The Empress

72 & 74 Thoday Street, The Empress

History of The Empress Tavern

1937 – 1946

Archibald and Constance Drew, managers

Their daughter was Constance who married Frederick Charles Ockenden. PM sent this note in 2025:

OCKENDEN Frederick Charles: 25 years old. Born 12 May 1915 in Yiewsley, West Drayton, Middlesex. Husband of Dorothy Florence Ockenden (nee Drew), they married in April 1941 in Cambridge shortly before he was lost.  Son of James Ockenden and Beatrice Maud Ockenden (nee Davis) of London. James, originally from Epsom was a very highly regarded and consistent professional golfer, winner of the 1923 French Open, and a veteran of the first world war. Beatrice passed away in 1930. James remarried Annie Aburrow in 1933, and died in 1949. Older Brother James George Ockenden was also a Professional Golfer who emigrated to South Africa. Sgt Ockenden died in May 1941 while serving in a Wellington bomber. See

https://losses.internationalbcc.co.uk/loss/221068/

In the 1939 England & Wales Register Frederick is living in Great College Street, St Pancras, London, with the Drew family and his future wife, and is working as a Barman in a Public House. Dorothy’s parents, Archibald and Constance are listed as Manager and Manageress of a Public House. Before (from 1937) and after the war, until 1946, they are on the electoral roll at ‘The Empress’, 72 Thoday Street, Cambridge

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1962

The Empress Tavern