Happy Days

A Memory of Burnham-On-Crouch.

I was brought up in Chelmsford in the 1960s, mum being Iris Evans, who grew up in Alexander Road, Burnham, her parents were Henry and May Deacon. We used to visit the grand parents and us kids would stay there for weeks holidays. Henry had run away to sea at 14 and travelled the world as a merchant seaman. We have photos of him on the Congo River and passing under Sydney bridge, had a great life. Then back to Burnham where he and his brother Bert, worked in one of the boat yards, also racing yachts on the Crouch and at Cowes, with the likes of Albert "Rock" Cross, my Great Uncle. They were also Free Masons and took an active part in the community. May was raised in Gloucestershire and worked in service like so many did then.

The Deacons would take us down to the river, for fish and chips, a bottle of pop. I remember seeing the red mine and the fancy yacht clubs, one of which Henry was a member. He also had a job as Captain of an ocean going yacht belonging to a director of Marks and Spencer, who would ask him to get the boat and crew ready when he wanted to sail to the Carribean. Some job huh? We have photos of Henry in the pressed, white uniform, hands on the wheel. They were kind, loving people and we loved going to stay. The Deacons moved to Cheltenham later and we used to stay there, going on coach trips to Bristol Zoo and the like.

Good days.

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