Larne In 1946 48

A Memory of Larne.

Father worked at the Harbour for several years before moving back to London. He was a great rugby player and instigated the building of a Changing Hut on the Rugby Pitch from reclaimed materials and it was christened The Harry Rees Memorial Hut! Before this there were no changing facilities at all! He also helped coach the rugby boys at the Grammar School. Fond memories of Crawfords Grocery store (and the broken biscuit box below the counter), The very kind neighbours, Bill and Mabel McDowell, he was a RUC Officer and had a wonderful baritone voice. Agnew Hamilton, a batchelor, who owned the local shoe shop. he had established his business by cycling round the area selling shoes out of a suitcase; he had a very strong connection with the Clarks (Shoe) Family, and he became a much respected Magistrate. He would turn up every Friday night with steak for my mother to cook.... this was Wartime Rationing so not sure where it came from but we were always pleased to welcome him.
Trips to Island Magee in the little open boat, and the delicious lobsters the fishermen would give my father. We would travel to Belfast on the train from the harbour and the Station Master would lock us into our 'own first class compartment', very grand. Having spent time working in Stranraer in their harbour office we had connections with families there and I would travel, on my own at the age of four, on the ferry to spend time there. The ship's nurse would supervise me or if she was busy I'd be up on the Bridge with Captain Fergason,, who became my Honourary Uncle! Very very sad when his ferry, HMS Victoria sank in !953 in rough seas with terrible loss of life.

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