Nostalgic memories of Southampton's local history

Share your own memories of Southampton 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 11 - 19 of 19 in total

Does anyone have any memories of my grandfather, William Robert Turner, who was supertindent of police in Southampton, also he was police chief when the Bargate was turned into a police station during the war. Any memories? Also my other grandparents, Mabel and Arthur Asher, who lived on Oakley Road, Shirley, does anyone remember them?
My grandparents (Reg & Florence 'Flo' Lawrie), lived at 6 High Street, above the old Alliance Assurance offices from the 1930's till late 50's /early 60's. They then retired to Netley. My grandpa worked as a messenger there, and he and my nan were the janitors for the building. My mum Myra, and Auntie Sheila both grew up there. I have very happy childhood memories of Christmases and Easters at No 6. I am 60 now ...see more
Does anyone remember the Scullards Hotel that was owned by Charles Scullard. My Gt.Grandfather Thomas Scrutton was the Manager, together with his eldest daughter Florence who was the Manageress. It was frequented by Sotonians and Sea Farers and it must have been a really jolly place to go. Later it was pulled down and the Odeon Cinema erected but that was also demolished. I think there is another Scullards now ...see more
We moved to Southampton in early 1950 just after the trams had stopped running - some of the rails were still there. Above Bar along with much of the town had been badly bombed in the war and there were many bomb sites on both sides of the road. Woolworths was a large wooden hut reached by a bridge across a crater. Gradually during the 1950s new buildings sprang up amid the bomb sites until the scene was as ...see more
Is there anyone of the Old Jewish community who has any information about the Hamer family? My grandparents entered Southampton about 1904, they came from Warsaw in Poland. I was born in Southampton at the old Spring hill nursing home in Hill Lane (1933), But having been living in Israel since 1955. Frank Murphy, please contact me, i would like to get in touch with you again. Miriam Wolff (Hamer) Israel...
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 ...see more
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.
My family lived at number 9 Westgate street. Walter and Elizabeth White and their nine children!!! A couple of the boys apparently built church pews for St Joseph's church, Bugle Street around 1887. One of the boys, Walter, moved to 14 Chandos street, Southampton, and then onto the York Tavern, Middle Street. they had a son Thomas White, who's son Walter went on to eventually took pub on ...see more
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 ...see more