Deal, Kent

Deal Railway Station

I moved to Deal when I was 3. We lived in a house owned by the railway in the station approach. My father was linesman on the railway. I went to the parochial school on London Road. The Headmaster was Mr Scholl and my teacher, Mr Rose. My father's name was Ernest Turner and my mother's was Lily. Her maiden... [more]

Sandown Castle

My memory of Sandown Castle was that by the time we were children the sea had washed it away and all that was left were flat stones. You had to pass it to go along the sea trail to the golf course at the north end of Deal. Also that, if I am correct, it is the only castle that Henry... [more]

St Leonards Church, Deal

My parents had to walk from High Street, Deal to this church on the coldest and snowiest day recorded up to that time for my baptism in February 1947. My godparents were Hazle Rennie (nurse at Deal Hospital), Ena Wilkins (ballet dancer friend of Mother's who lived to be 100) and Bob Eliot (a friend from the Second World War days).... [more]

Spitfire

About 1943 - disabled Spitfire landed 30 yards from beach opposite Golden Hind cafe and just beyond hotel on right.  3 or 4 chaps stripped off, swam out and pulled pilot from aircraft.  I hope pilot survived but don't know if he did.  Does anyone know?

English Castles

Built in c1538-40, Deal was equipped with three tiers of platforms for mounting long-range guns for use against shipping, and with handgun embrasures for an all-round defence capability. It is thought that Deal might well have been designed by Henry himself, as the King took more than a passing fancy to the use of artillery.

Around the Kent Coast

The castle was built in 1539, and came under the control of the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports. In 1648 the castle was captured by Colonel Nathaniel Rich for Parliament. The white building to the rear of the castle has been demolished.

Kent Photographic Memories

Deal is an elegant town, and nowhere is this clearer than in this view, taken from the Pier pavilion looking back to the town. The grace of the pier is matched by the best dresses and suits of the promenaders.