Southampton, the Docks 1917

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 getting along these days as pensioners. Les May.   e-mail lsmy59@aol.com

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 was
a whole marble wall inscribed with a prayer Queen Victoria and her family, the whole building was propped up by wooden beams because of bomb damage.  My cousin and I soon became bored and sneaked out to visit Tudor House, I thought it was only opened for us as I never saw anyone else there.
I could go on forever about war stories, will send more if anyone is interested.
From an old Southampton, now living in Israel.
Sincerely  Miriam Wolff.

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 and one sister, his father George Carter was the Ferryman on the river for many years and it was the Carter brothers who founded S.A.R.C (Southampton Amatuer Rowing Club), we have lot's of pictures of the brothers in the club surrounded by trophy's and wooden polished oars. It was a big part of their lives and my grandad rowed for many years in lots of competitions at Coalporter's and the like, going all over the place in a bus with the wives and chidren (of whom my mother was one!) in tow. It seemed a really happy time and I can remember personally going to the regattas on Weston Shore and at Mayflower Park, listening to 'Tickle' doing an amusing commentary service, and the lovely apple pie my nan loved to buy from the big food and beer tents!  My nan and grandad actually met in Woolston at a chip van, how romantic!! they married at Peartree Green church, and were photographed in the Echo, as they left the church and walked under a formation of rowing oars!! My first memories of Wooston was going to the Rowing Club with my nan and grandad on a Saturday for a drink, and also going with my mum on the bus from Hamble (where we lived) to a magical  toy shop called Keith Paul's, it was my favourite shop, and I always came home with something!! Now I am living in Florence Road, in what was the farmhouse for Woolson. It was built in the 1800's and was here before any of the other houses, surrounded by fields the cows used to walk down to the river to drink! We would love to know what the farm was called, or any information on it at all, a photo would be amazing!! So if anyone knows anything please can you you let me know?? Leave a reply or e-mail me at tracy@tracythurman.wanadoo.co.uk Thanks.