Heybrook Bay, Devon

A  Naval  Hideaway.

What a great little place to be when in the RN. I was serving on the Boom Defence Boats in 1954/5. These boats were coal burning, and I was a stoker, so it was pretty hard work!  We spent most of our time in Pembroke Dock, but now and again we had to do some work in the Plymouth area, and... [more]

A very new Broadway

In 1962 my parents and I (12 years old) moved from Bristol to open Victoria Wine (later to become the Wine Market before reverting back to Victoria Wine). There were still several empty units awaiting occupation. I can recall most of the shops that were open, starting at the fire station end was James & Rosewell hardware, a ladies hairdresser,... [more]

My stay at Collaton Cross

I lived in Collaton Cross for a short while when my Husband was in the R.A.F. My surname then was TURTLE. My son Nicholas was born in the house in Collaton Cross. He was ill at birth and taken to Freedom Fields Hospital in Plymouth where he had a successful operation and is now a strapping six foot 3inches and very... [more]

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... [more]

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... [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