Anchor Hill c1965, Knaphill
Anchor Hill c1965, Knaphill Ref: K41025
Memories of Anchor Hill c1965, Knaphill
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Knaphill & local memories
Read and share memories of Knaphill and Surrey inspired by Frith photos.
INKERMAN BARRACKS 1915
In 1915 my mother was born in the married quarters at Inkerman Barracks, three days after her father was killed in World War 1. Her mother, my granny, had returned to her parents at Inkerman Barracks where my great grandad was the barrack warden. When mum grew up she married and lived in Mayford where I lived till I married a Royal Military Policeman in 1954. Stories my granny used to tell me about Emily Pankhurst being imprisoned at Inkerman because she fought for women's rights, and lots more stories about the place. My auntie lived on Victoria Road and was the village postwoman in the 30's 40's and 50's. I remember to get up the barrack path during the war we had to show our identity cards to an RMP on duty in a sentry box. My great grandfathers uniforms and medals (MFP/CMP) are in the RMP museum at Southwick Park, Hants.
Knaphill High Street
On the left of the picture just past the pub sign shows the old orchard. Shops were built here and my Father owned the one next to the pub. We moved there in 1959, so I imagine this photo should be dated 1955.
I Lived Here
I lived in number 42 between 1953 and 1957. My dad was a corporal in the Military Police at the time and even though I was very young I still remember living there. I remember the swing park at the end of the road that had a maypole in it and I remember the NAAFI. My dad was George 'Sherry' Sheridan and sadly died at the age of 78 in 2002 in Melbourne, Australia. My brother and I returned to Woking in 2001 and saw what was left of Inkerman and the few remaining houses. I would love to live in one of them now!
Royal Military Police
I was in the Military Police stationed at Inkerman Barracks in 1962. It's a shame most of it has gone.
Direct Enlistment
It was the 24th May 1955 when I arrived, with a number of other lads, at Inkerman Bks to begin eighteen weeks training that would "hopefully" see us depart with the somewhat doubtful tital of Military Policemen. My memories of the Depot & Training Establishment RMP are quite vivid, including the hallowed parade ground that bods like me were only allowed to set foot when under instruction (square bashing), then to B-Coy lines where after six weeks initial training one was learning to drive 15 CWT Bedford vehicles, also those awful 350cc BSA motorbikes (a very painful expeirience), one had to be competent enough to ride the thing backwards, stand on the seat with one leg extended in the air, if that wasn't enough one had to sit with legs over the handlebars then made to ride hands free. At this point in time, after being inspected vigorously, one was given permission to walk into Woking town-in uniform of course. At meal times for the first six weeks training each... Read more
Knaphill & Inkerman Barracks
I was born in Nursery Road, Knaphill, and left Winston Churchill in 1972 and my first job was with RFDGQ with my friend Maureen Truman. I remember Valerie, Tony & Noel, and the boss was a lovely gentleman but sadly I have forgotten his name. I used to hang out around the barracks & know those houses. On route to school via Beechwood Road, I used to walk along the top of the high wall of the barracks...sure we were not supposed to! The barrack land where we did our cross country, is now full of houses.
I Lived in One of These Married Quarters! 1972-1974
I moved into one of these houses in the picture (Iremember which one but not the number) while living here I worked for (I think it was called R.F.G D.Q) parachute makers and then was a driver for the home office prison stores which were behind the married quarters. I do remember our house had a bathroom added on at the back ( it was so cold in the winter and with all the condensation you had to sit in thre bath holding an umbrella!) but the quarters opposite had a bath in the kitchen and only an outside toilet! They were lovely houses if only they could have had some money spent on them. I also remember picking lovely blackberries we picked on the derelict land at the back.
Inkerman Barracks - A Demolition Too Far!
The photo shows the remaining houses on Barrack Road; another survivor being Wellington Terrace in adjacent Raglan Road. Local opposition to the demolition of this historic site was ignored and the wrecking ball was sent to work and I for one was deeply saddened. There was probably never much hope for the original massive buildings although it had been hoped that the great clock tower might be saved as it was a local landmark but what should never have happened was the demolition of all the other houses in Barack Road. Opposite the houses in the picture were similar but semi-detatched properties and on the same side of the road facing the playing fields were a series of large detached houses; again in the same style but exceptionally fine residences - presumably reserved for the officers. The gardens were quite large and always well maintained - as one might expect from the military top brass. At the end of the road could be found the Sergeants Mess. In itself an... Read more
Inkerman Barracks 1969
I lived in Inkerman Barracks with my Spanish sister-in-law, Josie, and her family for a few months and was married out of her house on 9 August 1969 and then moved to Guildford! Then my Gibraltarian brother-in-law returned from a posting in Malaysia, he was in RAOC, and we used to visit frequently with our baby son and I also remember picking fat blackberries there. Josie kept the little house spick and span and as neat as a pin and took it all in her stride. She is in Canada now, widowed, and 80ish now. I have forwarded this page and hope at least one of her four children add to it!!
Inkerman Barracks 1948 ToJanuary 1951
My father was a military policeman and we lived at no 17 MSQ (just around the corner from these houses and now known as Wellington Terrace.) At the front of our house there were woods across the road and a small shop. The woods stretched right over to Hermitage Road and were a joy for 7 year olds to play in.
Behind the houses were a large storage depot and more woods which were a short cut to the NAAFI shop and garrison church. I used to walk to school along the barrack path, firstly to the infants in St Johns and later to the junior which had entrances on both Hermitage Road and Barrack Path. We left in January 1951 to go to Kenya.
Now that I am retired I have decided to visit all my childhood places. Went to Woking in May 2008. Walking along Raglan Road was a lot like entering a time warp! The old houses were still there and those around the corner where... Read more
Married Quarters, Inkerman Road
My dad was a military policeman stationed at Inkerman Barracks and we lived at No. 1 MSQ Inkerman Road. It was great fun there, the woods over the road, next to the Victoria Cafe (all now gone). To the side of No. 1 was Herbert Crescent, to the back was an army stores depot and at the other end of the road was the Barrack Path. This was the way to St John's School. I remember the hill up to Knaphill and having my haircuts at the top on the right. We had wonderful times as kids climbing those 2 or 3 trees on the green at Herbert Crescent. My mum, rest her soul, once saved me from being hanged by a group of Teddy Boys! Then my dad chased and caught a man who had taken a little girl off into the woods. It was fantastic to watch my own dad jump on somebody and fight him! What is left there? I recently was on the M3 and took... Read more
