Nostalgic memories of Sharpness's local history
Share your own memories of Sharpness and read what others have said
For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.
Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.
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Displaying Memories 1 - 10 of 20 in total
Fri Jan 22nd 2021, at 8:54 pm
Francis Blackwell commented:
I joined the Sharpness Training school in 1965, in November, the worst time of year to start my training as the winter was drawing on, I did three month's training over the Christmas period, and I really missed home.
The early morning Training (Square Bashing as it used to be called) then a long run into the nearest village ( Berkley ) and all before ...see more
Always hungry and on pay days we signed for our money, then went to another table and gave it nearly all back.It took me 2 days to get their coming from the Isle Of Man, but it was worth it, making some great shipmates R553612. Alan Mckay. now living in Ellesmere Port Cheshire
i attended the school march/april 1964 and when i arrived they were looking for a bugler. we went half way down the cliff road to a cave in the side to audition.i had never played one before but had an ear for music and eventually got the job.it opened a few doors and made my stay at the vindi a lot better than most. i also remember with fondness my numerous visits to the mission where kate ...see more
Just wondering if anyone might read this who were on the catering course commencing May 4th 1959 and went on to serve on the P & O ship SS Strathmore. It was tough and many boys went home but I and some friends completed the course so would be nice to hear from anyone there at that time.
I was at the vindi deck from November 55.a cold bleak place .always cold and hungry but the friendships made then were binding although I have not met any of them again.the memory is still there .and I would go through it all again.i.houghton R645315.
joined the vindi earlypart of 1947,with a friend from north shields named bob Watson. we were catering boys . after doing early part of training both of us posted to the offices dining saloon, a cushy job. the first few weeks we slept in the barrack huts,then down on the ship.one officer ha d a delight in delite in getting you out bed at 3am todo pt.mainly if it was raining. my first ship was ss cherryleaf an old rfa tanker I served for 23 years befor looking for pastures greener.more later.
Not my memory, but fond recollections my father (Reg Lipscombe) used to tell me of his time on the ship. It would be lovely to contact any guys out there who may have known him. I am also sure I have some pictures of his time on the ship that I could share with anybody who would be interested. He was also friendly with a guy named 'John Moses'. A long shot but, but hey be great if anybody did recall them. Ray Lipscombe (Son)
Was on the Vindy from April to June 1954. First ship was MV Georgic out of Southhampton went on to serve for over 10 years with differant companys - I was on deck.
I remember the nurse, she was called Codine Anne - you got that tablet for everything. We went to the Berkley gospel hall Sundays. We got tea and sandwiches and that was a luxury. Being at the sea school I had food parcels from home. I was glad when training finished. I went home for the weekend and had RMS LOCH GARTH on the Monday. I did not mind that run - it was one of the best you could have - I enjoyed it.
Even tho' it was tough and the food bl...y awful, I still have fond memories as it changed me from a boy into a man almost overnight. The supper duty of pasting melted dripping onto a full sliced loaf with a paint brush so it could drip through is fresh in my mind! I joined the DM from there and sailed with a few ships for 6 years before I was chucked out for ship desertion in Oz - enjoyed that 9 month run in the bush. Starting to write a book on my exploits!
Maurice Tudor from Liverpool