Etched in Community Memory...... In the very early part of the 2nd World War Harwich had to 'deal with injured survivors from ships sunk by magnetic mines'(per L T Weaver).The Dutch liner 'Simon Bolivar' was sunk not far from Harwich on 18th Nov.1939.Then,further on,came the event which many locals vividly remember...the sinking of the destroyer H.M.S.Gypsy,after hitting a mine which had been laid in the harbour itself.A disaster which has since formed part of the collective memory of the local community: G.S.Dutton recalled:'when I go on the Harwich sea front I can still hear the screams of the drowning sailors of H MS Gypsy'. Hilda Woods has also recorded her memories of this time: 'I can well remember that because I was in bed and there was this explosion.I got into my clothes and we all rushed up Bay Road,and there was crowds and we could see this boat blazing.There was crowds all along the sea front...it created a lot of light...seeing this boat blazing.We stayed there for about an hour,then went back home.'And something Lydia Whitnall-former licensee of the 'British Flag'pub in Harwich-will never forget is the crew of the Gypsy coming into the pub shortlyb efore that fateful event...... Add Me Service

Mr E.Dobson---Upper Dovercourt in former times. I was born at 35 West Street,Harwich,in 1921(May)the 2nd of 3 brothers.Around 1924-25 we moved to 19 Sea Gardens (now 665 Main Road)and then next door to the house my father had built by Bradford & Sons of Mayes lane,Ramsey.Our garden was some 300x35 feet and ran down to Long Meadows.I can recall cows from Gross's farm being driven across the Green down the lane which ran down beside the market garden owned by Mr Sparrow. At the east end of Sea Gardens was Mr Balls Smithy...now has a bunglaow on it,after the Smithy was an open plot of land on which a large hoarding with posters on for the Palace,Empire and Regent Cinemas. To the east of our long garden were 2 privately owned gardens,then a large number of allotments that went as far as the lane to Long Meadows. From Mr balls,going east,there was no pavement,just a Hawthorn hedge until a house called,I think,'Caswell',and then a row of cottages (still there)and further still another Market Garden (forget the name)then came 'Old Timbers',then 2 or 3 old cottages-Mr & Mrs Harris lived in one and the other(rather nicer)belonged to Mr Woolf the Stone mason. Then Church Cottages and at the east end of those was another Blacksmith shop...never knew his anme..at the top of Blacksmiths Lane.Again,no pavement in those days and we often stopped on the way to Upper Dovercourt Infants School to watch horses being reshod and sometimes a new rim being fitted to the wheel of a haywain. I can recall the farm at Tollgate and later the huge barn being used as a repair garage by mr Dawdry...........

Norman Buck: Nautical days....... Harwich was a very thriving town during World War 2,I was stationed here on Minesweepers and Hunt Class Destroyers.We had 4 pubs in George Street,Harwich,and we had more pubs per square mile than any other town...all made a living because Harwich had an Army depot at the Transit Camp,and a large number of Naval ships running out of this port. H M S Ganges was back until it closed in 1976.Naval ships were gradually taken out of service and put in 'mothball' up river;over a hundred vessels had to be kept in good condition,the upper decks and installations of guns annd exposed parts wrere put in web like netting and sprayed to completely keep the weather out. I came back from china station,from troopship 'dunena' having been on HMS Cossack.I was sent to Reserve fleet Harwich 1949-50.The 'Mull of Kintyre' and 'HMS Woolwich' were then Depot ships at that time.I had a Lt.Brown in charge of all the work below decks,to descale and keep cable and locker free from rust which was a full time job!....Harwich had a lot of people in various jobs and at that time the forces and local people had more prosperity than we here to-day.We have lost a lot of our shipping: when I came out of the navy there was very better work here.I joined the merchant Navy,we had 3 Ferries at Harwich;The Essex Ferry at parkeston, 2 passenger Hook boats,3 cargo vessels running to Zeebruge,Antwerp,and the British Red duster flying..........

Time for some sport with ken White:period 1929-40. The other night I was trying to visualise some of the town and I do recall a small grocers on the corner of Mill Lane,leading to Empire Road and the Cliff Hotel. Also on that side but further down was Saunders,Fryatts,Dewhurst(butcher),Sewells and the Co-Op.Before moving to 119 High Street,Dovercourt,we lived on Highfield Avenue backing on to the playing field of the Hill School for Boys,which I attended from 1930 to 1934. At that time my father worked for Rice the tailor. In 1932 he had just recovered from double pneumonia,bronchitis and pleurisy.His job at Rice's didn't pay him enough to maintain his family so he sold the house and opened up a tailors and outfitters shop at 119 High Street. My father,Mr Percy Edward White who died in 1963,showed a great interest in the 'Shrimpers' and served on the committee both as secretary and president. Other members I remember are Mr Cain,a Trinity house pilot,Mr pascoe,Mr Howard,whom |I think did some work with the 'Standard' and a mr Salmon. I can remember helping my father make up games and signs for fetes,where money was raised to support the football team.I had a few games,both with the reserves and first team,and occasionally received some small financial rewards for my efforts. Players that I can recall are Billy Self(goalkeeper),the Caesar brothers in defence,Tully Day(centre-forward)and Reg Howlett who also worked for my father. The grandstand probably held about 200 spectators and a covered stand just to the left of the entrance from the main Road was erected during my father's period in office. There was also a shed which acted as a refreshment outlet and I think Mr Howard was responsible for this operation along with supporters' wives. I used to walk round the ground selling chocolates,various sweets and cigarettes and I received one shilling and eight pence for every pound I sold,that is a penny in the shilling. On a good day when the Charlton Athletic reserves played the 'Shrimpers' I could earn over five shillings,a veritable fortune in those days. Trying to remember individual matches is almost out of the question but one incident does stand out in my mind. I think we were playing Lowestoft and were leading 12-0. Billy Self had had little to do,so was taking to some of the spectators,so was quite surprised when the opposing team scored behind his back.....!!!!!!!

Times When......with Mrs S Good and Eileen Woodford I recall we had no TV,but listened to the radio and played board games or read books. My mum used flat irons (not electric)she used to make rugs. Washed clothes by hand,then used a mangle.Also used gas light or oil lamps:Mrs S Good. I can remember the flood(1953).I was a pupil at Harwich Main Road School,but was lucky enough to live in Manor Road,so only my School life was interupted.I ended up at Parkeston School until we could return to our own school. When the Sir Anthony Deane was opened I was one of the first pupils to attend it. After coming from the Hill School the new school seemed massive: Eileen Woodford