Bygone Days Of Havant, Bedhampton, Warblington, Emsworth & Hayling Island."I lived next door to the Whittles from 1959 to 1964". "My mum used to tell me about all the troops. She was in the Wrens in Belmont Park during the war and her mum and dad lived at Suncourt in Park Lane. " Is Belmont House is still there or not now? I understood Queen Victoria would stop of here before her trip to Osbourne House on the Isle of wight . "I was born on Bedhampton Road opposite the school in 1945. Growing up the best places to play in Bedhampton were Bibury Park opposite where we lived or the fields behind our house. I crossed two fields to get to the garden gate of my grandparents. My Dad used to watch me cross the first field and my grandparents watched me cross the second field to their house. Must have been prearranged as we had no phones then. Also Hooks Lane Rec. ground when I was a bit older". "We lived at number 9 Hulbert Road....I arrived as an adopted one year old Son in May 1948. We moved into my Grandfathers house in Cosham as a result of his wife passing away and the planned Leigh Park Estate which was going to swallow up the fields and Bluebell woods which we could access from our back garden". "I remember an Anthony Whittle who went to Bedhampton Council School in the 40s.Also remember tanks and army vehicles travelling up Bedhampton Hill, one tank had “we go, we come back, we hope” written on it. I often wonder whether they did". |
I have memories of when I lived in Hulbert Road, Bedhampton, opposite my dear friend Shirley Whittle (now Trotter) during WW2. I am 1 1/2 yrs older than Shirley, (82 this coming June) but we had some good times, although the war was on. My dad was in the RAF & stationed at Tangmere & Westhampnet during that time. I was born in Portsmouth at the Military hospital in what was then a Services garrison (now Gatcombe Park est, I believe. My mums family came from Cosham & I have records of my great grand parents wedding at St Andrews, along the Havant Road, Farlington.
Here are just a few photos I've found from the photo album my parents had of our time in Hulbert Road Bedhampton during 2nd WW. From top left showing me by tree, next door friends ( Shirley Watson eldest with sister Vivienne). Middle picture myself at bottom of our garden (this is where the troops were camped) far right selection of friends attending my birthday.
Middle row left showing Shirley Whittle, cousin Ian and myself on sledge with Shirley's mum. Middle myself on style at bottom of garden. Right with Nigel Howe & myself, Nigel lived next door but one with eldest sister Jean, Nigel's younger brother Paul & baby sister Gina.
Bottom left myself with friend Michael Taylor who lived about 6 doors up from our house. Middle myself in school uniform, i went to Pendean private school at Waterlooville in Stakes Hill Road. Left our house 86 Hulbert Road, with my dad in field off of Hulbert Rosd which is now where Leigh Park estate was built.
Bottom picture myself & my mum taken one Christmas time I was about 7 (I think) i hope these may be of interest to your old Bygones of Portsmouth during the war years. Obviously at that time Photography was limited.
Mary
I AM A GUARDSMAN
|
|