School of Musketry 1903, Hythe
School of Musketry 1903, Hythe Ref: 50380
Memories of School of Musketry 1903, Hythe
Hythe, School of Musketry
I used to live in Sir John Moore Avenue, Hythe. This small estate was built on the site of the School of Musketry. We went to Nova Scotia, Canada, to see my wife's family. While there, we visited a tourist attraction. I found myself at a bookstall, picked up a book that I liked the look of, turned it over to see what it said about the book etc. The book was written by Thomas Head Raddall, born 1908, in Hythe, Kent. His father having been seconded to the Canadian military for small arms training. I thought that was some coincidence. Trevor.
Hythe & local memories
Read and share memories of Hythe and Kent inspired by Frith photos.
The Army Firing Range at Hythe
The original site of the School of Musketry is no more, having been demolished to make way for a modern supermarket, but I remember using the nearby army firing ranges. My first encounter was with 39 Signal Regiment in the late 1960's for our annual "Range Day", and the routine was to shoot the old 762 self loading rifle at 300 yards. Then, the drill was to advance to target and shoot a further clip at 200 yards, 100 yards and so on. Finally, I was so close to the target, I could scuff the shingle with my army boots and make the stones hit the target! My last visit was in 1971, on a posting to a Detachment Commanders Course with 10 Signal Regiment. I had a memorable session on the Close Quarter Battle Range using a 9mm Browning pistol. I was keen to make a good impression as this was a rare opportunity for me, as a TA soldier, to train with the Regular Army. I spent several... Read more
Hythe School
Now 92, I remember Mr Molyneux the Headmaster, Mr Castle, Geography, and Mr Biggs who took us Gardening on a plot at the back of the RH&D railway station. We had our shool dinners in a shed opposite the school. Oh! memories
Small Armes School
My father W C Smith was QM. at Hythe From 1919 to 1940. Rising From RQMS. to Major QM when the school moved to Bisley. I was born in Bevan House, Sandgate in 1928, and lived at Military House within the barracks. I went to school at St Leonard's church school. I also remember seeing the Graf Zeppelin passing over about 1937-8.
Tony Wonfor
My father Tony Wonfor was born in Hythe in 1932, his parents John William and Hannah Victoria. My grandparrents lived there until the outbreak of the Second World War. Tony had two brothers, George and John, and a sister Letty. John died in Austria in action and Letty died young of TB. I also had other relations that lived in Hthye, now long since passed on. Tony my dad died on the 31st October 2008 in the arms of his wife of 57 years. And I, like my brothers and sister, still miss him. You can see some of his home movie and read stories that Tony made on www.archive.org and search WONFOR. Dad told us a story of when at about 5 years old his brother John saved his life as he was drowning in the canal, and a story about Laurel and Hardy coming to ride the train. And how my Great Grand Dad John William was on saling ships. I was 3 years when he died so I have no memory him. Hannah... Read more
The Magical Train
1959. My family and I stayed at Grandmother's house in Seabrook. I was 7. We lived there while Dad was waiting for his next military post. We rode on the light railway often and I remember being enchanted. I thought the idea that some people used the railway for their regular transport, to school or work, was magic. Through the Romney Marsh and Dymchurch station on the way to school. Years later, in 1963, we stayed there again for a summer and rode the Light Railway any time we could.
Deck Chairs
My friends mum ran the deck chair place just to the right of the picture in the 1960's
The Canal.
I was born in Hythe and spent all my childhood there. My brother, sister and I used to walk home from school along the canal bank. In the holidays we would take jam jars and catch tadpoles. In the winter, we would slide on the frozen water.
Activity Centre For Children in The 1960s
I can remember stayiing at a camp with wooden huts for children in the 1960s. My father died when I was nine and Notts. Social Services arranged for me and my brother to have a holiday. Although I was home-sick, I stuck it out for a week. My memories are a beach with stones, not sand, and it hurt my feet. Does anyone else remember staying at this holiday camp in the 1960s. I would be interested to know.
