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During World War Two, from 1940 onwards the German Luftwaffe’s nightly bombing raids targeted the docks and communities along the River Thames, destroying ships, cargoes, and homes resulting in a tragically high loss of civilian life. The impact was devastating to the East End, an area already coping with extreme deprivation, low incomes, damp and overcrowded homes, poor medical facilities and virtually no sanitation. One Peabody building, the Whitechapel, only had a few cold water taps and just 2 toilets that were shared among 32 families. At this point in Wilton’s life, it was home to the Old Mahogany Bar Church, run by the East End Methodists Mission.

In 2003, a new TV programme ‘RESTORATION’ first screened on BBC hosted by Griff Rhys Jones. A variety of neglected buildings about to crumble into ruin were chosen and viewers had the chance to vote to restore one dilapidated building back to life.

One evening while watching television at home in North Yorkshire, one viewer, Mrs Irene Sutton was delighted and surprised to see Wilton’s featured. She was prompted to write describing her memories of the years she lived and worked at the Mission during that very traumatic period in the East End.

Her hand-written letters provide wonderfully descriptive accounts of the contrast she faced on her arrival from a rural life in the north of England to the flattened, bombed-out streets around Whitechapel. Married to Pastor John Sutton, Mrs Sutton’s reminiscing is anything but downbeat, it is positively uplifting as she describes daily life and the local families’ grit and determination to overcome adversity.

The Hall offered sanctuary and not just a place of worship but a lively social centre too, the doors were open to everyone and the hall bustled with activities for all the community. No one was ever turned away, hot meals were served and clothing handed out to those who’d lost so much from their homes. The generosity was widespread although on one occasion, a donation to the Hall prompted the raising of a quizzical eyebrow – one particular Harvest Festival, a member of the congregation proudly handed a live chicken to a surprised Reverend Sutton.

Brownies; girl guides and boy scouts; youth clubs, and women and men’s clubs all met regularly in the Hall. Food and clothing were in extremely short supply due to rationing at this stage in the war, so resourcefulness and creativity was required. Reverend John Sutton, ‘Skip’, the boy scout leader, made the boy’s uniforms from donated army uniforms and their scarves from bandages dyed blue and gold stitched together. The boys were very proud of ‘their made together uniforms’.

The raids had regularly cut off basic services such as water, gas and electricity supplies and left the air heavily polluted from the smoke of smouldering fires. It was a treacherous environment for all. But there was one kindly Samaritan, London Transport. Families, children and staff were regularly driven out of the smog and bomb ravaged streets to spend laughter-filled days in the fresh air of the Essex countryside. Not just days out but camping trips too, everyone enjoyed the freedom and clear skies.

When still a music hall and bar, Wilton’s hid a past of rumoured hidden passages, and whispers of escaping sailors running along tunnels down the River Thames to jump back on board their ships. One elderly woman who helped Pastor and Mrs Sutton with the cleaning, had started work in the bar when she was just 12 years old. A veteran of the East End who wore a cloth cap and sacking apron to work, she knew every nook and cranny and entertained everyone with her tales of Wilton’s secrets.

Mrs Sutton’s vivid account of Wilton’s during the war years are fascinating as to how the Hall adapted to the catastrophic environment outside its protective walls. It is a testament to the families of the East End and the endurance of all how to ‘keep calm and carry on’!