Ospringe, Water Lane c.1955

Photo ref: O25003

Hello, I and my twin sister were born close to Ospringe at Painters Forstal next to Mr Flites hop field. The date was 10 of September 1940. My father had brought my mother away from the bombing in East Ham. He was a dock worker and his work was vital to the war effort, so he had to return to the docks, leaving mum with all the relatives who were there to pick hops. Mum actually gave birth to us in a small farm house ...see more

Firstly, does anyone have any photos of a thatched cottage that stood up on the back, opposite Ospringe church, as this is where I lived with my parents for a while. My surname was Hogben and I can remember my mother and my sister taking me to Ospringe Junior School to start school at the late age of six. I was being dragged along, kicking and screaming as I didn't want to go. But I can't remember how long I was ...see more

Aunt Gladys had a lovely wedding at Ospringe church, bells rang and choir boys sang.  We had lovely pink silk dresses and everything to match.  Aunt Gladys married Wally Fever.  Uncle Wally's parents lived in a big white house in Sunnydale and we had a nice reception there.  They had two daughters, Ella and Jean, but Uncle Wally was killed at Sheerness docks - he was such a nice person. ( I have a photo of this weding if their is interest)

After a time Mother married Charles Gamble, we called him Pop.  He left the Merchant Navy and went to work on the Estate for my Grandfather. We got a house at Ospringe it was next door to a water mill. The water used to run down through the street, very unusual it was. There was a pond at the back, I did not like it as there were so many creepy things in it. But we liked living at Ospringe, it ...see more