Bill Brandt

[pupak]

Apparently the photographer Bill Brandt lived in Sydenham. Does anyone know the exact location?

[tulse hill terry]

He did photograph the terraces after the 1936 fire, published in Picture Post 1939. Hope it helps.

[Steve Grindlay]

I have also heard that he lived in Sydenham, and had taken photographs of the area. However, I have searched street and telephone directories and can find no record of him having actually lived here.

One source says that on his marriage in 1932 he went to live in Belsize Park and "Bill Brandt" is certainly listed there in telephone directories from 1936 (presumably when he got a phone) until 1984 (the year after his death). Pity, really, as it would be great if we could claim him as one of ours.

It is possible, I suppose, that he stayed here for a short time while photographing the CP, but this might be difficult to prove.

[pupak]

It was on a BBC4 documentary about him that they said he lived in Sydenham. In fact the program started with shots of Sydenham train station. I wish I could find out more, but I guess as you say it was probably only for a short time.