Turnchapel, Devon

A very new Broadway

In 1962 my parents and I (12 years old) moved from Bristol to open Victoria Wine (later to become the Wine Market before reverting back to Victoria Wine). There were still several empty units awaiting occupation. I can recall most of the shops that were open, starting at the fire station end was James & Rosewell hardware, a ladies hairdresser,... [more]

Plymouth College

Whilst this is the best known photograph of Ford Park Cemetery in the late nineteenth century it is also one of the best of Plymouth College (seen in the top right), because it was taken at a time when the school still owned all the land down to the eastern cemetery wall and had continuing hopes of extending the first phase... [more]

Ford Park Cemetery

The Cemetery, popularly known as Ford Park Cemetery, and owned by the Plymouth, Devonport & Stonehouse Cemetery Company finally went into liquidation in 1999 owing to the decline in burials following the opening of the two Council run cemeteries at Weston Mill and Efford and also in part due to the increasing popularity of cremation. At that time there had been... [more]

Bubbles up your bum!

Just look closely at the picture, sitting on top of the fountain was half the fun & excitement of coming to the pool. Water wings under my arms and the supervision of Granddad Russell I made my first attempt at learning to swim. Getting really daring swimming to the back of the pool, climbing out would lead to the open sea... [more]

BENJAMIN SIDDLE RM

My great-grandfather served on this ship between 1875/1876 as a Royal Marine marksman, having joined the RM's at 13 years old in 1870. He also served on HMS's 'Agincourt', 'London', 'Simoom', 'Thetis', 'Lion' and finally 'Mercury'. I have a very fine etching of HMS 'Agincourt', aground on the Pearl Rock, Gibralta and am hoping to locate prints/photos of his other ships noted... [more]

HMS Impregnable 1879

My grandfather started training on this ship. He was in the RN for 19 years. I wish I could find out more about him. All I have is his service record, but no pictures.

St Mary Church, Devonport

This picture shows St Mary Church which extended from west to east between Edinburgh Road (previously named Dock Wall Street), and James Street. It might have been taken from the top of The Column in Ker Street. The long building extending from north to south was the ropery where my Aunt Blanch worked at the turn of the twentieth century. The... [more]