Nostalgic memories of Devonport's local history

Share your own memories of Devonport and read what others have said

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.

Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.

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Displaying Memories 1 - 10 of 22 in total

My wife's great great grandfather served on the Royal Adelaide
My great uncle served on the training ship HMS impregnable in 1920 Devonport before it was out of service 1921. When it was broken up and timbers used to rebuild and refurbish Liberty Store London. It was called various names in her past. Howe, Bulwark. Wendy Candlin
Hi My Grand-father John Ralph Cantell started his Royal Navy career on board this ship. 22nd May -4th June 1886. He served until 1908, had a few years off! and then was called up for WW1, and served from 1914-1919.
I love Devonport and it has changed immensely. I am part of the Beyond The Walls Project and we are trying to collate as much of that change as possible. I grew up in the 1970's and 1980's. I love old photographs as they tell me so much about where I come from. The Frith Collection is a wonderful image bank. I am also capturing images of my own. Please email my project at beyondthewalls@outlook.com for more information.
Devonport Column has recently been reopened. This early view was taken before the Workman's Dwellings were built in James Street.
Many of my ancestors going back to 1755 from the Lewis and Pearne families of Devonport worked as shipwrights and artisans at the Royal William Yard. My 5th Great-Grandfather William Lewis was a shipwright there from 1766-1769 and I am sure longer, but this is based on the Plymouth Artificers list of 1779. Likewise, John Pearne, my 4th Great-Grandfather was a shipwright there from 1755-1779 as was his son, Robert
My great uncle, James Thomas Bigrig, served on HMS Impregnable from 1901-1902 and also lived many years in Devonport. My mother, Doris Marion Tillyard, was raised there too as were many of my ancestors from the Lewis, Moore, Pearne and Saunders families. All the men were either in the Royal Navy or were artisans, shipwrights, masons and black and white smiths at Devonport
My great grandfather, William Collins, (born Morval, 1854) served on The Royal Adelaide 9 times between July 1874 and December 1889. Good to 'feel' a connection via this photo and other memories of folk who's own relatives must have served with great grandfather.
My grandfather, Brian Selwood was born to Alice Maude May Gardner in 1926 Devonport. He went to Liverpool in 1940, lied about his age and joined the merchant navy. He married 1951 to Gertrude Egan, they had a son Wayne Dennis Gardner Selwood and left for Canada in 1953. My great grandmother never left Devonport she passed away in 1992 at the age of 94. I wonder If she was waiting for my grandfather to come home?? ...see more
My great grandfather served on this ship, also in the 1800, amongst others until he was invalided out of the service in the late 1800's. I am amazed as I had no knowledge of his history or that he was at sea, like many of his brothers and nephews after him, until a few months ago. I live in Southern Ireland and knew very little of my mother's paternal or maternal history ...see more