Southampton memories
Here are memories of Southampton and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Southampton or a Southampton photo.
Above Bar Southampton
We moved to Southampton in early 1950 just after the trams had stopped running - some of the rails were still there. Above Bar along with much of the town had been badly bombed in the war and there were many bomb sites on both sides of the road. Woolworths was a large wooden hut reached by a bridge across a crater. Gradually during the 1950s new buildings sprang up amid the bomb sites until the scene was as in the 1960 picture. The Odeon and building next to it had survived the war but most of the rest was new. Owing to shortages of building materials after the war some of the new buildings were not of the best quality and now 50 plus years later some of their exteriors are already showing their age.
Scullards Hotel
Does anyone remember the Scullards Hotel that was owned by Charles Scullard. My Gt.Grandfather Thomas Scrutton was the Manager, together with his eldest daughter Florence who was the Manageress. It was frequented by Sotonians and Sea Farers and it must have been a really jolly place to go. Later it was pulled down and the Odeon Cinema erected but that was also demolished. I think there is another Scullards now built on another site. Any old photographs of Scullards would be good to see if there are any about.
Henbest
Did anyone know my late grandma Dorothy who was married to Mr Edwards in 1940, living at 39 or 36 Ewell Road, Eling, who at that address gave birth to twin boys registered Edwards, Micheal and Mervyn who was my dad.
The White Family of 9 Westgate Street.
My family lived at number 9 Westgate street.
Walter and Elizabeth White and their nine children!!!
A couple of the boys apparently built church pews for St Joseph's church, Bugle Street around 1887. One of the boys, Walter, moved to 14 Chandos street, Southampton, and then onto the York Tavern, Middle Street. they had a son Thomas White, who's son Walter went on to eventually took pub on with his wife Elizabeth.
I am doing our family tree together with my Father, Arthur ( SAINSBURY), and photos of Westgate Street prior to the one's on this web page would be of great interest. Likewise, any books that we could obtain re this Street would be great.
Does anyone have any stories/ knowledge of this family here or when they moved onto the York Tavern??
Be lovely to find out more
High Street
My grandparents (Reg & Florence 'Flo' Lawrie), lived at 6 High Street, above the old Alliance Assurance offices from the 1930's till late 50's /early 60's. They then retired to Netley. My grandpa worked as a messenger there, and he and my nan were the janitors for the building. My mum Myra, and Auntie Sheila both grew up there. I have very happy childhood memories of Christmases and Easters at No 6. I am 60 now and all the family have gone, but I still visit about once a year - I can't stay away.
Looking to Connect to Southampton.
Is there anyone of the Old Jewish community who has any information about the Hamer family? My grandparents entered Southampton about 1904, they came from Warsaw in Poland. I was born in Southampton at the old Spring hill nursing home in Hill Lane (1933), But having been living in Israel since 1955. Frank Murphy, please contact me, i would like to get in touch with you again. Miriam Wolff (Hamer) Israel...
Looking For Don Davies
I never lived in Southampton or have I ever been there However I was friendly with a lad who hailed from Shirley. His name is Don Davies if my memory serves me right. We were stationed at an Ordnance Field Park in Deepcut in Surrey during the year 1952. The unit went to Bournemouth in September and several of us were posted to other units of the RAOC. I went to Chilwell barracks near Nottingham and I think Don went to Bicester with several other lads. Don was a good snooker player and we held competitions in the sports room. Instead of going nearly half a mile for our breakfeast in the morning to the army cook house in Blackdown camp over the road, we just popped over the road to a lovely warm cafe which appreciated especially during some of the bitter winter weather. I have been trying to get in touch with other lads from my army days. It would be nice to find out how they are... Read more
George And Charles Candy - Hill Lane Orphanage 1901
I recently discovered whilst researching my family tree that Grandad George James Candy was not only born in St Helier, Jersey, but by the time he was 13 years old he and his brother Charles Henry (10 years) were living in the Seamans orphanage at 6 Hill Lane. I would love to know if anyone can remember the orphanage or has any knowledge of its history.
Old Memories
I was born in Spring Hill nursing home in 1933, corner of Hill Lane and Howard Road, and I used to take short cuts via the bomb site on the way to school, sometimes I would find a coin or two.
We lived near the Dell football ground and all Dad's friends would park their cars in our front garden while they went to the match. We could hear the roar of the crowd and after the match Dad would invite his mates in for tea and cake, and hold a"post mortem" about the match.
My cousin found her car blocked one Saturday and had to wait for the match to finish before she could drive home.
I remember at the tender age of 4 viewing from a balcony in the High Street the return of the Duke and Duchess of York when they returned from Canada. I believe that the Bargate was opened so they could drive through.
On Jewish Holydays we were taken to the old synagogue, there... Read more
Memories of Hampshire
Newspaper Round
It was my first ever job and I think I recieved about five shillings a week. The newsagent I think is still there in Victoria Rd. But I'm talking about 1947. The shop was on the west side of Victoria Rd and the last shop before the turning into Portsmouth Rd.
Leaving the shop I went along Victoria Rd and my first delivery was the Works Canteen at Thorneycrofts. Then up Obelisk Rd and some of the roads of the side Bedford Ave was one of those and the Pub was another customer as was Lancaster & Crooks. My last delivery was at the little group of shops above the pub and across the road.
Imagine my dismay when I proudly arrived home at 53 Archery Grove, with my first five shilling wage and my mum demanded two and six as lodging money.
My Family in Woolston.
My Grandparents lived in Oakbank Road, My Aunt lived in Laurel Road. I can remember going to work with my Nan in the evenings. She used to be a cleaner for Knaptons Bookies and Malizias Bookies (Bridge Road).
My Aunt worked at the Home & Colonial along Victoria Road, my Grandfather, Uncle & Brother worked in Thornies, and another Uncle worked in the Fruit & Veg shop two doors away from Claspers toy shop. Mr Clasper had a dog called Jip.
My Father was the Chief Projectionist at Woolston Cinema. We had many a great time going to the Saturday matinees. One Saturday the Brook Bond Chimps visited the Cinema.
They walked down the Isles all dressed in their best clothes. They handed out little rubber Chimps for all the Children. So exciting.
Then there was the Thornycroft Childrens Xmas party. Excellent. Do you remember Mr Pook who owned the Newsagent in Oakbank Road?? Also the shop on the corner of Oakbank road called Wallers. Opposite Spikin the Electrical shop... Read more
S.A.R.C, Florence Road And More....
Woolston seems to have played quite a big part in the history of our family, so it's appropriate I guess that as an adult I have ended up living here with my Husband!! It started as far back as my great great great grandfather Boxall, my nan's granddad, who was Chief Fire Officer for Woolston for many years, he was based in what is now the 'Old Fire Station' Doctor's surgery in Portsmouth Road, we have many photographs of him looking very handsome, if not a little stern and almost regal in his immaculate old fashioned uniform, adorned with many medals and badges. My nan Mary was born in Radstock Road, but the family later moved to Hamble which is where she spent most of her life, and her father Jack Bailey was an Instructor at the ATS air training college at the top of Verdon Avenue. On the other side of the family my grandad Ron Carter was born in Marsh Cottage in Hazel Road, one of many brothers... Read more
The Floatie
I was a teenager living in Woolston. A bunch of longhairs as some would call us ! I remember "The Woolie" pub having many a memerable night there...I would mention names but !! And the mornings we used to just get on the " Floatie " and ride back and forth awhile. As my gran used to in her youth. I miss my youth but i really miss "the floatie "
Hazel Road
My father was born in 1930 and lived in Hazel Road, opposite the Supermarine factory. He left in the 1930s as his father, who was in the Navy, was moved to Coventry to become a recruiting officer. At the beginning of this year, I had the experience of taking him back to his old road, and where is house used to stand is now intersected by the Woolston toll bridge. Whilst looking at the floating bridge chains, we were fortunate enough to bump into a gentleman who had worked at the Supermarine factory. I haven't managed to find a picture of his house on the street yet, but I have just seen an aerial image of the Supermarine factory after it was bombed on the BBC documentary, showing his house. I am hoping that somebody might have more images or information about this area.
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