catos.net

History of William Cato & Sons Limited

W H Cato opened a hardware store in Bolton Gardens (now Duke’s Road) in West London at the beginning of the 20th century. The earliest existing photograph is from 1902. Cato’s developed into a chain of hardware stores, later ‘Homecentres’ spread over the West London environment. The chain finally closed […]

Recollections of Frank Cato – Spanish Civil War 1936

Spanish Civil War 1936 After school at Caterham 1919-1925 I joined my father and brothers, Will and Ted, in Cato’s (the family firm). In 1927 my wife-to-be, June, came to Branch 1 at Chiswick and so began our companionship, which lasted, unbroken except for my army period 1941-1946, until her […]

Recollections of Frank Cato – The Auxiliary Fire Service 1939-1941

Auxiliary Fire Service In July 1939 Percy and I took the ferry across to Calais and made our way through France down to Switzerland. We had a cine-camera with us and were thus able to record our tour. The film shows us, on our motorcycles, journeying through France and, in […]

Recollections of Frank Cato – Second World War 1941-1946

Second World War The day came in 1941 for my call up into the army. Upon reporting a group of us were sent to the Isle of Wight where we were billeted in a former holiday camp. After reveille we mustered in the hall for a few words of information […]

Percy Cato was on the 19 OTU Pilots course No 34 dated 22 Mar 1942 and was posted to 102 Squadron

Second World War – Royal Air Force – F/Sgt Percy Cato 1914-1942

RAF Service History of F/Sgt Percy Cato Many thanks to Geoff King (relative of Captain P/O Geoffrey King) compiler of the following information. It seems his first operational flight was as second pilot to Captain P/O Geoffrey King and his crew to Bremen 4/5 Sept 1942 in Halifax W.1247 DY-A, […]

World War I Letters of Alan Tilbury

Alan Tilbury (1881-1917) Please select a letter from the list displayed below (pdf opens in a new window displayed as original letters on first page and transcripts beneath) early letter to son Alan undated 1917 to son Alan undated 1917 to son Alan 11th January 1917 from son Alan 20th January […]

Letter to Mama from Alan Tilbury’s son

5th December (1916?) Letter written by Alan’s son (Alan) to his mother from hospital. Please click on the link below (pdf opens in a new window displayed as original letters on first page and transcripts beneath) Letter to Mama from Alan Tilbury’s son

Historical notes relating to Alan Tilbury

Alan Tilbury (1881-1917) Researches undertaken by David Jackman in respect of the demise of Alan Tilbury. Please select from the list displayed below (pdf opens in a new window displayed as original letters on first page and transcripts beneath) Information collated by David Jackman 02-01-2005 Cemetery details relating to Alan Tilbury Information […]