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Returning to camp in the 50s

C

caggyken

master brummie
Hi all
can you remember sunday nights going back to camp after a weekend leave.
The bullring was packed with service personal returning to camp .coaches all over the
bullring. I used to catch mine in park st to go back to hillsea barracks at portsmouth.
Many grown men in tears as they said good buy to their girl friends.some would not see them again as they would receive adear john letter latter in the week. I caught my coach
1954-1956.were was you stationed?? Did you get a dear john??
Come on lets hear the truth.
 
Remember the coaches left at midnight :( hours to reach Pompey :):), and not much leg room :(,
was early 60s :)
 
Our coach started by the Hall Of Memory, going back to Catterick , one stop at Doncaster, for a cuppa, arrive in camp just in time for breakfast, it happened for me in 1951. no 'Dear John's' I wasn't going out with anyone then
 
Hi
used to get to pompy about 4am just lay on bed till revalie. I think our coach firm was called unity. Driver used to stay at a pub in park st.
I doubt if he would have passed a drink drive test some sunday nights.
 
when ever I think back to my childhood in the 50's and compare it to today, I realise what is missing , uniforms! !! in the railway stations, cinema's, zoo's, shopping street's they were everywhere, a real part of life in the 50's was uniforms, army, navy, air-force, army cadets, boy scouts, guides, etc.
disapeared totally, along with self disapline, smartness, and good manners.
paul
 
My coach left Jamaica Row at midnight getting me into Gosport 5am then worked all day before going to the Mondaynight hop in the NAAFI. Tuesday was always a blur. God help us all if war had been declared between lunchtime Friday and lunchtime Tuesday.
 
In November 1951 I returned from West Africa , 14 months later I was posted to Hong Kong, during that time I met my future Wife and every 48 or 72 hour pass i got she would come and see me off about midnight Platform 7 Snow Hill station it became a ritual. We got married by special license on 27th Dec'52 a week before I left for HK so my Wife could join me later (you had to be married in them days to join your spouse and collect marriage allowance !!!) I think the 3X tram was still running then, later replaced by the 39 bus from Park Rd Aston, a quick walk up Martineau St cross Corporatin St and pass Greys to Snow Hill Station, a grand old station, Ah Happy Days Eric
 
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Paul, this should bring back those memories then.
4083 Abbotsbury Castle.

Colin
 
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Colin B, that pic certainly brings back memories to me, I seem to remember a large clock hung over the platform too ticking the minutes away till I had to go. Eric
 
Chris visited the thread, unfortunately it says ""photo currently unavailable" (probably because that thread is dated 2008/2009, before Postie took over the Forum) have been told there are prin ts available of a painting of Platform 7 showing the clock, will hunt around. Eric
 
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Eric,

Not sure which post you are having trouble with. I really meant the recent pics showing the clock in its present surroundings. But post #84 by Phil in that thread shows some views of it in its original position including one which is very similar to the view in that oil painting which we are all remembering!

Chris
 
Well i have found this 50s painting but the clock does not look in the correct position ?? I thought it was by the stairs. Eric
 
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although I have seen this painting a 100 times it still gives me goose bumps that lovely old station and platform with all its memories.
 
cookie, were you thinking about the clock in the entrance.?

snowhillclock.jpg
 
Brummie Nick Ah, that looks more like, almost showing the time of my train too ! That takes me back 59 years ( Dec 51 to Dec 52) Thanks Eric
 
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