MIRROR ’58

Newspaper’s staff at work 66 years ago

THESE wonderful photos of the Daily Mirror newsroom have been hidden in a loft for 65 years.

It is believed this is the first time the images have been published.

Taken by one of Fleet Street’s finest ever photographers, Bert Hardy, they show journalists at work in 1958 at our then HQ in Holborn, Central London. Bert died aged 82 in 1995.

The photos were kept in an envelope by his wife Sheila in their attic.

When she died, Bert’s family found the treasure trove including a shot of legendary agony aunt Marje Proops smoking a cigarette.

The photos may have been part of an advertising campaign that never saw the light of day.

Bert’s granddaughter Rachel Whirledge said: “We were given thousands of photos. There were many photos in the attic.

“We always knew they were there but we didn’t really know what was in the collection.

“Sheila’s first job was as a secretary on the Picture Post where she met Bert.

“Her life was spent looking after photos and she did a

PROUD Rachel Whirledge wonderful job. Nothing had been thrown away.”

Rachel’s husband David opened the envelope after the photos were transferred to their home in Leaden Roding, Essex, following Sheila’s death.

Chartered surveyor David said: “I immediately recognised Marje Proops. When

we looked at the whole

set it was obvious they capture a period of time in Mirror history.”

Rachel, a former picture editor who worked on TV Quick and Woman’s Own and who now owns a swim school, has very fond memories of her grandad Bert.

She said: “As a young child I didn’t realise he was so famous. I loved hearing all his stories.

“He photographed Audrey

Hepburn They got even flirt

“A few y to phot pretende was angr

“And d was part day befor

“He ha

As a young child I didn’t realise he was so famous. I loved hearing all his stories

RACHEL WHIRLEDGE RECALLS TIMES SPENT WITH HER GRANDAD BERT HARDY

n before she was famous. t on really well and she was ting with him. years later, in 1956, he went tograph her again. She ed she hadn’t known him. He ry about that. during the Korean War he of the Inchon landing. The re, there was a rehearsal. ad to get off the landing craft into the water first so he was in position to get the shots of the soldiers.

“But they dropped them off in the wrong place and he jumped in the water before being picked up later.

“Then they had to do the same thing all over again.”

Legend Bert had six grandchildren, Jonathan, Anna, Rachel, Chris, James and Adam.

Editor Jack Nener, right, with art director Willie Soutar, who left the paper in 1987. Nener’s obituary read: ‘He wasn’t a man to shrink from using two expletives when one would suffice.’ Film columnist Donald Zec. He interviewed Humphrey Bogart and Marilyn Monroe Sports editor Jack Hutchinson with colleague George Harley

Legendary agony aunt Marje Proops. She campaigned for assistance for rape survivors, was awarded an OBE and was the subject of This Is Your Life.

Political editor Sydney Jacobson with Bill Connor, aka columnist Cassandra. Jacobson was made a life peer & Connor was knighted

Women’s editor Ailsa Garland. She edited Vogue and Woman’s Journal

News editor Kenneth Hood Deputy editor Dick Dinsdale, night editor Brian Parker and editor Jack Nener

Picture editor Simon Clyne, right, with assistants Derek Frejbis and John Trievnor. Clyne renamed snapper Kent Gavin because ‘Kenneth’ was too long

CLOSE Bert alongside granddaughter Rachel