Shiplake, Mill And Lock 1890

Photo ref: 27166

At the age of 13 I suffered a nervous breakdown due to problems at home. It was decided by my doctor to send me away from home to give me a break. My mother took me to a mainline station in London where I was handed over to a lady who was to escort me to the home. On arrival at the Andrew Duncan home, I along with other new boys were introduced to the staff by the matron. My bed was one of four on ...see more

My father's family came from Henley but we often stayed with his cousin and his wife who lived in Memorial Avenue. It seemed so far away but today I can get to Henley in about 40 minutes - I remember so many things - bingo down at the church hall - the Italian family who lived next door - the Pannis I think, there was a daughter called Rita. My fathers cousin kept chickens which (being a townie) both ...see more

This picture of Shiplake Lock brings back memories. My parents moved into Shiplake Lock in 1952. This picture shows the old lock house with my father Peter Gough coming out of the gate. The old house where my brothers grew up had not electricity or running water. The old house in the picture was knocked down in 1958 when the current one was built adjacient to it. This was the one that I grew up in. My father tragically ...see more

My mother and I came to live with Harry and Rose Marner (my mother's parents) when my father was "called up" and it was decided that Tonbridge was not as safe. Grandad was the lock keeper at the time and mother went to teach at the Henley Infants' School until my sister was born in 1943. We lived in a house called Little Croft, at the end of an unmade road, between Street's Garage and the ...see more