Went for an early morning run and was surprised how few people seem to be making an effort
Actually, i take that back. Took a bored Jnr out on his scooter this afternoon and very surprised how many people were out celebrating in their streets.
Great seeing communities and streets come together and socialising. Not so great seeing quite a few people forget about the distancing after a few hours booze.
My Grandmother, a nurse during the war and an absolute saint wrote a 'book' (collection of memories really) about growing up and her experiences during the war. It really is like looking into a different world and great insight into the family. The house in south Croydon she lived in (she was born there) had a fire bomb land in the garden. It was only after the family had managed to put the fire out that they realised another had hit the house and the roof was on fire. By the time it was put out there was significant damage to the house. It was condemned. They didn't want to give up the family home so an uncle in the building business and a volunteer army of friends did rebuild work and when officials came to see it knocked down they found it fully repaired. Her and my Grandfather brought that house a few years after getting married (for something silly like £400) and lived there all their lives. My Dad was born there and it's a very special part of all the Grandchildrens upbringing. She died there aged 86 only a couple weeks after receiving a letter from the Queen for their diamond wedding anniversary. Sadly the family had to sell that house after my grandfather died a couple of years ago aged 94. If ever I come into money I am buying that house back. They were the stereotypical people of that generation, born in the early 20s lived through the war and saw an immense amount of change on their lives. Things like these always get me thinking of them.
Unfortunately my copy of her 'book' is at my parents. Would have loved to have a read of it today see if there were any mentions of VE day celebrations.
Always knew you were a closet Palace fan what with living in Streatham and supporting Surrey
A lovely story and a shame your family had to sell a house with so many memories.
Incidentally, I'm joshing you about Croydon but my own late grandmother, who took me to Charlton when I was young, was born there too. Mind you her ancestors were all from a village close to a village called Charlton in Northamptonshire. That's my defence and I'm sticking to it.
Haha knew I would get that one. That's where the Surrey cricket connection comes from. Their garden backed on to Whitgift school grounds where surrey used to play so we used to hop the fence and get in for free. My Grandfather used to tell me the same story about a relative on his side of the family Albert Relf who played test cricket for England.
Luckily neither my Granfather nor my dad are into football otherwise I could have been Palarse.
You have an impressive cricketing pedigree it seems. A shame Albert had a sad end.
Just spent the last 5 1/2 hours eating sarnies, drinking tea, sinking a few pints and having a socially distanced chat with our closest half dozen neighbours. Longest I’ve talked to them for the 19 years we’ve lived here. We all enjoyed it so much we’ve agreed to do it all again (minus the sarnies and tea) next weekend. In 75 years time, will people be talking about the ‘covid spirit’?
My Grandmother, a nurse during the war and an absolute saint wrote a 'book' (collection of memories really) about growing up and her experiences during the war. It really is like looking into a different world and great insight into the family. The house in south Croydon she lived in (she was born there) had a fire bomb land in the garden. It was only after the family had managed to put the fire out that they realised another had hit the house and the roof was on fire. By the time it was put out there was significant damage to the house. It was condemned. They didn't want to give up the family home so an uncle in the building business and a volunteer army of friends did rebuild work and when officials came to see it knocked down they found it fully repaired. Her and my Grandfather brought that house a few years after getting married (for something silly like £400) and lived there all their lives. My Dad was born there and it's a very special part of all the Grandchildrens upbringing. She died there aged 86 only a couple weeks after receiving a letter from the Queen for their diamond wedding anniversary. Sadly the family had to sell that house after my grandfather died a couple of years ago aged 94. If ever I come into money I am buying that house back. They were the stereotypical people of that generation, born in the early 20s lived through the war and saw an immense amount of change on their lives. Things like these always get me thinking of them.
Unfortunately my copy of her 'book' is at my parents. Would have loved to have a read of it today see if there were any mentions of VE day celebrations.
Always knew you were a closet Palace fan what with living in Streatham and supporting Surrey
A lovely story and a shame your family had to sell a house with so many memories.
Incidentally, I'm joshing you about Croydon but my own late grandmother, who took me to Charlton when I was young, was born there too. Mind you her ancestors were all from a village close to a village called Charlton in Northamptonshire. That's my defence and I'm sticking to it.
Haha knew I would get that one. That's where the Surrey cricket connection comes from. Their garden backed on to Whitgift school grounds where surrey used to play so we used to hop the fence and get in for free. My Grandfather used to tell me the same story about a relative on his side of the family Albert Relf who played test cricket for England.
Luckily neither my Granfather nor my dad are into football otherwise I could have been Palarse.
You have an impressive cricketing pedigree it seems. A shame Albert had a sad end.
Went for an early morning run and was surprised how few people seem to be making an effort
Actually, i take that back. Took a bored Jnr out on his scooter this afternoon and very surprised how many people were out celebrating in their streets.
Great seeing communities and streets come together and socialising. Not so great seeing quite a few people forget about the distancing after a few hours booze.
Yup. Same round here. Sounds like a fair bit of partying going on which takes a bit of getting used to after six weeks of peace and quiet in the garden. You just know that inhibitions will be decreasing in inverse proportion to alcohol consumption. Therein lies the dilemma for golf clubs and other social gatherings as lockdown restrictions ease. The getting people to behave when they are sober but a few jars in and the hugs and cuddles will start. I reckon the Govt will be using today as a bit of a test case before taking any decisions.
My Grandmother, a nurse during the war and an absolute saint wrote a 'book' (collection of memories really) about growing up and her experiences during the war. It really is like looking into a different world and great insight into the family. The house in south Croydon she lived in (she was born there) had a fire bomb land in the garden. It was only after the family had managed to put the fire out that they realised another had hit the house and the roof was on fire. By the time it was put out there was significant damage to the house. It was condemned. They didn't want to give up the family home so an uncle in the building business and a volunteer army of friends did rebuild work and when officials came to see it knocked down they found it fully repaired. Her and my Grandfather brought that house a few years after getting married (for something silly like £400) and lived there all their lives. My Dad was born there and it's a very special part of all the Grandchildrens upbringing. She died there aged 86 only a couple weeks after receiving a letter from the Queen for their diamond wedding anniversary. Sadly the family had to sell that house after my grandfather died a couple of years ago aged 94. If ever I come into money I am buying that house back. They were the stereotypical people of that generation, born in the early 20s lived through the war and saw an immense amount of change on their lives. Things like these always get me thinking of them.
Unfortunately my copy of her 'book' is at my parents. Would have loved to have a read of it today see if there were any mentions of VE day celebrations.
Always knew you were a closet Palace fan what with living in Streatham and supporting Surrey
A lovely story and a shame your family had to sell a house with so many memories.
Incidentally, I'm joshing you about Croydon but my own late grandmother, who took me to Charlton when I was young, was born there too. Mind you her ancestors were all from a village close to a village called Charlton in Northamptonshire. That's my defence and I'm sticking to it.
Haha knew I would get that one. That's where the Surrey cricket connection comes from. Their garden backed on to Whitgift school grounds where surrey used to play so we used to hop the fence and get in for free. My Grandfather used to tell me the same story about a relative on his side of the family Albert Relf who played test cricket for England.
Luckily neither my Granfather nor my dad are into football otherwise I could have been Palarse.
You have an impressive cricketing pedigree it seems. A shame Albert had a sad end.
Thanks for that. Never known much about him. One of Wisdens 5 cricketers of the year 1913.
Sid Barnes is a bowler that comes up in conversation when they discuss 'the greatest of all time.' Albert must have been very talented to be mixing it with him for a place in the England team. Being elected one of Wisden's 5 cricketers of the year tells its own story that he must have been decent too.
Not just him though. It looks like his brothers and father played at a decent level too from that article.
My Grandmother, a nurse during the war and an absolute saint wrote a 'book' (collection of memories really) about growing up and her experiences during the war. It really is like looking into a different world and great insight into the family. The house in south Croydon she lived in (she was born there) had a fire bomb land in the garden. It was only after the family had managed to put the fire out that they realised another had hit the house and the roof was on fire. By the time it was put out there was significant damage to the house. It was condemned. They didn't want to give up the family home so an uncle in the building business and a volunteer army of friends did rebuild work and when officials came to see it knocked down they found it fully repaired. Her and my Grandfather brought that house a few years after getting married (for something silly like £400) and lived there all their lives. My Dad was born there and it's a very special part of all the Grandchildrens upbringing. She died there aged 86 only a couple weeks after receiving a letter from the Queen for their diamond wedding anniversary. Sadly the family had to sell that house after my grandfather died a couple of years ago aged 94. If ever I come into money I am buying that house back. They were the stereotypical people of that generation, born in the early 20s lived through the war and saw an immense amount of change on their lives. Things like these always get me thinking of them.
Unfortunately my copy of her 'book' is at my parents. Would have loved to have a read of it today see if there were any mentions of VE day celebrations.
Always knew you were a closet Palace fan what with living in Streatham and supporting Surrey
A lovely story and a shame your family had to sell a house with so many memories.
Incidentally, I'm joshing you about Croydon but my own late grandmother, who took me to Charlton when I was young, was born there too. Mind you her ancestors were all from a village close to a village called Charlton in Northamptonshire. That's my defence and I'm sticking to it.
Haha knew I would get that one. That's where the Surrey cricket connection comes from. Their garden backed on to Whitgift school grounds where surrey used to play so we used to hop the fence and get in for free. My Grandfather used to tell me the same story about a relative on his side of the family Albert Relf who played test cricket for England.
Luckily neither my Granfather nor my dad are into football otherwise I could have been Palarse.
You have an impressive cricketing pedigree it seems. A shame Albert had a sad end.
Thanks for that. Never known much about him. One of Wisdens 5 cricketers of the year 1913.
Sid Barnes is a bowler that comes up in conversation when they discuss 'the greatest of all time.' Albert must have been very talented to be mixing it with him for a place in the England team. Being elected one of Wisden's 5 cricketers of the year tells its own story that he must have been decent too.
Not just him though. It looks like his brothers and father played at a decent level too from that article.
Yes. Thank you. I'm going to have to do some digging into the family tree. My grandfather always said he was "a relation". Perhaps an uncle of my Granfather or a cousin of his father..
My Grandmother, a nurse during the war and an absolute saint wrote a 'book' (collection of memories really) about growing up and her experiences during the war. It really is like looking into a different world and great insight into the family. The house in south Croydon she lived in (she was born there) had a fire bomb land in the garden. It was only after the family had managed to put the fire out that they realised another had hit the house and the roof was on fire. By the time it was put out there was significant damage to the house. It was condemned. They didn't want to give up the family home so an uncle in the building business and a volunteer army of friends did rebuild work and when officials came to see it knocked down they found it fully repaired. Her and my Grandfather brought that house a few years after getting married (for something silly like £400) and lived there all their lives. My Dad was born there and it's a very special part of all the Grandchildrens upbringing. She died there aged 86 only a couple weeks after receiving a letter from the Queen for their diamond wedding anniversary. Sadly the family had to sell that house after my grandfather died a couple of years ago aged 94. If ever I come into money I am buying that house back. They were the stereotypical people of that generation, born in the early 20s lived through the war and saw an immense amount of change on their lives. Things like these always get me thinking of them.
Unfortunately my copy of her 'book' is at my parents. Would have loved to have a read of it today see if there were any mentions of VE day celebrations.
Always knew you were a closet Palace fan what with living in Streatham and supporting Surrey
A lovely story and a shame your family had to sell a house with so many memories.
Incidentally, I'm joshing you about Croydon but my own late grandmother, who took me to Charlton when I was young, was born there too. Mind you her ancestors were all from a village close to a village called Charlton in Northamptonshire. That's my defence and I'm sticking to it.
Haha knew I would get that one. That's where the Surrey cricket connection comes from. Their garden backed on to Whitgift school grounds where surrey used to play so we used to hop the fence and get in for free. My Grandfather used to tell me the same story about a relative on his side of the family Albert Relf who played test cricket for England.
Luckily neither my Granfather nor my dad are into football otherwise I could have been Palarse.
You have an impressive cricketing pedigree it seems. A shame Albert had a sad end.
Thanks for that. Never known much about him. One of Wisdens 5 cricketers of the year 1913.
Sid Barnes is a bowler that comes up in conversation when they discuss 'the greatest of all time.' Albert must have been very talented to be mixing it with him for a place in the England team. Being elected one of Wisden's 5 cricketers of the year tells its own story that he must have been decent too.
Not just him though. It looks like his brothers and father played at a decent level too from that article.
Thought most of us have got a relative who had been one of wisdens five cricketers of the year. ...
good street party in our road from 6pm. Talked to more people in the last few weeks than I had done in the 27 years of living in the street. Tonight was out there and someone came up from down road. we got talking, I asked him how long he had lived in the road and he said 13 years! Never even seen him let alone talk to him. 40's music through a speaker then out came a eukelela for songs. unfortunately as the evening went on some of the younger brigade started to forget social distancing so time for us to go in for dinner!
My brother is a historian and did a bit of research on the blitz a couple of years ago.
He told me how he interviewed a fella from the east end who recounted a story of a Luftwaffe pilot who landed in a tree outside his house. The fella went out to help him, but the German was beyond help and so the fella just stayed with him as he died.
Stories like this make it hard to get the champagne and bunting out, in my opinion. Obviously Adolf needed stopping, but it was clearly not much fun at the time.
It was also a very long time ago, which I feel makes it difficult for us to appreciate.
My brother is a historian and did a bit of research on the blitz a couple of years ago.
He told me how he interviewed a fella from the east end who recounted a story of a Luftwaffe pilot who landed in a tree outside his house. The fella went out to help him, but the German was beyond help and so the fella just stayed with him as he died.
Stories like this make it hard to get the champagne and bunting out, in my opinion. Obviously Adolf needed stopping, but it was clearly not much fun at the time.
It was also a very long time ago, which I feel makes it difficult for us to appreciate.
Completely agree, my grandfather was a tank-gunner in WWII in North Africa and died in 1997.
From all the years I knew him growing up he hated anything to do with war, wouldn’t even join the British Legion etc, just wanted to put the whole thing behind him.
For me, the best thing we can do for those that gave their lives is to do everything we can to make sure it never happens again.
My brother is a historian and did a bit of research on the blitz a couple of years ago.
He told me how he interviewed a fella from the east end who recounted a story of a Luftwaffe pilot who landed in a tree outside his house. The fella went out to help him, but the German was beyond help and so the fella just stayed with him as he died.
Stories like this make it hard to get the champagne and bunting out, in my opinion. Obviously Adolf needed stopping, but it was clearly not much fun at the time.
It was also a very long time ago, which I feel makes it difficult for us to appreciate.
As my grandfather said on many occasions, “it takes a brave man to go to war”. I never heard him say a bad word about ordinary German soldiers, “they didn’t want to be there anymore than me.” He was a private in the Royal Engineers and worked building bridges from Normandy to the Rhine. He couldn’t swim so he was particularly terrified of being shot at or drowning. He was also one of the first into Belsen, something my uncle told me years after my grandfather died. I have his six campaign medals and a hand drawn regiments book plotting his route, next t worth anything but means a lot to me.
My brother is a historian and did a bit of research on the blitz a couple of years ago.
He told me how he interviewed a fella from the east end who recounted a story of a Luftwaffe pilot who landed in a tree outside his house. The fella went out to help him, but the German was beyond help and so the fella just stayed with him as he died.
Stories like this make it hard to get the champagne and bunting out, in my opinion. Obviously Adolf needed stopping, but it was clearly not much fun at the time.
It was also a very long time ago, which I feel makes it difficult for us to appreciate.
As my grandfather said on many occasions, “it takes a brave man to go to war”. I never heard him say a bad word about ordinary German soldiers, “they didn’t want to be there anymore than me.” He was a private in the Royal Engineers and worked building bridges from Normandy to the Rhine. He couldn’t swim so he was particularly terrified of being shot at or drowning. He was also one of the first into Belsen, something my uncle told me years after my grandfather died. I have his six campaign medals and a hand drawn regiments book plotting his route, next t worth anything but means a lot to me.
Royal engineers museum in Chatham might be interested in seeing them
As children, easily up to the mid sixties, when a friend knocked on your door to ask your mother if you were coming out to play we would agree amongst ourselves to go to a 'bombsite' to muck about. 'Bombsite' was common vernacular back then.
Yes, we never associated the word 'bombsite' with its true meaning. It was just another word for playground, albeit not a very safe one.
also had a relative who fought in Burma. my great uncle Bob was over there. unfortunately he died before i was born. apparently he never talked about his experience. even with his wife who he married after the war.
The house I grew up in at Kinveachy Gardens SE7 was severely damaged by a high explosive bomb but not demolished. The bomb fell directly opposite and I’m guessing about 8 - 10 houses destroyed. A small block was built on that site opposite my house in the late fifties I think.
My late, elderly neighbour was a POW who worked on the Bridge over the river Kwai. I know he received compensation from the British government and I also remember him revisiting the site very late in life - free of charge - not sure who paid or organised that.
He (Robert) and his dear wife Beryl spent two weeks holiday in Eastbourne every year accompanied by Beryl's sister. Robert told me that that was his cross to bear. He once brought some forms for me to sign in a bid to surprise Beryl with a passport. This move failed miserably as they spent the next few summer holidays in Eastbourne, same location, same weeks and yes sis-in-law went along too.
After Beryl died Robert as an octogenarian began his travels, but not to the usual holiday spots. He went to India, Pakistan, Egypt, China and Russia. I recall one story where he was queuing outside the Bolshoi theatre when there began a slight kerfuffle on the steps. An announcement was made and his name was called. They had heard about this elderly gentleman travelling alone, and with that two beautiful women (his words) members of the ballet, took him by each arm and accompanied him to his seat. They sat with him, explained the meaning of the performance, about the theatre and even supplied him with food. Robert thought he'd gone to heaven.
I miss old Robert and his stories over the garden fence. I reckon I could have written a book about him had I'd listened more intently. He was brought up by an aunt having been born the wrong side of the bed sheets. His real father was a famous racing man whose name escapes me. Apparently his 'father' asked to meet him when Robert came of age, but Robert refused. Robert had never felt entirely loved and left his Aunt's home at the age of 14/15 to become a boy soldier. He went on to become a bandsman and even played in the famous Raffles Hotel.
Comments
Great seeing communities and streets come together and socialising. Not so great seeing quite a few people forget about the distancing after a few hours booze.
https://www.espncricinfo.com/england/content/player/19365.html
Not just him though. It looks like his brothers and father played at a decent level too from that article.
Must be one of the biggest if not the biggest songs for the UK.
Too many football flags.
sad sad little man
40's music through a speaker then out came a eukelela for songs.
unfortunately as the evening went on some of the younger brigade started to forget social distancing so time for us to go in for dinner!
Work it out.
He told me how he interviewed a fella from the east end who recounted a story of a Luftwaffe pilot who landed in a tree outside his house. The fella went out to help him, but the German was beyond help and so the fella just stayed with him as he died.
Stories like this make it hard to get the champagne and bunting out, in my opinion. Obviously Adolf needed stopping, but it was clearly not much fun at the time.
It was also a very long time ago, which I feel makes it difficult for us to appreciate.
Can get abusive if you don't know your own flag.
From all the years I knew him growing up he hated anything to do with war, wouldn’t even join the British Legion etc, just wanted to put the whole thing behind him.
For me, the best thing we can do for those that gave their lives is to do everything we can to make sure it never happens again.
I never heard him say a bad word about ordinary German soldiers, “they didn’t want to be there anymore than me.”
He was a private in the Royal Engineers and worked building bridges from Normandy to the Rhine. He couldn’t swim so he was particularly terrified of being shot at or drowning. He was also one of the first into Belsen, something my uncle told me years after my grandfather died.
I have his six campaign medals and a hand drawn regiments book plotting his route, next t worth anything but means a lot to me.
He (Robert) and his dear wife Beryl spent two weeks holiday in Eastbourne every year accompanied by Beryl's sister. Robert told me that that was his cross to bear. He once brought some forms for me to sign in a bid to surprise Beryl with a passport. This move failed miserably as they spent the next few summer holidays in Eastbourne, same location, same weeks and yes sis-in-law went along too.
After Beryl died Robert as an octogenarian began his travels, but not to the usual holiday spots. He went to India, Pakistan, Egypt, China and Russia. I recall one story where he was queuing outside the Bolshoi theatre when there began a slight kerfuffle on the steps. An announcement was made and his name was called. They had heard about this elderly gentleman travelling alone, and with that two beautiful women (his words) members of the ballet, took him by each arm and accompanied him to his seat. They sat with him, explained the meaning of the performance, about the theatre and even supplied him with food. Robert thought he'd gone to heaven.
I miss old Robert and his stories over the garden fence. I reckon I could have written a book about him had I'd listened more intently. He was brought up by an aunt having been born the wrong side of the bed sheets. His real father was a famous racing man whose name escapes me. Apparently his 'father' asked to meet him when Robert came of age, but Robert refused. Robert had never felt entirely loved and left his Aunt's home at the age of 14/15 to become a boy soldier. He went on to become a bandsman and even played in the famous Raffles Hotel.
RIP Robert and Beryl