Until less than twenty years ago Newham Dockland was focused around the Royal group of Docks and included Beckon Gasworks, both of which were among the largest in the world. Behind the dock walls and fences was a separate bustling world, where thousands serviced the ships which brought cargoes, seamen and travellers from many lands.

Along the riverside were some of London’s major industries, whose products were in every home. But much of the employment before the second world war was casual labour and poverty was common, creating many bitter struggles. People lived in streets between docks, factories, warehouses and the river, and were separated from one anther by a maze of railways and dock bridges.

The closure of the Royal Docks and core industries, and the demolition of buildings has radically changed the face of the area and the lives of its residents. Through a fascinating collection of 200 photographs this book reveals a vanished world which few people knew.

This book is also available from Barking & Dagenham Libraries