Stockton High Street, c1957. Seen in this photograph is Doggarts drapers, opened in 1932, Clydesdale supply company, opened in 1938 and the William IV Hotel, opened in 1834. The William IV was classed as the second oldest inn in Stockton. The first being the Blue Posts Inn.
Picture Stockton Archive
A Pictorial History of Stockton-on-Tees
Interesting comments about Goerings car, something lurks in my mind about it and I am sure you are correct the Gazette should have a record on the event. Regarding the cars this was the hayday in car production in this country. Needless to say the industry threw it all away. I ordered a Ford Prefect from the Main Dealer in Stockton, they quoted me a two year waiting time. I never did receive the Prefect, too many backhanders at that time. I knew people that had had three cars while I waited. As it happens they did me a favour, because I went onto Ford Consuls Mks1-2 six seaters, finger trip control of the steering column gear change. Some people complained that it was only a three gear change but I found it fantastic. The Mark 1 was not quite so good it had three engine mountings that caused a bad vibration in low gear. So you see, not all cars at that time were perfect. I stayed with British cars until Honda brought in the Concerto when my supplier in Leeds told me once more there was a waiting list. I walked out and bought the Honda, never any trouble with that or the Accord. So you can understand why the motor industry of this country lost out.
Doggarts shop also stirs memories of when I worked there in 1944, and what happened when the Ministry of Food commandeered the top floor and basement of the shop. All this information is in Pictures Stockton and I have no intention of writing it all again. Can somebody please inform me what has happened to the old Stockton Libraries, Pictures Stockton – the original controller of this site? Do I now have to pay for this privilege?
Field Marshall Herman Goering Car In Stockton High Street, 1952.
As a boy of 10, I saw Herman Goerings car parked near Stockton Town Hall. It was a Mercedes 770K Open Tourer with toughened glass windows which when I saw it were cracked and had one or two bullet holes in them. I recall the glass was a very dark bottle green which made it almost impossible to look inside. I have carried out a recent www-search and found this car was one of 11 Goering owned, it appears this was the vehicle he surrendered in. During the surrender Goering – fleeing for his life from his own side – handed his gold-plated pistol to an Allied soldier Lieutenant Jerome Shapiro, USA, who was allowed to keep the gun he received from Goering on a road in Austria in May 1945. Herman Goering car toured Britain after the war raising money for Army charities, it was sold in London by auction in 1952 for the sum of £1050.00, it’s current whereabouts are unknown. I’m certain the Gazette would have carried this story and they may have photos of this vehicle parked in Stockton High Street.
There is a fair selection of vehicles there… Zephyr/Zodiac MK1, 100E Fords, Standard Vanguard, Bedford Van, old Standard flyin series and an early Rover75/90, with an excellent back drop of buildings with superb character.