Deal Railway Station

A Memory of Deal.

I moved to Deal when I was 3. We lived in a house owned by the railway in the station approach. My father was linesman on the railway. I went to the parochial school on London Road. The Headmaster was Mr Scholl and my teacher, Mr Rose. My father's name was Ernest Turner and my mother's was Lily. Her maiden name was Skinner. I had a brother called Brian. On leaving school I worked in Riceman's and also the sweet shop in London Road. It was owned by a Mr Corcoran. He also had one in South Street opposite the bus office where I later worked until I got married in 1962. I can remember a small garage being next door and think it was called Bourners. Opposite the station was a coal yard with an office. Freddie Wisdom (brother of Norman) worked in there. Next door to that the Eagle Tavern. Near the railway fence was a small cafe/cabin that sold hot drinks etc and think it was run by a Mr Vic Boar. He had 2 daughters, Sheila and Valerie. At the north end of Deal I can remember a roller skating rink, and also a place to play Bingo. I used to go with my mum and if you won you got a token. The more tokens you could get, the better the prize you could pick. My mother's family lived in Northwall Road. They were a large family, Gert, Nellie, Win, George, Fred, Sonny (he worked in Jobs in West Street), Lily (my mum) and I think one died. The wife of Fred is still in the same house in that road. Gert and I think Win worked in Lamberts Laundry for years. I can remember the photographer on the seafront and also a boat that did day trips to Clacton-on-Sea from the end of the pier. I married David Maxwell in 1962. His parents lived in Palmerstone Avenue, Marjorie and Monty Maxwell. We retired to Spain in 1994 and returned 4 years ago. We spent 6 months back in Deal and loved it but now live in Lincolnshire to be nearer our daughters. We do get back now and again but not often enough.