Opening Kingsway, Cleethorpes; Grimsby Road-Park Street junction 1906.

An original, unposted, real photographic postcard by the photographer Joseph Samuel Bullen of Grimsby who produced a series of photos taken on the day. An Irishman, Bullen worked in Grimsby and Louth from c1905 until c1937. His studios were in Freeman Street and later in Welholme Road.

The magnificent ‘Kingsway’ was opened on 12th July 1906 by Lady Henderson. Lady Henderson was the wife of Sir Alexander Henderson, Chairman of the Great Central Railway (GCR) from 1899 until 1922.

Charles White was a general draper, gents’ outfitter, dressmaker, hatter, hosier and glover at 2/4 Grimsby Road. He was born in Irby-in-the-Marsh, Lincolnshire in c1863 and married Emma Bates of Grimsby in 1887. They had two sons, George Harry White (1888-1964) and Charles Frederick White (1891-1941). Charles White died in 1913, aged 50. Emma White, master draper, was still running the business in 1939. She died in 1942. George Harry White continued to run the business.

The shop shown in the photograph is now the premises of Heron Foods.

Note: Two boys have bare feet. It was summer. The girl is unsuccessfully trying to get the baby in the pram to look at the camera.