Corsham, High Street c1960
Corsham, High Street c1960 Ref: c162062
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Memories of Corsham, High Street
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Corsham & local memories
Read and share memories of Corsham and Wiltshire inspired by Frith photos
I have many memories of the wartime years spent in Corsham. My father was in the Ordnance Corps and served under Colonel Cripps at the Central Ammunition Depot. Up to about 1943 we were billeted at a farm but after that with a Mrs Harvey in Bences Lane and this is where my memories begin. I recall being in a queue for our meat rations and it starting to rain and feeling very secure and dry as there was an overhang that protected my mother and me. A few years ago I visited the Information Centre at Corsham. They confirmed that there had been a butcher at the place I recalled and that a carved piece of stone work from the original building was now incorporated in the new building. I was told that there was an abattoir nearby. I also remember going out with my mother, probably to Box Hill, as fighters raced around the sky. This was probably about 1945 as I was fascinated by finding pile after pile of tinfoil all over the ground. This was flutter that was dropped out of aircraft and as it fluttered down was supposed to confuse the radar tracking of planes. I have no idea whether it was British or German flutter. Finally I have one memory that is imprinted on me - almost literally. It related to the arival of American troops and the Invasion of Europe. Bences Lane at that time backed on to some big estate and across the land lay the Bath Road. I had had strong warnings NEVER to go to the big road but on one morning curiosity got the better of me and together with a boy who lived a few houses away we climbed the wall, crossed the land and then climbed the wall on the other side. We stood on the grass verge and watched hundreds of trucks pass by each carrying lots of GIs. Each convoy had jeeps at the front and tail and no sooner had one convoy passed then another appeared. It was in fact very dangerous as I have subsequently read that the drivers were under strict orders not to stop for anything. When my parents learned of my escapade I received the thrashing of my life. The only one I ever had, come to think of it. I was probably three or four at the time. As I write this I also recall going to school in Corsham probably in 1946 when I would have been five. It was a one room school with only one teacher and children of all ages. I remember having one of the older children teaching me to read. The youngest were in the front row. When my father was demobilised we moved to his home town, Wolverhampton, where I grew up until I emigrated to Canada in 1967.
Shared on 17 October 2009
Corsham, South Street 1907
Ref: 57802
34 South Street was my home from 1963 to December 2007! My grandparents Ellen and Lewis Edwards lived here along with my mother Anne and myself.
It is the second house on the left with the single window upstairs. (This was my grandparents' room.) I spent many happy years here and can remember playing in the street with all the other children who lived in and close to South Street and being most suprised when a car came down the hill... Mk 1 Cortina!
The street has changed considerably as now it is difficult to park along the pavement. in the distance you can see the building which I believe must be something to do with the station which would be directly behind the house. I have also got copies of the deeds that came with the house stating that this was originally a field and permission was given to build these houses. I believe also, that the ones to the right of the picture were built slightly later?
Finally does anyone else remember the Friday night ice cream van which used to come down the street? What a treat that was!
Shared on 26 February 2009
Corsham, the Chapel 1907
Ref: 57808
I don't really have a memory but went to visit due to family research. Monks Lane has a plaque inside referring to my gt grandad Arthur William Humphries that lived at Broad Stone Cottage with his wife and children. His wife's family being Jones lived in Monks Lane, the Vellys, also Lindley so Corsham is quite near my heart.
Shared on 23 September 2008
When I went to school in the High Street next to the Royal oak I can remember the milk man with his old horse and cart delivering milk all along the houses along the cobbled stone path. You had the cobbler's, it began with K I think, then opposite you had the dry cleaners, further on down you had Johnson's bakery with the fresh rolls just baked. What a treat in the morning for a small boy. I was born in Corsham in 1956 and left in 1977. I live in Bradford on Avon now but Corsham is still my home.
Things have changed a lot. I remember the bus coming up the High Street.
Lord's toy shop, what a place that was, down the back for all the toys. Then you had Smith's for the school uniforms, as I went to Corsham Boys School I had a wide range of friends, some I still see to this day. Well I must go as the thought of fresh baked rolls has got my mouth watering.
Shared on 02 May 2008
I left Corsham in 1960 but although I haven't lived there for many decades I still consider it my home. I was born in a prefab in Clutterbuck Road, all my school friends lived in prefabs, even the Library in what was Beech Ave. was Prefab. the roads have all gone now, & when I returned there was a new housing estate where once were fields & allotments, I wonder if others remember, the happy times we children spent on our prefab estate.
Shared on 08 April 2008
