My Life In Fishersgate And Southwick.

A Memory of Southwick.

I was born in Southlands hospital in 1932.
In 1935 I moved into 14 West Road Fishersgate and (when old enough)went to Fishersgate Infant school.
In 1943 we moved into 21 Fishersgate Terrace, which at that time was on the corner of Laylands Road, it was demolished to clear the way for the rebuilding of Fishersgate.
I well remember playing down the canal bank and along the canal shore.
Before the war my dad and his brother (Uncle Jack) used to run the ferry across the canal to get to the beach and also rent out rowing boats by the hour.
I remember seeing the build up of landing craft etc in the canal prior to D day and them disappearing over night.
Prior to D day most of the coast roads had been blocked off with barb wire and certain roads had guard posts on, West Road had a guard post.
Living on the coast road meant I was allowed through the guard post.
Following D day all the roads were cleared and the public were allowed onto the coast roads.
In 1950 I was called up for National service in the RAF.
In 1951 I got married and moved to Southwick, I have lived here ever since.
I remember a very happy childhood in Fishersgate and had many school friends, sadly now not many left.
I have travelled fairly extensively to many parts of the world but have always been very glad to be back home in Southwick. C.J.Wadey