Who knows? It is always possible that young Tommy Brown might have watched as a brand new warship, fresh off the slipway at Vickers Armstrong, slipped quietly out of the Tyne on its maiden voyage.
HMS Petard - Photograph: Royal Navy Archives
The year was 1941 and the 15-year-old from North Shields was anxious, like a lot others, to do his bit for his country; so anxious that he lied about his age and managed to talk his way into a job with the NAAFI.
HMS Petard, a 1,540 ton destroyer, must have been a stirring sight as it made its way down river, ready for its commissioning exercises and a visit to South Africa before steaming to the Mediterranean for active service…and a place in history.
Within a year Tommy would also be on active service as a canteen assistant aboard the same vessel, HMS Petard, and destined to become part of a remarkable story that would change the course of the Second World War.
Continue reading HMS Petard – The Real Enigma Heroes
Following yesterday’s feature and Jack Hair’s excellent account of the West Stanley Colliery Disaster in the North East of England. Here’s a poem written by Bill Norton about the event. This was Bill’s winning entry in a competition arranged by Jack in honour of William Hair.
We’ve taken the liberty of adding a few of Jack’s photos and a soundtrack to this video reading of the poem “The Price of Coal”.
I hope you enjoy
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Today marks the centenary of the West Stanley Colliery Disaster, better known locally as the Burns Pit Disaster. 168 men and boys lost their lives that day on the 16th February 1909, when underground explosions literally shook the town and changed local families lives forever.
As I live only a few miles from the town I thought you might appreciate one or two photos of the memorial that was erected back in 1995 to pay tribute to those who died in the disaster.
Burns Pit Disaster Memorial in Stanley, County Durham
DLI veterans, 52-year-old Doug Mather (L) and 60-year-old Norman Dick pay tribute to victims of the Burns Pit disaster 100 year ago today
As it happens, when I arrived this afternoon, veterans from the DLI (Durham Light Infantry) where preparing for a special commemorative event culminating in the bells of St.Andrew’s church being rung 168 times, once for each victim of the disaster.
My appreciation goes to local historian Jack Hair who has kindly provided a detailed and spine-chilling account of what transpired. It is quite lengthy but I urge you to read all the way through this excellent record which really brings the events of that day into sharp focus.
I know you’ll find it fascinating reading, whether you live around the world or just around the corner.
Continue reading Town honours 168 mine disaster victims 100 years on
We’re storing up the memories of a well-loved British institution that began its retail life in the UK when FW Woolworth first started trading in Liverpool exactly 100 years ago.
Despite a rather chequered history, Woolies (as it is affectionately known) was forced to close its doors for the last time in January 2009.
At the time of its demise, Woolies had a total of 815 retail outlets throughout the UK.
During its height in the mid-1920s Woolworths was persistently hounded by local authorities countrywide to open stores in their town. In fact, at one point there was a new Woolies opening somewhere in the UK every 17 days.
Continue reading Wonderful Woolies – gone but not forgotten
Can anyone remember when it really used to snow?
Having experienced the winter of 1963 and several that were almost as bad, the headlines and news bulletins that accompanied the snowfall in February produced a feeling of growing incredulity.
London at a standstill – not a bus nor a tube train (outside the Central Line) running, schools closed because the pavements were too slippery and after two days local authorities were flying the white flag because they were running out of grit.
Continue reading Snow Joking
What is it about old photographs?
It doesn’t matter where you find them – in the local newspaper, hanging on pub walls or on display at the library, they all say the same thing – ‘Look at me.’
And we do – instinctively.
We all share the same curiosity and fascination with the way life used to be and thanks to photography we have been bequeathed a meticulous record of day to day life stretching back to the mid 1800’s.
Continue reading Time travelling is easy at the Old Photo Forum
It’s been a while since I was last in touch with the Old Photo Forum membership.
Before I explain why things have been so quiet lately may I offer my heartfelt thanks to you for remaining loyal members of the Old Photo Forum. Membership numbers are growing steadily and many new images have been uploaded. I really do appreciate your continued support.
Now, let me explain why there’s been a lack of communication over the past few months.
Continue reading Old Photo Forum is back on track!
