Devonport memories
Here are memories of Devonport and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Devonport or a Devonport photo.
Service on HMS Impregnable 1877-1879
My grandfather, Uriah Hazlehurst, served on this ship from 2nd April 1877 until 2nd March 1879 with a short break between 6th to 19th August 1878 when he was with 'R. Adelaide'. He went on to serve in the RN until 4th October 1895 when he was discharged to Plymouth Hospital.
Great-Grandfather's Naval Service
My great-grandfather John King served as an AB on HMS 'Royal Adelaide' from 11th August 1867 to 12th May 1868. His service record was marked 'Shore C S expired'. He joined the navy in 1856 aged 15 years and 9 months. This marked the end of his first term of 10 years as an adult in the service. He was from Kilrush, Co. Clare in Ireland and and I have a record of his marriage on September 14th 1867 in St Senan's R C Church in Kilrush. The marriage record states he was a seaman on board HMS Liverpool but his navy record shows he was discharged from the Liverpool on 10 August then joined the 'Royal Adelaide' on the 11th August. Upon his discharge from the 'Adelaide' his record shows the only break in service over his career spanning 34 years as he then joined HMS 'Frederick William' on 2nd July 1868. I am puzzled by the discrepancy in the dates but I wonder if his service on the... Read more
The Hamoaze, Not Hamvaze!
When I lived in Plymouth as a child in the 50s and 60s I went to a primary school at Keyham, part of Devonport. The bus would drop me off near Camel`s Head Creek, which was part of The Hamoaze. In those days the water came right up to the main road and you could walk along and look out. It was known as Perfume Corner due to the stink from the sewage works. There was a pub called The Camel`s Head, with a garden. None of this remains as the M.O.D. filled the whole lot in, and another part of the landscape was lost forever. I never saw pre-war Devonport but your pictures of Fore St. show a vibrant and thriving scene. Yes, it is nostalgia but I can`t help but think it looked so much more attractive and interesting. Sadly our high streets these days are tatty and cheap in the main.
Thomas Tench
I have a copy of my Grandfather's Naval records and it shows he served on the Royal Adelaide in 1887 as a B1C(whatever that means). His name was Thomas Tench. As I have never seen a photo of him I keep hoping a crew photo from one of his ships will turn up. This was his second posting.
BENJAMIN SIDDLE RM
My great-grandfather served on this ship between 1875/1876 as a Royal Marine marksman, having joined the RM's at 13 years old in 1870. He also served on HMS's 'Agincourt', 'London', 'Simoom', 'Thetis', 'Lion' and finally 'Mercury'. I have a very fine etching of HMS 'Agincourt', aground on the Pearl Rock, Gibralta and am hoping to locate prints/photos of his other ships noted above. I served with the RN, from 1952, to 1961, with immense pride and pleasure as an L/SA (v).
HMS Impregnable 1879
My grandfather started training on this ship. He was in the RN for 19 years. I wish I could find out more about him. All I have is his service record, but no pictures.
St Mary Church, Devonport
This picture shows St Mary Church which extended from west to east between Edinburgh Road (previously named Dock Wall Street), and James Street. It might have been taken from the top of The Column in Ker Street. The long building extending from north to south was the ropery where my Aunt Blanch worked at the turn of the twentieth century. The Dock Yard wall, which remains to this day, can be seen as if extending from the northwest and southwest gables of the church. This is deceptive as the width of the old cobbled street was between the two. I, as well as my five siblings, was borne in 28 Edinburgh Road, this was approximately at the point where the wall was breached for the Yard extension after the war. I believe the breach was roughly in line with Duncan Street and Northbrook Street, both of which ran at right angles to Edinburgh Road. There was a high level board on the wall, signed by Colin Campbell, the then Town... Read more
HMS Impregnable 1891
My great grandfather, George Jarvis, served on HMS Impregnable in Devonport according to the 1891 census at the age of 16. He went on to become a petty officer in the Navy.
George Henry Finch
My Great, Great Grandfather served on this ship several times as a signalman ending in 1889 as 2nd Yeoman.
Ian Finch, Truro, Cornwall
ifinch@brannel.cornwall.sch.uk
HMS Imgregnable
My Great Great Grandfather Frederick George Rivers served and trained on this ship from 1886 to 1887, and trained on another 5 ships in Devonport between 1881 and 1891. Including HMS Duke of Wellington, HMS Rupert and HMS Northampton. He served on his first ship at the age of 16.
Great Great Grandad Was on HMS Royal Adelaide
Amazed I've found this. My great great grandad Samuel Jeffery served on this ship as a Ward R steward (1871 Census). Seeing this ship really helps to bring history to life.
Grandfathers Ship
My Grandfather John Collier served onboard, 6 different occasions between 1874 and 1886.
Memories of Devon
Memories of St Budeaux
Thanks to everyone who bought my recent book about St Budeaux.I am currently compiling a new book called, 'Memories of St Budeaux' which will include other people's memories and photos of St Budeaux.If anyone has any old stories about the area and would like them to be included,please contact me at derek.tait@virgin.net or by post at Derek Tait,PO Box 7,West Park,Plymouth,PL5 2YS.
Thanks.
Bubbles up Your Bum!
Just look closely at the picture, sitting on top of the fountain was half the fun & excitement of coming to the pool. Water wings under my arms and the supervision of Granddad Russell I made my first attempt at learning to swim. Getting really daring swimming to the back of the pool, climbing out would lead to the open sea where only the brave would swim. The pool was accessed by steps from the road at the front of the Hoe. Walking down the damp steps we then divided into boys and girls changing rooms from where we emerged into the circular concrete pool. There were 2 four layer fountains to climb and sit on and a central taller fountain where the 'teenagers' hung out. Without the luxury of an indoor swimming pool we went from Sailsbury Road, Primary School, I can only think by pd2 Bristol bus, for our swimming lessons. After the time in the pool we dressed and walked through the passage way by the pool... Read more
Ford Park Cemetery
The Cemetery, popularly known as Ford Park Cemetery, and owned by the Plymouth, Devonport & Stonehouse Cemetery Company finally went into liquidation in 1999 owing to the decline in burials following the opening of the two Council run cemeteries at Weston Mill and Efford and also in part due to the increasing popularity of cremation. At that time there had been upwards of 250,000 pesons interred in the Cemetery but there was still room for some 10,000 more.
A charity - The Ford Park Cemetery Trust - was formed in 2000 to run the over-grown and vandal damaged cemetery and has now, with the help of a very willing team of volunteers and a dedicated ground staff, completely cleared the grounds, replanted trees, restored many of the graves and turned this once ailing eyesore into a fully functioning cemetery with annual burials numbering some 50. There is also a fund-raising drive underway to restore the old Victorian Chapel and turn the new chapel into a heritage centre.
Plymouth College
Whilst this is the best known photograph of Ford Park Cemetery in the late nineteenth century it is also one of the best of Plymouth College (seen in the top right), because it was taken at a time when the school still owned all the land down to the eastern cemetery wall and had continuing hopes of extending the first phase of the Oxbridge style complex to both sides and forward as well as further developing the prominent site into impressive gardens and playing fields. Regretably expensive civil proceedings arising from a sporting accident left the school almost bankrupt and all but the small residual cricket pitch had to be sold to speculative residential developers who quickly filled the huge site with dense terraces right down to the edge of the burial grounds.
A Family Visit to The National Marine Aquarium
This view is close to the Fisheries Quay and the area now known as Sutton Harbour. I visited with my family on a cold wet Easter Saturday to give my granddaughter Anna a day long tour of the National Marine Aquarium. The rain and hail poured down outside and we were glad to get into the cosy warmth indoors where we spent an entire day touring the exhibits. We stood at the panoramic window viewpoint on the top floor and looked out over the line of fishing vessels which are now a great deal more modern than those shown in this picture!
Anna's favourite exhibit was the huge tank holding deep water fish including sharks! I loved the "Coral Seas" exhibit with the brightly coloured tropical fishes. It is a truly educational experience with fascinating storyboards beside each of the tanks. Some of the glass viewing panels are huge and much higher than a standing man so the fish actually swim above you! I loved it and... Read more
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