"Dear Mother, arrived here safe finding all swell. Lucy went off alright but rather downhearted. I shall be home about 10.30 on Sunday night. With love Wallace." 

Posted: 7th January 1911

During 1658 a large whale was caught in the River Thames. Some of its bones were transported to Chadwell Heath where two were placed on either side of the toll gate in the road now known as Whalebone Lane. The bones remained there until around 1870 when the toll gate was removed. Two other bones were placed over the side gates to Whalebone House, an old-fashioned building with a small bell turret in the middle of the roof.

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