Morat Street

 An Overview…

Morat street runs north to south between Liberty Street to the west and Hackford Road to the east. The street is entirely residential and is comprised of terraced houses that in appearance resemble those in Hackford Road and Caldwell Street, each housing three flats. It is unclear as to the exact date that Morat Street was completed however from examining the electoral rolls it is clear that the street was built in sections after 1901, appearing bit by bit on the records until 1907 when it is listed in full. The street was built on what was once open countryside and gardens between Clapham Road and Hackford Road. It is unclear where the name Morat Street comes from or what it is referring to, the only Morat I can find is a place in Switzerland.

It is commonly assumed that Morat Street was built as individual houses and converted into flats however this is not the case. This is easy to ascertain by looking at the early electoral rolls and the 1911 Census which describe Morat Street as being flats of either 3 or 4 rooms (excluding bathroom and hall).

The 1911 Census tells us that Morat Street’s early occupants were a mixture of people of lower middle class and working class backgrounds, young clerks, a taxi driver, a carpenter and many actors, actresses and entertainers. The reason for the presence of those connected with the entertainment industry was to do with the the proximity to Brixton. At the turn of the century Brixton was known as one of the main theatre and music hall areas of London and the entertainers needed somewhere to live, this is where Morat Street, Hackford Road, Cranworth Gardens and Liberty Street came in. These streets were part of a relatively new phenomenon, flats. Flats were at the time deemed to be a less savoury way of living, suited more to foreigners and unconventional types. They were ideal for the jobbing entertainers of Brixton as they were easy to obtain and most of all, cheap.

As the idea of living in flats became more accepted the streets filled up with families living alongside the flatshare setups of French and German waiters and music hall entertainers from as far away as the USA. In comparison to many areas in the early 1900’s Morat Street took on a liberal feel, even becoming somewhat notorious as a place for men to pick up ladies of low virtue. This reputation continued well into the 1940’s when local sources tell me that American GI’s would come to the area looking for a good time.

Morat Street stands today much as it has always done, housing a range of people from all over the world, some with families, some in flatshares, far fewer are actors or acrobats sadly. The seedy reputation has been replaced with the quiet humdrum of urban/suburban life.

Morat Street On Maps…

1876

The 1876 Ward map above shows that the area that Morat Street now stands on was once open countryside.

1908

The 1908 map above entitled Bartholomew’s Handy Reference Atlas Of London shows Morat street which in 1908 had only just been completed a year or so.

Morat Street in photographs…

1910

In the photograph above you can see Morat Street in 1910, note the horse and carts. The metal railings were removed in the WW2 metal salvage drive.

2012

Roughly the same view as in the 1910 photograph

Morat Street in World War 2…

 1945

In September 1940 the government started to collect and collate information relating to damage sustained during bombing raids, the map above is from 1945 and shows all WW2 bomb damage to Morat Street. The street emerged relatively unscathed in comparison to surrounding areas however it did take a couple of hits and some blast damage as you can see above. 

The bomb map shows number of 24 and 26 highlighted in dark and light red (they appear pinkish here but are meant to be red) see below

The damage done to the properties can be seen to this day – see the below photograph

You can see on the image above that number 24 and 26 are missing the top bay windows that the rest of the street has, instead the window areas are flat, you can see where the newer bricks have been put in to patch up the damage. It is the same further down the street at number 47 and 49.

35 Responses to Morat Street

  1. marian byford/wood says:

    is there anyone around who lived in morat street approx 1955 onwards – it would be interesting to hear of memories

    • John Rourke says:

      I lived in Morat Street from 1961 (straight from Lambeth Hospitial where I was born) until about 1974 when we moved to the Angell Town Estate. My main memory is of Elsie Bright who had a little Aladin’s Cave of broken toys and games in her front room. I also remember Danny and Roger who lived just down the road. Danny I think was a drag artist and Roger was his dresser.
      John

      • Liz Healy says:

        Hello John
        Are your parents names Kathleen and Johnny if so they would have known my parents Healy’s at 32b.
        Also I have pictures of Elsie at my holy communion.

    • Bernhard Draiscol says:

      My grandmother Elsie Bright lived there during and after the war.

      • Robert. Kemp says:

        Hi
        I lived in Morats street from 1954 to 1959 I am not sure of the number but it is down the bottom end . I went to the local infants school where my mother worked in the canteen
        My name is Robert Kemp and my father was John Kemp one of 5 brothers Charlie,Peter( later to change his name to Pierre Picton a world famous clown and the original owner of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) Arthur and Dennis
        My father John and his father and some of the brothers worked at Smithfield Market

        I moved to Morats street in March 1954 from S Wales where I was born, returning back to wales in 1959. I always think about morats street but I always thought it was in Brixton not Stockwell

      • Robert says:

        Does she have two sisters My nan had two sisters Rosie and Elsie

    • Robert Kemp says:

      I lived there from March 54 until September 59
      My family name is Kemp my father was one of 5 brothers we lived towards the end of the street I believe it to be the school end
      My mother worked in the school canteen
      It was my best time as a child
      My fathers parents live next door

    • Hi Marian,
      My name is Michael Cubitt and I lived in Morat Street in the 1950’s into the 70’s. Oh what memories I still have of growing up there. I lived at no 16, on the ground floor.

    • Ken Holmes says:

      I did,i lived in 54a Morat St,we moved from there to North Cheam in Surrey,then my father got into trouble financially,and believe it or not we moved back to the exact same address! There was a bus strike in that year,i left my bike outside a sweet shop, my father asked me to get 10 Woodbines,my bike was stolen! I remember a man used to come around with his hand cranked roundabout,you paid with glass jars,i also remembee the Queens Coronation and the St party,we had gang fights with the kids in Liberty St! Everything then was on ration then,neighbours then helped one another when we ran out of sugar or butter! I went to Cowley junior school. Im now 77! Ken Holmes.

    • Ken Holmes says:

      I did,i lived in 54a Morat St,we moved from there to North Cheam in Surrey,then my father got into trouble financially,and believe it or not we moved back to the exact same address! There was a bus strike in that year,i left my bike outside a sweet shop, my father asked me to get 10 Woodbines,my bike was stolen! I remember a man used to come around with his hand cranked roundabout,you paid with glass jars,i also remembee the Queens Coronation and the St party,we had gang fights with the kids in Liberty St! Everything then was on ration then,neighbours then helped one another when we ran out of sugar or butter! I went to Cowley junior school. Im now 77!

    • Ken Holmes says:

      I did,i lived in 54a Morat St,we moved from there to North Cheam in Surrey,then my father got into trouble financially,and believe it or not we moved back to the exact same address! There was a bus strike in that year,i left my bike outside a sweet shop, my father asked me to get 10 Woodbines,my bike was stolen! I remember a man used to come around with his hand cranked roundabout,you paid with glass jars,i also remember the Queens Coronation and the St party,we had gang fights with the kids in Liberty St! Everything then was on ration then,neighbours then helped one another when we ran out of sugar or butter! I went to Cowley junior school. Im now 77!

  2. Jennifer Wilkinson nee Clark says:

    I was born at home in Morat street in1947 leaving there in 1958 .Great times as a child growing up and going tothe Reay primary school.

  3. Mark Gregory says:

    Great to see history of Morat Street. My grandmother and mother lived here during the war I believe. My mum was born in 1939. Her name was Valerie Durrant.
    My grandmother was Kathleen Durrant. Not sure which house it was.

  4. carol marshal says:

    I used to live in morat street I was carol Rudderham lived at 9 mum and dad Mary and john Rudderham and brother john lived there in 1961 moved to bedfont mum I now live in Wolverhampton

  5. Ian Beckwith says:

    Hi
    My father and his family lived in 34 morat before they all migrated to a Australia in 1922. My fathers father was a musician

  6. roger says:

    I worked there in the 70s it was mostly owned by LONDON CITY AND WESTCLIFFE PROPERTIES, and adjoining streets, before that many prostitutes lived there.

  7. George Marjanski says:

    I lived at 49 Morat Street from 1948 to 1952. We were refugees from Palestine as my father was in the Free Polish Army. We moved to the U. S. In 1952 as displaced persons.

  8. Maralyn nee Oades says:

    I lived at 15a Morat St (middle flat) from 1951 until I married in 1969. Attended Durand Infant, Reay Junior and Stockwell Manor Secondary Schools. Many happy years playing in the street, rag & bone man, the paraffin man. Toffee apple man and ice cream van. I remember John Rouke who lived at 17b, with 3 siblings and parents. Mother was a nurse.

  9. Maralyn says:

    I lived at number 15a (first floor flat) from 1951 until 1969. Very happy memories of Durand Infants, Reay Junior and Stockwell Manor School. Danny and Roger lived at 11a and I think Roger was also a chauffeur, as on one occasion Cliff Richards visited their flat. I think my sister, along with others managed to get Cliff’s signature. I remember Michael Cubitt and his brother at number 16; Beryl Blowe (20); Pauline Flower (27); Linda, Rosemary & David Holland (24); the Rouke family (17b); Elizabeth, Rosemary, Margaret & Anna Crisci (17 & 13b); Jennifer, Gregory & Holly Smith (13a); John & Kenny Payne (13).

    • I remember you Maralyn and your parents…you dad was a postman. God your entry has brought back so many memories of our street. I remember you had a friend called Cherry Wilkinson (hope I got that right). Danny and Rodger who were gay lived in the street, forget the number, but the chauffeur you remember was Bunny Brimbal and his wife. I remember the red Sunbeam Tiger Clikk drove and parked in the street. Surprising it still had it’s wheels when he left.

    • Marian Wood / Byford says:

      It has been lovely to reminisce. I lived firstly at no. 34a middle flat and then 54 grd floor. Love ly to have a garden such as it was didn’t play only used for hanging out Washing and we had an aviary with canaries. I only knew vagualy of Linda Holland and family. Very very strict and strange parents.

  10. Carol Marshall says:

    I used to.live in morat street at 52 went to the school there I live now in wolverhampton I’m 58now carol marshall I was rudderham then

  11. Rebecca Leathlean says:

    I lived in Morat Street in the mid-80s. It was a new start for me – I got there by exchanging my flat on Clapham Park Estate for one of the flats owned by the London and Quadrant Housing Association. My life before had been blighted by burglaries and minor attacks by gangs of kids, so in Morat Street I was able to start living again. I did a journalism course at the London College of Printing and cycled everywhere – it was amazing to be so close to central London. I loved living in Morat Street. I moved out in 1989 because the government was offering grants for people leaving housing association properties to buy their own homes. I moved to Lewisham – but I’ve always missed living near the Oval.

  12. Carol marshall says:

    I lived in morat street with my brother John and mum and dad John and Mary rudderham we moved when I was about 5 as dad worked on heathrow Airport and fireman we moved to bedfont I dont know anybody who lived there I attended morat street school both my parents are dead brother is married in staines with his wife I now live in Wolverhampton with my second husband my two sons one married 3 months ago my other son married in telford got a 6 month old son we have 15 granchilden

  13. My name is Michael Cubitt and was born at no 21b in 1950 and lived in the street until 1973 when I married and moved out. Remember the 1950’s and 1960’s with great joy but later realised how deprived we were in those post war days. I went to Durand Infants, Reay Primary and then on to Kennington Boys where we were taught by teachers who actually thought, and called us, gutter snipes. Funny really, because some were Oxford graduates who were by all accounts losers themselves. Some really nice, honest people lived in Morat Street at the time and I remember then to this day with affection. Pauline Fowler, The Holland family, David, Rosemary, Linda, Marylin Oades, her sister and parents, Michael Jendreski ( wormg spelling I know) and many many more.

  14. Roma says:

    I’m researching my husbands family tree and they lived in Morat Street I believe during the 1950/1960’s I think they were in trouble with the law from what I’ve found out so far. Does any one remember the Cox/Deeth family?

    • Maralyn nee Oades says:

      Hi Roma

      I lived in Morat Street from 1951 until 1969 and remember occasions as a child when Police cars would be outside the Deeth’s flat at the top of the road. As children we would run up the road to see what was happening and find the Police taking someone away. The Deeth’s lived on our side of the road, which would have been an odd number. Think it would have been around number 41 or 43, near to the top of the road where Kennington Boys School and Durand Infants School were located. Hope this helps.

    • Marian says:

      Hi I lived there round about that time. Deeth rings a bell. Lived in top flat. Always rowing and fighting with the neighbours. David Deeth one of the sons comes to mind and Trevor or Terence

  15. Roms says:

    I’m researching my husbands family tree and they lived in Morat Street I believe during the 1950/1960’s I think they were in trouble with the law from what I’ve found out so far. Does any one remember the Cox/Deeth family?

  16. Raymond Mondragon says:

    Hello everyone
    I am in search of a lady by the name of Olive Grau. this lady lived on 8 Morat street. I am not sure how long she lived their but I do know she lived therein 1943 and 1944 with her new born son.

  17. Ami says:

    Very interesting reading people’s memoirs of the street they lived and others they remember and knew. Great! I’ve just bid to move into Morat street. Seems a quant little street with history behind in from its 100 year depiction !

  18. Lorraine Conway says:

    I am trying to track down my mums family history. The family were all Londoners by the name of Honeybunn and Sewell. My mum was sort of fostered out to a couple who lived in Morat Street at I believe number 6a they were a Mr and Mrs Moore. She was known as Ethel. I think I read somewhere Mr Moore committed suicide by hanging in possibly the thirties as my mum remembered him. I do not know his name. My mum was born in 1932 and was probably about six when she stayed there she was Jean Sewell known as June. Any help would be appreciated.

  19. Kim Dacombe. says:

    I lived in Morat Street from around 1964 to 1972.
    With my mum dad and brother Roger.
    I remember Brain and Kathy who lived next door and Maralyn who lived across the road with her two children.
    I went to Durand Primary them onto Archbishop Temple.
    I remember playing out alot.
    Some good times.

  20. Kim Dabbs nee Dacombe says:

    I lived in Morat Street from around 1964 to 1972.
    With my mum dad and brother Roger.
    I remember Brain and Kathy who lived next door and Maralyn who lived across the road with her two children.
    I went to Durand Primary them onto Archbishop Temple.
    I remember playing out alot.
    Some good times.

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