View report page

Births.
The number of live births registered in Woolwich during 1950 was 1,911. After
correction for inward and outward transfers, the net number of Woolwich live
births was 2,172, being 332 less than in the previous year. Of the total births,
1,074 were boys and 1,098 girls. It is known that 2,018 births took place in public
institutions in the Borough, of which 1,183 concerned Woolwich mothers. The
birth rate was 14.5 which, when adjusted to allow for the differing age and sex
distribution of the population in various parts of the country, gives a birth rate of
14.4, compared with the birth rate for England and Wales of 15.8 and for London
of 17.8. There were 40 stillbirths during the year under review.
Natural Increase in Population (i.e., Excess of Births over Deaths).
In 1948 the natural increase in population was 954; in 1949, 932; and in
1950, 500.
Deaths.
The number of deaths registered in Woolwich was 1,311 and after correction
for inward and outward transfers the net number was 1,668, giving a death rate
of 11.2 for the Borough. This figure is slightly higher than for the previous year
(10.9), but in comparing the two it must be borne in mind that the rate for 1950
is calculated on the home population, which includes members of the Armed Forces
stationed in the area, whereas the rates for the last nine years have been calculated
on the estimated civilian population.
The adjusted death rate for Woolwich was 10.7, compared with 11.8 for London
and 11.6 for England and Wales.
Deaths of Woolwich residents in hospitals in the Borough totalled 333 (280 in
1949), whilst 312 died in other hospitals within the London area and 143 in hospitals
outside the London area.
Of the total number of deaths, 330 were from Cancer, of which 175 occurred
in men and 155 in women. There were two maternal deaths during the year, compared
with one in the previous year.
Inquests.
There were 50 inquests held on Woolwich residents during the year, and 301
post-mortems on Woolwich residents were carried out on behalf of the Coroner.
Infant Mortality.
The number of infant deaths has continued to fall, and during 1950 was the
lowest on record, there being only 53 deaths of children under 1 year. The infant
death rate was 24.4 per 1,000 live births, compared with 28.7 in 1949, and 27-0
in 1947, the previous lowest figure for the Borough. The Woolwich infant death
rate compares very favourably with that for England and Wales for 1950 (29.8)
and for London (26.3). The number of infant deaths is 18 fewer than occurred
in 1942, the previous lowest figure for the Borough. The number of deaths occurring
in the first week of life was 36.
Marriages.
There were 1,324 marriages in the Borough during 1950, of which 834 took
place in churches. The remaining 490 took place at the Woolwich Register Office.
9