James Gray: On this page, and the two preceding ones, are photographs of six consecutive houses, Nos 77-87, on the east side of Milner Road. The photographer himself has written in the date when he took them, 26 September 1911 and it can be seen that there is evident and serious dilapidation. This is another of the Boer War streets, being named after Alfred, Lord Milner, and onetime High Commissioner for South Africa, and the first houses were erected in 1904. The houses shown were not among these and were probably not built until 1908 or 1909 and yet within two or three years were empty and in bad repair.
James Gray: Higher up on the east side, the adjoining houses, Nos 81-83, seemingly in somewhat better condition, but with what may have been a closing notice displayed in the front basement window. At this period houses such as these would not have been built for sale but to let and it may be that some speculative builder put them up very cheaply. There is no evidence that either of the houses had been occupied by the date of the photographs and yet there is a well-worn path in the garden of No 83.
James Gray: See caption for jgc_27_169 above. jgc_27_170
James Gray: Here are the last of these houses, Nos 85-87, both of which seem to be occupied at the time of the photographs. In spite of this, however, their condition looks very bad for houses built so recently, including broken windows. This could be due to problem tenants or to very poor workmanship by the builder – most likely a combination of the two. Whatever the reason these houses were closed within just a year or two of being built and remained so until 1914. Today, in 1968, they are still standing each occupied by a single family doubtless quite ignorant of the troubles which the houses experienced 57 years previously. jgc_27_172
James Gray: See caption for jgc_27_173 above. jgc_27_174
2018: These three photographs were taken of the rear of houses in Milner Road. Unfortunately it is no longer possible to gain direct access to the gardens although this aerial view shows that the bleak desolation of yesteryear has been replaced by pleasant looking green spaces. (Photographer: Ron Fitton)
James Gray: See caption for jgc_27_172 above. jgc_27_171
2018: See caption for jgc_27_169 above. (Photographer: Ron Fitton)