Amersham ---- News, Views & Information

Amersham Prefab
Post World War II Temporary Housing

After the Second World War, there was a huge shortage of housing. Housing camps in and around Amersham were built (details here). In addition, in order to meet the housing shortage, the government introduced the prefab house. Nationally about 160,000 were built. They were built in sections in factories, which could then be quickly erected on site. In Amersham, estates of these houses were built at Finch Lane and White Lion Road. The last at Finch Lane was not vacated until the late 1980s. The Chiltern Open Air Museum at Chalfont St. Giles has restored a prefab from Finch Lane and a picture can be seen on their web site here.

The below pictures have been sent to me by Mrs Heather Webb who now lives in Somerset and who lived in the prefabs on White Lion Road from 1947 to 1957. The Site was called the St. Georges estate and comprised about 40 prefab houses. The pictures show Heather and her family and friends and they also show the type of construction of the houses and give an indication of the number on the site.

Picture Courtesy of H Webb

Picture Courtesy of H Webb

Heather in her neigbour's garden pond.

Picture Courtesy of H Webb


Picture Courtesy of H Webb

Picture Courtesy of H Webb

Heather being pushed in her pram by her neighbour Martin Miller

If anyone has any memories of living in the prefabs or pictures, please email the web master

Any additions, corrections, alterations, please email the web master


Amersham Home Page
This web site is Copyright and operates a privacy policy
please also see disclaimer