Akers was also active in political life on St Kitts. He served as a represntative on the legislative assembly, but resigned from this position in 1769 as a result of a dispute ostensibly over the Governor's attempt to prevent assembly members who also acted for the British Government from voting for new representatives. As a result of this, Akers and his 6 fellow protestors were jailed for more than a month. After his release Akers may have travelled to London to bring the matter before the House of Commons, although it is unclear what the result of this was. In time all seven members of the assembly were re-elected to it. Akers also appears to visited England in 1774 in order to protest against the war with America because of the effect that it would have trade in the West Indies.

Aretas Akers and his family left St Kitts in 1782 when the island was captured by the French. The family settled in England, but Akers travelled to Paris in order to petition the French government concerning a problem with the Stubbs estate on St Vincent. He spent the remaining three years of his life working to bring some order to his financial and business affairs which had been thrown into chaos as a result of British losses in the West Indies. He was in dispute with the British government concerning the sale of ships and cargo in Tortola, where as a result of the lack of availability of currency he had accepted bonds from purchasers rather than cash. The government regarded Akers as been responsible for the subsequent debts. The Government also had a large claim against him for Droits of Admiralty for Greenwich Naval Hospital, which received unclaimed and forfeited shares of prize money. His financial position had been further weakened by the effect that the War and poor weather conditions had had on the management of his estates and trade.

Akers died in 1785, and in his will vested his estate in Alexander Douglas, his two sons, Edmund Fleming Akers and Aretas Akers, and William Forbes in trust for his heirs. Edmund and Aretas Akers then began the long process of ordering their father's tangled affairs so that the terms of the will could be executed. This process continued for more than twenty years, Edmund Akers managing affairs in the West Indies, and Aretas Akers II working from London.

Chaloner Alabaster was born in 1838 at Barcombe in Bournemouth, and educated at King's College, London. In 1855 he was appointed student interpreter in China and served through the Opium wars and the Taiping Rebellion. He was Vice-Consul at Shanghai (1869-1873), and went on to become Consul General at Hankow (Wuhan) (1880-1886) and Canton (1886-1891). In 1892, the year of his retirement, he was knighted. He died in 1898. Sir Chaloner Alabaster was married in 1875, to Laura, daughter of Dr. D. J. MacGowan of New York.

His elder brother was a member of the China Consular Service from 1856 and his son became Attorney General in Hong Kong.

The history of the Albany Trust is inextricably linked with that of the Homosexual Law Reform Society or HLRS. The HLRS was founded in June 1958 following the recommendation of the Wolfenden Report that homosexual behaviour between consenting adults in private should no longer be a criminal offence. Its first Chairman was Kenneth Walker (succeeded by Cecil Hewitt Rolph in 1964), and its first Secretary the Revd Andrew Hallidie Smith. The work of the HLRS was undertaken by a small working group liasing with an honorary committee. The first public meeting was held on 12 May 1960 at Caxton Hall, and culminated with a vote in favour of reform, resulting in a letter to the Home Office. This was closely followed by a parliamentary debate in June 1960. The Society was reconstituted in 1970 as the Sexual Law Reform Society in order to campaign for further legal changes, particularly relating to the age of consent.
The Albany Trust was founded as a registered charity in May 1958 as a complimentary organisation to the HLRS with a remit 'to promote psychological health in men by collecting data and conducting research: to publish the results thereof by writing, films, lectures and other media: to take suitable steps based thereon for the public benefit to improve the social and general conditions necessary for such healthy psychological development'. The founding Trustees were Anthony Edward Dyson, Jacquetta Hawkes, Kenneth Walker, Andrew Hallidie Smith, and Ambrose Appelbe. The Albany Trust developed into a pioneering counselling and investigating organisation for gay men, lesbians and sexual minorities. It published a journal Man and Society from 1961-1973, and a newsletter entitled Spectrum from 1963-1970, as well as a series of pamphlets. It also provided speakers for numerous organisations and established a network of counsellors. Antony Grey became the Acting Secretary of both HLRS and the Albany Trust in 1962. The funds raised and donated for the work of the Albany Trust allowed it to finance office space and staff. These same facilities were then available for the campaigning work of the Homosexual Law Reform Society (HLRS). Following the Sexual Offences Act of 1967, which decriminalised adult homosexual relationships, the Albany Trust became primarily an educational and counselling organisation. Due to an increasing volume of casework, a social caseworker was appointed in 1967, and the Trust was increasingly involved in the training of youth workers and the development of sex education. From 1976 to 1979 a full-time youth officer was employed. A field officer appointed from 1975 to 1980 investigated the Trust's links with social workers and counsellors throughout the country. The Albany Trust remains active today.
The Albany Society Ltd was founded in 1968 as a charitable limited company to deal with the commercial side of the Trust's operations. In 1988 it simplified its name to the Albany Society.

Probate (also called proving a will) is the process of establishing the validity of a will, which was recorded in the grant of probate.

From the British Records Association "Guidelines 3 - Interpreting Deeds: How To Interpret Deeds - A Simple Guide And Glossary".

The Albert Dock Seamen's Hospital was established in 1890 as a branch of the Dreadnought Seamen's Hospital, Greenwich, which was founded in 1821. The London School of Tropical Medicine was established in the Albert Dock Hospital in October 1899, by Philip Manson-Bahr, and remained there until moving to Euston in February 1920. The Hospital became part of Newham Health District under the City and East London Area Health Authority (Teaching) in 1974 and was converted from acute to orthopaedic use. It came under the direct control of Newham Health Authority in 1981 and subsequently became a homeward bound mental handicap unit.

In 1885 the Albert Palace from the Dublin Exhibition of 1872 was erected in Battersea Park for public entertainments. The building was demolished in 1894.

Bernhard Siegfried Albinus (originally Weiss) was born, 1697 at Frankfurt (Oder); stuided medicine at Leiden University, 1702-; Lecturer at Leiden University on anatomy and surgery, 1719-1721; Professor of Anatomy and Surgery, Leiden University, 1721-1745; Professor of the Practice of Medicine, 1745-; died, 1770.

George Paterson [1734-1817] matriculated at Leyden University on March 4th, 1763.

Bernhard Siegfried Albinus was born in 1697. He was the son of Bernhard Albinus (1653-1721), Professor of Medicine at the University of Leiden. He was educated in Leiden and briefly in Paris and became Professor of Anatomy and Surgery in Leiden in 1721. He published an edition of the complete works of Vesalius in 1725, and the artist Jan Wandelaar (1690-1759), engraved the plates. Albinus and Wandelaar worked together for over 30 years, and their best-known work was the Tabulae sceleti et musculorum corporis humani, published in 1747. Albinus remained at the University of Leiden until his death in 1770.

Albion Fire Insurance Association Limited (known until 1893 as Fire Insurance Association Limited) was established in 1880. It was based at 66-7 Cornhill, 1880-89 and 90 Cannon Street, 1890-4.

The Albion Iron and Wire Works Company was founded on 21 January 1885 in Ironmonger Row, Clerkenwell, and later moved to Britton Street. In 1970 the firm took over Myerson Kilby Limited, sheet metal workers (est.1820) and J.W. Shale Limited, constructional engineers (est.1880s). Subsidiary companies in 1982 included Sebry Staircase and Ironworks Limited, fire escape staircase manufacturers (incorporated 1930), Lift Cars and Components Company Limited (incorporated 1957) and Albion (Norfolk) Limited (incorporated 1970). Items manufactured included wire work, staircase lifts, machine guards, and metal sheeting and ducting. In 1985 the London company went into liquidation, although work continued at Albion (Norfolk) Limited.

Born 1903; educated at Tonbridge School and City and Guilds College (Imperial College of Science and Technology); Works Manager, Aladdin Industries, Greenford, 1930-1946; Deputy President, Governmental Sub-Commission, Control Commission Germany, 1946-1947; Deputy Director, British Institute of Management, 1948; Labour MP for Edmonton, 1948-1974; Minister of State, Department of Economic Affairs, 1965-1967; Fellow of City and Guilds College and Imperial College; Chartered Engineer: died 1994.

Albyn Line Ltd

The Albyn Line was founded as a private company in Sunderland in 1901 with Sir William Allan (1837-1903) as its chairman. After his death, Sir James (later Lord) Joicey (1846-1936) succeeded him. From then until the dissolution of the company in 1966 the office of chairman was filled by members of the Joicey family. Following a management contract in 1901 between the new company and the already existing firm of Allan Black and Company, the latter's managing director and managers took over these posts in the new company as well. The pattern of Albyn Line trade was South Welsh or Tyne coal outwards to the Continent or Port Said, and after discharge in ballast through the Dardanelles to Odessa to load grain for London or the Continent. Other areas served occasionally were the River Plate and the Gulf of Mexico. At the outbreak of the First World War the company owned four vessels. Apart from one which was detained by the Turks for the duration of the war, all the others were lost in 1917. Until 1924 the Albyn Line operated with only one ship and the voyages tended to be of longer duration. During this period its income was supplemented by the profits of its shipping agency business. Two ships were built in 1924 and 1925, and in 1928 and 1929 four more new ships were immediately laid up because of the depression. As in 1914, the Albyn Line entered the Second World War with four ships, only one of which survived. In the 1950s three motor ships were built and they were chartered to liner or tramp companies. From 1961 trading conditions became less and less profitable and in 1966 the firm went into voluntary liquidation.

William Turner Alchin was born in 1790 in Billingsgate. He practised as a solicitor while also pursuing antiquarian interests. In 1845 he was appointed librarian at Guildhall Library, a post he held until his death in 1865.

Alfred William Alcock was born in Bombay on June 23 1859, the son of Captain John Alcock. Alcock's school years at Westminster were cut short by his father's financial difficulties, he was sent to India at the age of 17, to relatives in the coffee trade. For five years he tried out a number of jobs including schooolmastering; during this time he became interested in science, helped by Michael Foster's physiology textbook. In 1881 a brother-in-law, an officer in the Indian Civil Service, offered to help him to a medical education, which he completed at Aberdeen in three and a half years graduating MB, CM in 1885. Adding a course in tropical medicine at Netley to his qualifications, Alcock then spent another 20 years in India, in the Indian Marine Survey, as Surgeon-Naturalist, with the Indian Museum in Calcutta, and keeping in touch with medicine at the Medical College Hospital.

On his return to London, Patrick Manson recruited him, in 1906, to head a new medical entomology department, to join Leiper's helminthology and Wenyon's protozoology at the School of Tropical Medicine at the Albert Dock. He was the author of the first comprehensive textbook of Entomology for Medical Officers in 1911; in 1921 he became the first Professor of Medical Zoology in the University of London. His influence on the development of the London School was much greater than that of a mere teacher of medical entomology. He became an active architect; he embellished the school museum; he collected and arranged a large collection of insects of medical importance. He was largely concerned with the foundation of the Tropical Diseases Library based to a great extent on the books which Manson had collected. He was a frequent contributor to the short-lived Journal of the London School of Tropical Medicine which flourished for a time under his guidance but which was discontinued in 1913. Alcock died in 1933.

Publications include Report on the natural history results of the Pamir boundary commission (Calcutta, 1898) and Entomology for medical officers (London, 1911).

Neil Alcock was born in 1919 at Underberg, Natal. After war service, he became a farmer in Natal. In 1962, he founded Kupugani, a national welfare organisation whose object was to increase the amount of South African food available to the country's African population. From 1967 until his death he devoted his life to helping Africans with rural agricultural schemes, developing agricultural training and encouraging African ownership, home industry and literacy. In 1967 he established a Church Agricultural Project among Zulu farm people at the Maria Ratschitz Mission farm in northern Natal. In 1975 he moved to another farm, Mdukutshani, in the Msinga district near Weenen in the Kwa Zulu `bantustan'. Work at the farm, which included innovations to combat drought and pests, was described in regular newsletters from Alcock and his wife, Creina (Bond), a well-known writer on South African wild life and conservation. Alcock also acted as a representative of Africans in their dealings with white farmers and as a peace maker in local feuds. He died in an ambush on 28 September 1983 when returning with elders from a meeting he had organised to end fighting between factions.

The City of London was divided into wards for the purpose of government as early as Norman times. The wards had responsibility to keep the peace, supervise trade and oversee sanitation, and each ward has the right to elect an Alderman and Commoners to sit in the Court of Common Council of the Corporation of London.

One of the twenty-six wards of the City of London, bounded on the east by Cripplegate Ward, on the south by Farringdon Ward Within, on the west by Farringdon Ward Without, and extending north to the former borough of Finsbury. It was divided into an Inner and Outer Ward, the southern portion within the City walls called Aldersgate Ward Within, and the northern portion outside the walls, Aldersgate Ward Without. There is only one ward alderman. It contained five City parish churches: St Anne and St Agnes, St Leonard Foster Lane, St Mary Staining, St John Zachary and St Botolph without Aldersgate.

Aldersgate Ward Club

Aldersgate Ward Club was founded in 1860 as the Aldersgate Ward Past Officers' Club, and was revived in 1909 as Aldersgate Ward Club. In 1972 it instigated an Annual Luncheon for the Lord Mayor. Lady members were first accepted in 1975.

The City of London was divided into wards for the purpose of government as early as Norman times. The wards had responsibility to keep the peace, supervise trade and oversee sanitation, and each ward has the right to elect an Alderman and Commoners to sit in the Court of Common Council. The Aldersgate ward is bounded by Aldersgate Street, Beech Street, Noble Street, Angel Street, King Edward Street and Montague Street, and includes the Barbican Estate.

Aldersgate Ward Past Officers' Club was founded in 1860. It lapsed but was was revived in 1909 as Aldersgate Ward Club. In 1972 it instigated an Annual Luncheon for the Lord Mayor. Lady members were first accepted in 1975.

The City of London was divided into wards for the purpose of government as early as Norman times. The wards had responsibility to keep the peace, supervise trade and oversee sanitation, and each ward has the right to elect an Alderman and Commoners to sit in the Court of Common Council. The Aldersgate ward is bounded by Aldersgate Street, Beech Street, Noble Street, Angel Street, King Edward Street and Montague Street, and includes the Barbican Estate.

Aldersgate Ward School

The City of London was divided into wards for the purpose of government as early as Norman times. The wards had responsibility to keep the peace, supervise trade and oversee sanitation, and each ward has the right to elect an Alderman and Commoners to sit in the Court of Common Council, Corporation of London. Aldersgate Ward was bounded on the east by Cripplegate Ward, on the south by Farringdon Ward Within, on the west by Farringdon Ward Without, and extending north to the former borough of Finsbury. It was divided into an Inner and Outer Ward, the southern portion within the City walls called Aldersgate Ward Within, and the northern portion outside the walls, Aldersgate Ward Without.

The school was founded in 1702 for the purpose of educating children and adults in the Ward. The school appears to have used hired premises from the date of its foundation, and the last building used was a house in Little Britain, which formed part of the estate of the parish of St Botolph Aldersgate. In 1859 the school merged with the National School, and new buildings were erected at 160-161 Aldersgate Street. In 1875 the school merged with the Farringdon Within Ward Schools.

Commissioned into the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR) as Surgeon Sub Lt, 1931; served with Tyne Division, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR), HMS CALLIOPE, Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, 1931-1935; commissioned into the Royal Navy as Surgeon Lt, 1935; HMS GLORIOUS, Mediterranean Fleet, 1935-1937; HMS SHARPSHOOTER and HMS HEBE, 1 Minesweeping Flotilla, Devonport, 1937-1938; Assistant Medical Officer, HMS DOLPHIN, Fort Blockhouse, Gosport, Hampshire, 1938-1939; medically examined two of the four survivors from HM Submarine THETIS, lost with ninety nine crew members, Liverpool Bay, Jun 1939; served in World War Two, 1939-1945; Medical Officer, HMS KELLY, 5 Destroyer Flotilla, Home Fleet, 1939-1940; Royal Naval Hospital, Haslar, Portsmouth, 1940-[1941]; Surgeon Lt Cdr, 1941; served in the Royal Naval Hospital, Malta, 1945-1947; acting Surgeon Cdr, 1947; Instructor, HMS ROYAL ARTHUR, Training Establishment, Corsham, Wiltshire, 1947-1949; Surgeon Cdr, 1949; Royal Naval Sick Quarters, HMS TERROR, Singapore, 1950-1952; HMS VICTORY, Royal Naval Barracks, Portsmouth, 1952-1955; HMS DAEDALUS, Royal Naval Barracks, Royal Naval Air Station, Lee on Solent, Hampshire, 1955-1958; Surgeon Capt, 1958; Royal Naval Hospital, Haslar, Portsmouth, 1958-1961; HMS GANGES, Royal Naval Junior Training Establishment, Shotley Gate, Ipswich, Suffolk, 1961-1965; retired 1965, died 1980.Publications: The parish register of Bowes, 1670-1837. Bishop's transcripts, 1615-1700, transcribed by the Reverend William Oliver and edited by Alderson (Yorkshire Archaeological Society, Parish Register Section, Huddersfield, Yorkshire, 1964); The parish register of Rokeby, Yorkshire, Vols I-VII, 1598-1837, transcribed by the Reverend William Oliver and edited by Alderson (Yorkshire Archaeological Society, Parish Register Section, Huddersfield, Yorkshire, 1965).

The Aldgate and Allhallows Barking Exhibition Foundation was established by a Charity Commissioners' Scheme of 1894 which combined three parish charities, Hickson's, Starling's and Death's charities. The income of the Foundation was to be applied in maintaining exhibitions at secondary schools and Oxbridge. Any residual income could be used for the purposes of the Sir John Cass Technical Institute. Records pre-dating 1894 are largely of Death's Charity and include minutes and title deeds.

Established in 1883 to administer the united charities of the Freedom (i.e. within the City) part of St. Botolph Aldgate. Monies were paid to maintain Tower Gardens and St Botolph Aldgate churchyard; almspeople at Lumley Almshouses, pensions and medical relief for poor of parish.

The City of London was divided into wards for the purpose of government as early as Norman times. The wards had responsibility to keep the peace, supervise trade and oversee sanitation, and each ward has the right to elect an Alderman and Commoners to sit in the Court of Common Council of the Corporation of London.

One of the twenty-six wards of the City of London, Aldgate Ward is, with Tower Ward, the easternmost of the City of London's wards within the City walls. The ward is based around one of the four original gates in the City wall, built between 1108 and 1147. The ward contained four City parish churches: St Katherine Cree, St Katherine Coleman, St Andrew Undershaft and St James Duke's Place.

Aldgate Ward Club was known until 1906 as the Aldgate Ward Association. It was a social club encouraging the discussion of topics of local or general interest.

The City of London was divided into wards for the purpose of government as early as Norman times. The wards had responsibility to keep the peace, supervise trade and oversee sanitation, and each ward has the right to elect an Alderman and Commoners to sit in the Court of Common Council. The Aldgate ward is bounded by White Kennet Street in the north and Crutched Friars in the south, and includes Leadenhall Street and Fenchurch Street.

Aldgate Ward School

The City of London was divided into wards for the purpose of government as early as Norman times. The wards had responsibility to keep the peace, supervise trade and oversee sanitation, and each ward has the right to elect an Alderman and Commoners to sit in the Court of Common Council of the Corporation of London. Aldgate Ward is the easternmost of the City of London's wards within the City walls. The ward is based around one of the four original gates in the City wall, built between 1108 and 1147.

The school was established for boys and girls in the Ward in circa 1717, with buildings between Duke Street and Mitre Street. Following the Education Act of 1902 it decided in 1903 to merge with the Sir John Cass Foundation, transferring its property to the Foundation, on the condition that poor children of the ward had preferential access to the Foundation's technical college.

Giovanni Aldini was born in Bologna, Italy, 1762. He became Professor of Physics at Bologna in 1798. His scientific work was chiefly concerned with galvanism and its medical applications, with the construction and illumination of lighthouses, and with experiments for preserving human life and material objects from destruction by fire. He travelled in Europe, publicly electrifying human and animal bodies, and his performances were extraordinary theatrical spectacles. He came to London in 1802. His most famous experiment took place at the Royal College of Surgeons in London, in 1803, on a hanged man named George Forster. According to newspaper reports of the time, some of the spectators genuinely believed that the body was about to come to life, and were suitably awestruck even though it did not happen. The Emperor of Austria made him a Knight of the Iron Crown and a Councillor of State in Milan. He died in 1834.

Joined Royal Navy in 1859 and served on the Challenger Surveying Expedition, 1872-1875. Commanded survey vessels in the China Seas, the Red Sea, the Cape of Good Hope and elsewhere from 1877 to 1891. Rear Admiral 1898; Vice Admiral 1903; Admiral 1907. FRGS 1883-1930.

Aldrich entered the Navy in 1859 in the Marlborough, Mediterranean Station, later serving in the Scout, 1865 to 1867, on the South American Station. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1866 and was First Lieutenant in the CHALLENGER between 1872 and 1874. He then joined the ALERT, 1875 to 1876, as senior lieutenant during the British Arctic expedition led by Sir G.S. Nares (q.v.). In the spring of 1876 he explored the northern coast of Ellesmere Island with the sledge CHALLENGER. For service in this expedition he was promoted to commander. He was employed in the surveying vessels SYLVIA and FAWN in the Far East and off Africa between 1879 and 1884, being promoted to captain in 1883. He continued to serve until 1908 when he retired with the rank of admiral.

Born 1911; educated at Sedbergh School, Yorkshire and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst; commissioned into the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), 1931; service with 1 Bn, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), 1931-1938; Lt, 1934; Capt, 1939; Instructor, Royal Military College, Sandhurst, 1939-1940; served in World War Two, 1939-1945; service in North Africa, Italy, India, Burma and North West Europe, 1939-1945; temporary Maj, 1940-1941; Bde Maj, 1941-1942; General Staff Officer 2, Combined Operations Headquarters, 1942; General Staff Officer 2 (Staff Duties), Allied Forces Headquarters, 1942-1943; War Substantive Maj, 1943; awarded MBE, 1943; temporary Lt Col, 1943-1944; Commanding Officer, 2 Bn, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), Italy, 1944; War Substantive Lt Col, 1944; Col, Operations Staff of Maj Gen Orde Charles Wingate for second Chindit expedition, Operation THURSDAY, Burma, 1944; acting Brig, 1944; awarded OBE, 1945; General Staff Officer 1, 1945-1946; Maj, 1946; Chief Instructor, School of Combined Operations, 1946-1947; General Staff Officer 1 (Operations), Hong Kong, 1948-1950; General Staff Officer 1 (Directing Staff), Staff College, Camberley, Surrey, 1950-1952; Brevet Lt Col, 1951; Lt Col, 1953; Col, 1954; Commanding Officer, 1 Bn, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), 1954-1955; commanded 26 Gurkha Infantry Bde, 1955-1957; temporary Brig, 1955-1958; awarded DSO, 1957; Senior Instructor, Staff College, Camberley, Surrey, 1958; Brig, 1959; Brig General Staff, Department of the Chief of the Imperial General Staff, War Office, 1959; Imperial Defence College, 1959; awarded CBE, 1960; Chief of Defence Staff, Ghana, 1960-1961; commanded Ghanian contingent, UN Forces, Belgian Congo, 1960-1961; awarded CB, 1961; Chief of Staff, Northern Command Headquarters, York, 1962-1965; retired, 1965; British Observer, International Observer Team on Genocide, Nigeria, 1968; Col, The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), 1969-1974; died 1977. Publications: African tightrope. My two years as Nkrumah's Chief of Staff (Pall Mall Press, London, 1965).

Joshua Alexander was a solicitor in the City of London who, like many in that profession, acquired personally small areas of land ripe for development. The estates were as follows:

Surrey: Old Kent Road Estate: Hyndman Street, Albert Terrace, Church Street, Bradshaw Street, Alexander Street, Frederick Street;
Peckham Estate: Selden Road, Cemetery Road, Lausanne Road, Lindo Street, Hathway Street;
Norwood and Dulwich Estate: Park Road, Rosendale Road.

Middlesex:
Whitehall Estate, Tottenham: High Road, Whitehall Street, Moselle Street, Love Lane, Charles Street, William Street;
White Hart Lane Estate, Tottenham: White Hart Lane, Love Lane, Alexander Street, Stamford Street;
Tottenham (misc.): West Green Lane/Philip Lane, Hanger Lane;
Hornsey Estate: Maynard Street, Middle Lane, New Road, Cedar Place;
Hounslow Estate: Trinity Place;
Edmonton: Edmonton Grove/Snells Park, High Road.

Essex:
Stratford Estate: Reform Terrace, Windmill Lane, Hawksworth Terrace, Waddington Street, Bennetts Terrace, Norfolk Place.

After Joshua Alexander's death in 1876, his son Lionel carried on the administration of the estate, to which the letter books testify. The family were Jewish. Some of the letter books of a personal and family nature, show Lionel playing a considerable role in Jewish institutions and charities. He also contributed articles and letters to the press, including the Jewish Chronicle, on Jewish subjects.

The Alexandra Hospital for Children with Hip Disease was opened on 12 March 1867. Founded by a group of women (two of whom were nurses at the nearby Great Ormond Street Hospital), it was initially based in 19 Queen Square, Bloomsbury, London. Until 1870, it was known as the House of Relief for Children with Chronic Diseases of the Joints, and from 1870 to 1881 the Hospital for Hip Diseases in Children. Hip disease, or tuberculous arthritis, was a common disease at this time.

The demand for the hospital's beds was such that 18 Queen Square was purchased in 1872 to provide additional accommodation. 17 Queen Square was acquired in 1873 and properties in Queen Square Place were added over the following years. In 1881 the hospital was re-named after Princess Alexandra, and by 1897 the Alexandra Hospital had sixty-eight beds. However, the buildings in which the hospital was accommodated were dilapidated and unsanitary and in 1898 a decision was taken to re-build. The hospital took temporary accommodation at 34 Guilford Street, Russell Square, London whilst the rebuilding took place. The new hospital buildings opened on 20 July 1899. The Alexandra Hospital also had convalescent homes at Helen Branch Hospital, Bournemouth, Hampshire (1874-1993); Wash Well Home, Painswick, Gloucestershire (1893-1914); and Clandon Branch Hospital, East Clandon, Surrey (1903-1936).

In 1920, the Alexandra Hospital moved from its central London location. It took up residence at the Kettlewell Home in Swanley, Kent, the site of St Bartholomew's Hospital's convalescent home. The Alexandra Hospital had maintained close ties with Bart's from its foundation in 1867, and many of its medical staff had served both institutions. These links were now strengthened and on 3 November 1922, the hospitals amalgamated. After the amalgamation the Committee of Management was renamed the Committee of the Alexandra Hospital and Kettlewell Home.

In 1940, the Alexandra Hospital moved for the final time, to Stockwood Park near Luton, Bedfordshire, a property on lease from Luton Borough Council. It was later proposed that a further move be made to Nyn Park in Hertfordshire, but these suggestions came to nothing and in 1958 the Ministry of Health closed the Alexandra Hospital.

On the outbreak of war with Germany in 1914, some 50,000 Germans, Austrians, Hungarians and Turks living in Britain were arrested and detained in internment camps for 'male enemy aliens of military age'. Entertainments venue Alexandra Palace in North London was converted into a camp housing around 3,000 men, sleeping in rows in the Great Hall. The inmates formed various clubs including a football club, gardening society and amateur theatrical society as well as the concert society.

Alexandra Rose Charities

Alexandra Rose Charities works for small charities, helping them to raise money. "The Charity was launched in 1912 with the Alexandra Rose Day, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the arrival of Queen Alexandra to the United Kingdom. The Queen's admirers insisted that the day should be celebrated in a special way, and a processional drive through the streets of London seemed an obvious choice, but Alexandra wanted an occasion that would help the sick and needy. She had heard of a priest in Copenhagen who had provided much needed funds for the orphans he looked after by selling the beautiful roses he had grown in his garden and following a visit to him, she developed the idea of selling artificial wild roses which would benefit the funds of London Hospitals and which were to be made by the disabled from the John Grooms Society in Clerkenwell. The day was to be called 'Alexandra Rose Day', and the initial drive swept Londoners off their feet."

"The first event raised £32,000 (the equivalent of over £2 million in today's money). The funds raised were a great benefit to hospitals, and the annual drive became an institution, one of the chief attractions of London's summer."

After Queen Alexandra's death in 1925 HRH Princess Victoria became the Alexandra Rose Day president (1926-1935) and then HRH Princess Marina (1936-1968). The current President is HRH Princess Alexandra, the Hon Lady Ogilvy.

The original organiser of Alexandra Rose Day was Miss C May Beeman (1869-1935) who worked tirelessly to raise funds not only for Alexandra Rose Day, but also for the British Red Cross's 'Our Day', The Anzac Buffet, London and the Nations Fund for Nurses among others.

Two related charities are 'Our Day' and 'Their Day', these were charity days where the flag day collections were organised by Alexandra Rose Committees. 'Our Day' was organised by Miss Beeman on behalf of The British Red Cross Society and 'Their Day' flag days were run on behalf of 'Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen's Help Society' and 'Soldiers and Sailors and Airmen's Families Association'. The Chairman of 'Their Day' was the Admiral of the Fleet Lord Chatfield and again the organising secretary was Miss Beeman. The fund itself provided financial help to serving men and women in unforseen eventualities such as further assistance when on extended compassioante leave or on discharge and in domestic difficulties such as arrears of rent, rates and hire purchase, house repairs, sickness, confimements and the care of children.

Alexandra Rose Day was originally run from the home of Miss Beeman in Bolton Gardens, Kensington. Later premises in Barnes were sold in 1996 and Alexandra Rose Charities are now based in Farnham, Surrey.

Alexandra Rose Charities has helped thousands of charities in the United Kingdom to raise funds for themselves, providing them with assistance in making a collection, obtaining licences, supplying equipment and giving advice on everything from the legal aspects to planning the day and engaging volunteers. Alexandra Rose Charities have also run their own fund raising events such as the long running Rose Ball and the annual Rose Raffle.

Source for background history taken from the website www.alexandrarosecharities.org.uk

Born in 1933; educated at Rugby School and Royal Military College, Sandhurst; commissioned into Royal Engineers, 1953; Lt, 1955; assisted in preparation of nuclear tests on Christmas Island [1957-1958]; Capt, 1959; Maj, 1964; Military Assistant to the Chief of General Staff, 1965-1966; Lt Col, 1970; Col, 1974; served on General Staff of UK Land Forces 1974-1976; Deputy Director of the International Institute for Strategic Studies 1977-1986; died in 1986.

Margaret Alford was a lecturer in Latin at the University of London. In 1890 she graduated from Girton College, Cambridge University, with a degree in Classics. Alford was a visiting lecturer at Girton College, 1891 to 1917 and Westfield College, London, 1894-1919. She was head of the Department of Latin at Bedford College, University of London, between 1904 and 1909.

Curate of Butterton, Staffordshire, 1883-1886; Curate of Yatesbury, Wiltshire, 1886-1887; died 1901.

Publications: Notes on the Sermon on the Mount (Kent & Co, London, 1884); A Harmony of the Accounts of the Resurrection (Thomas Peake, Newcastle-under-Lyme, 1884); Notes on the First Epistle of St. John (Blackfriars Printing & Publishing Co, London, 1887).

Alicia Patterson Fund

The Alice Patterson Foundation Program (formerly known as the Alice Patterson Fund) makes awards to USA journalists to study in a foreign country. It was established in 1965 in memory of Alicia Patterson (1906-1963), who was editor and publisher of "Newsday" for nearly 23 years before her death in 1963. One-year grants are awarded to working journalists to pursue independent projects of significant interest and to write articles based on their investigations for the "The APF Reporter", a quarterly magazine published by the Foundation. Winners are chosen by an annual competition. Applicants must have at least five years of professional journalistic experience. The website for the Foundation can be found at: http://www.aliciapatterson.org.