Recreated 1920s High Street Trade Directory Part Two.

Part two= Even number businesses. Part One dealt with the odd numbers.

Compiled from adverts, street directories, property records, letters, news stories etc.

Some properties in the High Street were still residential at this period and so not included here.

Property numbers in the 1920s were not the same as those for the same properties in the 1800s due to significant renumbering. They also do not always match those of modern properties in the same spot. Additionally bear in mind that in the 20th century it became increasingly common for the name of a shop to remain unchanged even after the business was sold out of the family so that a person's name remained connected to a business long after their actual involvement or even lifetime. In this post unless stated all people mentioned were actually running the premises bearing their name.

Looking for more historic occupiers of the High Street or any other Marlow street? See our Street Index for a list of posts about the historic people and businesses of each. For the High Street this includes 1700s and the year 1833 occupier listings. There is also on the blog Marlow wide trader compilations for the 1700s, and 1800-19. Many people mentioned in this post have mentions in multiple other posts on this blog too. To find every mention of anyone please consult the A-Z Person Index on the drop down menu.

*Updated September 2025*

4. National Deposit Friendly Society. 

6-10  James Morgan and Son / J Morgan and Son Ltd drapers, mens' and womens' outfitters, milliner's, mourning clothes supplier and house furnishers. An old Marlow business. My detailed post about this business and the Morgans here. They did not live on the premises however various of their staff were given accommodation there in this period.

14 International Stores. Opened 1901 in a building that had been converted from a house and at the time had also recently been used to accommodate boarders attending Borlase school. Modern Superdrug.

16 L.H Snow (Leonard Hardy Snow) chemists. He lived on the premises with his family. This was a chemist premises for decades. Leonard was there by 1907. Also like most chemists of the day a seller of photography supplies. The shop fittings and stock were damaged in a fire in 1933. Leonard died in 1946 aged 72 in Hastings Sussex. 

The infamous Snow's Bronchial Balsam advertised in 1927. 

18 Thomas Nichols outfitter, also given as Nicholls In 1920 but he moved to 46a High Street by 1921. Thomas was born 1876. In business in the High Street by 1907. Still going in the 30s at the second address. He lived in Claremont Road.

20 George Bailey tobacconist, newsagent, stationer. In business by 1911. Born c. 1867. George also had a bicycle shop and motor garage at no 5 West Street in the 20's managed by his son Robert. The High Street business was still going in 1942 and still described as a tobacconist, stationer and newsagent.

1929 ad

22 Sayer brothers 1920-21 / Barksfield Brothers both grocers and wine merchants. In 1920 and 1921 Sayer brothers are listed at no 22 but in 1923 the Barksfield Brothers shop was there. I am not certain who was personally managing this shop, probably Joseph Barksfield. In 1942 the Barksfield Brothers also operated from number 17 High Street. They were still at number 22 in the early 1950s. Prior to the 1920s this was Bidmead's stores.

24 Clark's butchers. William Robert Clark 1920, Lizzie Clark widow 1921+ . Her son Frank was the shop manager. Long standing family business.

26 Freeman Hardy and Willis. Boots / shoes. First opened in Marlow 1901 on the opposite side of the High Street. Moved to no 26 after 1907.

28 Newman and Chalk ironmongers. My post about the history of this business (unusually for an ironmongers managed by females for many years) is here. 

30 & 32 Frederick William Rowe jeweller, silversmith & watchmaker. Made many of the trophies awarded in local events including for the regatta. He also produced a range of exclusive Marlow souvenirs. The ironmongers next door were sub contracted to repair metal items for Rowe's customers. Frederick and his family did not live on the premises in this era. They bought the shop premises in 1905 having previously rented it. Rowe retired 1946 and the premises became F Hinds, jeweller

36 R Toomer and co coal, coke and peat merchants 1920. Here by 1910. They had moved offices to Station Approach by 1927, where their yard was. They also had a coal business at Bourne End Station and were "by appointment to H.M the King" no less. Toomer had bought the coal business of Thomas Bilson Butler in 1893. This property was later used as part of number 38.

38 Henry Bolton 1920 / Albert Charles Page 1921+ both hairdressers. Albert was also a perfumer and photo dealer. He was already a hairdresser in the High Street in 1910 when he came to Marlow from his previous premises in Cambridge. Initially he was at a different premises. Albert was born c.1890. Son of West Street greengrocer and florist Hiram Page. Albert emigrated to Canada. Neither of the 1920s proprietors of no.38 lived on the premises. 

40 William Henry Goodchild grocer and tobacconist 1920. He later in the decade worked for a grocer in Maidenhead so must have given up his own shop. He lived in Little Marlow Road Marlow.

42 Wallin's dairy (and their home). By 1932 called "Harleyford Dairy".  Sold dairy, eggs, ice cream. Listed as operated by a Thomas Wallin 1915, a William Wallin 1920 and 1921 (who lived in Station Road), a Thomas Wallin 1939 and "T Wallin" in 1942. 

44 later Leo Ryan electrician, but he was still on the other side of the street in the 1920s.

46 Martin's Chemists. Edward George Martin. -In business by 1907, when it was located on the opposite side of the High Street where Harrington's hairdressers is now. By 1938 Martin's had been taken over by Mr H.C Haley but still traded as Martin's. It was still there as such in 1942. Later the name was changed to Haley's Chemists. Looks to have incorporated the property that was technically number 48 too.

46a Thomas Nichols men's outfitter, who moved from number 18 (q.v).

50 Edmund Coster grocer (born 1856, son of Edward Joseph Coster AKA Joseph the Marlow Lockeeper). Raised a congregationalist. As a young man was a grocer's assistant. He had two family members whom he may have assisted in this respect, both in West Street. Grocer Noah Bartlett married Edmund's older sister Ellen, and Edmund also had a grocer relative called Richard Coster. More on Noah here, that post also contains a link to an image of Ellen's grave. By the 1920s Edmund also had hardware shop West Street. In business here by late 1880s. In 1911 both premises were grocers ran by Edmund. Wife Mary (nee Carter). In the 1930s the Coster's expanded into number 52 next door as well. Edmund died in 1930. By 1942 and until at least the 1950s his former High Street premises were occupied by R Brown and Son grocers. 

52 Percy James Rowe office of this architect and surveyor. Surveyor for the brewery but also worked independently. In the 1930s and for a long time thereafter these premises were Coster's tobacconist. Percy lived at the house Daintree, Claremont Gardens.

54 Misses Guttridge and Udy millinery in 1920. Miss Udy was probably Florence Udy who had earlier worked as a draper's assistant. If so she lived with her parents at Woodview, Station Road. This business not listed 1915. Later it operated solely as the business of Miss Guttridge who was styled as a costumier. Florence Udy later traded independently from 17 West Street Marlow before moving to Sussex. Some residential rooms above the premises seem to have been let separately.

58 bank 

60 W.H Smith and co bookseller, stationer.

62 Reginald Higgins 1920 / Theodore Harold Greville from late 1920 or early 1921 / Norman Greville who took over in 1929 all photographers.  Before this period was Scott and Smith photographers. Norman Greville was the younger brother of Theodore and had been running a photography shop in Maidenhead. This business was also continued and sold art supplies too. Theodore also at one point looks to have operated from no 7 High Street Maidenhead. Though raised in Britain, and with an English mother, the men had a German father Adolphus / Adulfus Julius Schwanke. You can imagine that having a German last name in England during the 1st world must have been very difficult for the family. Though Adolphus had been naturalized back in 1899 he was still an object of suspicion for many. In 1918 when the family lived in a farm near Warwick 16 year old Norman (already a photographer's assistant) was fined £5 for falsifying his endorsement signature in a French "alien's" identity book. Norman altered his last name to Swunke in an attempt to seem more English. He had been told that only natural born British householders could endorse with a signature the Frenchman's identity documentation. Norman lived at home with his family so wasn't a "householder" though he may not have understood that. His friend knew him to be a British citizen and foresaw no problems with him doing a signature. Young Norman however was obviously nervous of signing with a Germanic name, so he altered his. A suspicious police officer detected a "particularly foreign" note to the name "Swunke" nevertheless and Norman was first questioned and then arrested. During the proceedings against Norman it was realized by the court that his father was a householder as he had the vote. This they found "undesirable" in a German and it was decided that they should try to disenfranchise him. Norman and all of his siblings legally changed their name from Schwanke to Greville in 1920. Norman was already living at 62 High Street then, as was his brother Theodore, two more brothers Herbert Reginald and Cecil plus a sister Dorothy as well as their parents (who did not change their names). In 1937 Norman exhibited a selection of his own educational talking films to the Rover Scouts in Beaconsfield. He helped the Allies in WW2 by performing aerial reconnaissance photography. This meant that his wife Alice (nee Hickman, m 1929) was often managing the shop. During this period they also offered picture framing. Theodore and Herbert Reginald went on to manage, one after the other, a photography shop in Watford. Cecil became a photographer in Slough. Theodore was also a miniature painter while Norman was friends with the local artist Stanley Spencer so an artistic streak ran through the family in more ways than just photography.

64 Arthur Edward Davis dairy. He was born c.1871. "Marlow Creameries". He and family lived there too at this time. Still there in 1942. A fondly remembered business. 

1929 ad

66 William B Langston boot and shoes.  Full biography of William and historic pic of premises here. Currently The Ivy restaurant. 

84 George Kendall estate agent (established 1897), auctioneer, insurance agent, newspaper correspondent, deputy registrar, secretary to the Marlow Freemasons, collector of rates. He did not live on the premises in the 1920s. By 1942 the estate agent was being ran by Mr H Clanchy though still under the name of George Kendall. The estate agency business in name at least was later located in West Street. 

90 William Henry Badger confectioner. William was also the Parish Clerk and a music tutor. A long standing confectionery business. Biography of his father who was in the same premises before him here

92-94 Catherine Sanson / Samson (Mrs) draper. Lived on premises. Born c.1878. Husband Henry was a travelling salesman for a wholesale clothing company. Moved from Essex though Catherine was a Lincolnshire girl by birth.

©Marlow Ancestors. You are very welcome to use my research for family or local history purposes with credit to this blog.

Selected sources (too many to list!):

Stock Exchange Year-book. Jamaica, n.p, 1933.

Marlow Parish Magazine 1942.

Kelly's Post Office Directory of Buckingamshire etc by Kelly's and Co Limited 1911, 1915, 1920, and 1939 editions.

Programme with adverts for King George's Cinema Marlow 1927 published by S Presbury and co.

Pharmaceutical Journal: A Weekly Record of Pharmacy and Allied Sciences. United Kingdom, J. Churchill, 1930.

 Chemist and Druggist: The News Weekly for Pharmacy. United Kingdom, Benn Brothers., 1933.

The Electrical Journal. United Kingdom, D. B. Adams., 1929.

The Book of Bungalows. United Kingdom, published by Country Life, 1926.

Auto Motor Journal. United Kingdom, Pictorial Press, 1920.

Salter, John Henry, and Salter, J. A.. Salter's Guide to the Thames. United Kingdom, Alden & Company, Limited, 1921.

Holiday Haunts in England Wales and Channel Islands, 1927, Great Western Railway.

The Bankers', Insurance Managers', and Agents' Magazine. United Kingdom, Waterlow & Sons Limited., 1922.

https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/3100345/leo-redver-ryan/

1929 Marlow Parish Magazine.

South Bucks standard clippings from Aug 10th 1900,  Jan 20th 1910 and Jan 11th 1912.

Bucks Advertiser 13th Jan 1922. This edition from the British Library Archives via the BNA. As was The Hastings and St Leonard's Observer 1st Feb 1947 and the Leamington Star Courier 23rd August 1918.

Watford Advertiser, online edition, 7th January 2010.

"England and Wales Death Registration Index 1837-2007", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVH8-TCVC : 2 November 2021), Edmund Coster, 1930.

1901 and 1911 England and Wales Census. Crown Copyright.

Kelly's Directory of Chemists and Druggists ...: In England & Scotland & Wales, the Channel Islands and Isle of Man. United Kingdom, n.p, 1921.

London Gazette 26th October 1920.

Recreated 1920's Marlow High Street Trade Directory with notes

Part One - odd numbers

With notes

Recreated from adverts, letters, trade directories, property transactions, newspaper stories, court cases etc.

The property numbers quoted here are not necessarily going to match up with modern numbers because of demolitions and amalgamations or other reasons and remember that the High Street had already been renumbered in the 1910s so that any 1920s property numbers will not usually be referring to the same property as their Victorian counterparts. 

Some properties on this side of the High Street were residential at this time and are not included in this post. The post office was also in the High Street, and the entrance to the brewery.

Many people mentioned here already have multiple mentions on this blog. To see all posts featuring any person looking for that person on the A-Z Person Index on the top drop down menu. More High Street history posts are indexed here, including

1-3 Lawrence and Son estate agents for domestic and commercial sales and lettings, auctioneers, valuers, insurance agents. The surveyor at the company was John Robert Laird who lived on the premises with his family. The business was later "Lawrence Son and Laird". One of the Mr Lawrences was a director of the Marlow Water Company.

5 Harold John Welch hairdresser in 1920 (bn 1879). (Sometimes given as being at 3 but was not) / The Cafe (that was the official name!) ran by Rose Owles.

7 National Provisional and Union Bank  - previous occupants of this building are listed here. The bank manager Cuthbert Raymond lived on the premises with his family. This was normal for banks at the time. More history of this premises here

9 Mrs Bonner Wellicome antique and furniture dealer 1920,21 (in business by 1911) New Branch of London County Westminster And Parr Bank mentioned as opening at no 9 1922. Head clerk on opening was Mr G. W Cousins.

11 Welbourne and Simpsons printers. Simpson was Herbert Edward Simpson born c1872. Earlier Smith & Co stationers, printers and circulating library. By 1942 was just ran by Herbert as H.E Simpson's newsagent, tobacconist and lending library. At some point in the 1920s the printers also apparently used number 15 High Street.

13 Lawrence J Smith office insurance agent, correspondence address for Great Marlow Water Company. Also in 1920 custom and excise office of James Gauld and the premises of confectioner Bert Jaynes. Lawrence at least was still there in the early 1930s. Presumably the offices  were above or behind the shop.

17  Harrell Limited grocers. Below is an ad from 1929. Possibly had moved from the other side of the High Street.

Harrell's were still at no. 17 in 1939. In the early 1930s there was an off licence at no.45 High Street called Harrell's which must have been a related business. Number 17 was later taken over by Barksfield Brothers for a second Marlow premises. 

19-21 Charles Drye "coach builder" of long standing but was already moving into the field of motor cars. Business known initially as the Marlow Motor works, then  came to be known as the "Marlow Carriage and Motor Car Company". A lot more on the early days of motoring in Marlow in this post. Now W H Smith. 

23 British and Argentine Meat Company. There by 1915. Some staff seem to have lived in. Formerly the base of royal furniture makers the Mealings

25 Phillip Brothers fishmongers from at least 1911. Some staff lived on the premises. By 1931 was Mac Fisheries. 

27 George Frederick Hill offices? Later amalgamated with number 29 into one premises.

29 Arthur George Hill upholsterer and cabinet maker. Arthur was in business with James Henry Tugwood until 1900 when they dissolved their partnership as furniture dealers, upholsters and decorators under the name Tugwood and Hill. Thereafter Arthur continued under his own name only. He witnessed his neighbour Gutteridge (below) being burgled in 1912. In the 1930s this was Hill and Son Upholsterers and in 1942 "A.G Hill and Son".

31 William Guttridge  hairdresser, perfumer, fancy goods /Harriet Guttridge toy seller on the same premises. Husband and wife. William had been in premises some years. In 1912 he was was described as a hairdresser and tobacconist when he was burgled. [Building demolished]

33 Ellen Arnold confectioner. The toy shop today. Formerly the Way family premises see here, also Kempster's. 

35 Lovell's building company offices. Edward Turner the manager lived in the premises. Their builder's yard was behind some of the neighbouring buildings along here. They also had a bit of yard in Dedmere Road. Offices still here 1942. Lovells as a whole became a national business. In Marlow they also functioned as undertakers and house decorators. History of other former builders who occupied this property here and about Young James Lovell himself here.

37 Daisy Ilsley's Prep School 1921. Her sister Emma Ilsley taught music and shorthand here too /Leo Redver Ryan electrical supplies and radio seller/electrician in 1929, probably earlier too. Moved premises to number 44 by 1938. Killed when a bomb fell near Bovingdon Green in WW2. His son was also injured. They were delivering a radio. A WW1 Navy veteran. The Imperial War Museum has a photo of Leo as a young man see here (leaves this site). The man for whom Ryan's Mount in Marlow is named. 

41 [Cromwell House] Gerald Berkeley Wills offices several businesses. Surveyor and architect by 1920. He was still in the High Street several years later but I am not certain if his premises were still at Cromwell House. Gerald designed the Marlow Cottage Hospital in 1914. He built Wolmer Cottage Bovingdon Green and lived in it with his family. Prior to his marriage to his wife Kathleen, Gerald lived at Stratton House, West Street Marlow. By 1921 also offices of Cripps and Shone solicitors. 

The building became by 1926 the offices of the Marlow Urban District Council. It housed the Post Office from December 1897.  The council clerk Llewellyn Shone had an office in the building. 

Full history of Cromwell House here

47 Alfred Davis junior journalist. Prominent in the organisation of local sports - and the Olympics! 

49 Walter Davis tailor, hosier, hatter etc. A Long standing business. 

The Chequers Hotel / pub [53] Billiards room. RAC approved. Pub also mentioned as a "masonic hall" 1927. In 1920 and 21 run by Lillian Long (bn 1888) who took over the premises in 1917, having moved from London. Her husband William was a motor engineer. Could be something to do with the below motor company. There is some reason to believe William and Lillian also rented no 55 in the early 1920s. They had moved to Aylesbury by 1932 where William worked as the manager of the Aylesbury Motor Company.

55 Marlow Motor Company. Newly formed with £500 capital in 1920, most likely involving William Long above. Also the premises of an unknown electrical engineer in the same year. / The Corner Restaurant in 1927 which also offered boarding. In 1927 proprietor was Charles J Paul. Restaurant still there late 1930s. Charles was also an insurance agent. On corner of High Street/Institute Rd. 

57 Grays' Stores. Henry Gray born c1867. Took over the Clifton grocer's and wine merchant's in 1901. Initially ran the shop with his brother James who was also a rent collector / letting agent but James had left the shop by about 1906 to concentrate on the latter business. Henry's shop was one of the fancier places in town to buy your provisions. He lived in Glade Road in this period. James lived in the Old Vicarage then later the house Thamesfield.

59 Residential address of Harry Redgrave jobbing gardener as well as the office (and possibly rooms of) T.N.W Watts who was secretary to Hambledon Council. Long term surveyor and inspector of nuisances for Marlow Urban District Council. Today is Fego.

61 William and Thomas Sellman builders, plumbers and painters. Here by 1911. William lived in. The Sellmans left these particular premises before 1939. In 1942 no.61 was Tillion's florists. 

"Palmers" Dr George Downes. Physician. His home and medical premises in one. His wife Aileen Downs was instrumental during WW1 in setting up an Infant Welfare Centre in Marlow, which suffered from high infant mortality due to poor housing and poverty at that time.

67 James Eyre Jackson artist.

73 "Quarry House" Francis Culhane doctor, surgeon, councillor. Biographical post on him here

75 William Jackson dentist 1920. This building does not exist anymore. Not in same spot as modern 75. Formerly a doctor's premises.

77 George Morton antiques. By 1939 was Kendall and Morton antiques dealers. Not in same place as modern 77 due to renumbering.

79 William Robinson pianoforte tuner and music warehouse in 1920.  Had been there for some years. He probably also gave piano lessons. In 1921 his widow Lily Robinson operated as a piano and music dealer here. Not in position of modern 79 due to renumbering. 

81 Thomas Wheeler refreshment rooms. Also tobacco seller. These premises were on the corner with Station Road. Not the same as modern 81 due to renumbering. Thomas  was not there 1915. He had previously ran a restaurant in Slough. Born c1863. 

Also Honourable mention to 

Charles Carter baker and confectioner on the Causeway which is a continuation of the High Street. (In recent times was Burgers. A  long standing bakers premises)

- Unnumbered - Currall's Garage (sales and service) plus radio agents. (Building demolished) 

Part two will contain the even numbers plus selected references.

©Marlow Ancestors. You are welcome to use this information for family or local history purposes with credit to this blog.

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