My dad is the one on the left, Brian Surtees during his National Service with his friend Don in 1954, unfortunately I don’t know Don’s second name – if you recognise him or Don if you see this article let me know.
My dad was born and brought up in Stockton until moving with his family to Portrack due to his dad working for British Titan. He married my Mam and they moved into a house in Durham Road both working for ICI in Billingham. Dad was a HGV driver which he did as part of his national service and Mum worked in wages then in the Agricultural division. Towards the end of his life he resided in the Sheltered Housing at the old Stockton Railway Station, the same station he left from when doing his national service and training at Catterick.
Photograph and details courtesy of Deborah Wilson (nee Surtees)
Anyone ever trained at Hilsea Barracks in 1954 September during their National Service in the R.A.O.C. I have the photograph of the Group I trained with, on the back of the photo everyone sighed their name and the town or city they were from. There several from my home city of Sheffield. I am 92+6 months old.
Thomas Lenham 1932-2007 born and died in Stockton-on-Tees. He did his National Service in Germany in the 1950s. I don’t know which regiment he was with or when he was called up. Can anybody assist in finding out more?
He must have served before 1955 when he married.
New information suggests he was with the Royal Corps of Signals.
Information recently received suggests that he was with the Royal Corps of Signals.
Don is my Dad, as already stated, he lives in Stockton, he was still in touch with your Dad till he passed away. My name is Lynn. I’ve left my details with Picture Stockton.
Hi Lynn thanks for your response to my posting. I think it great that a site like this allows for photos from our past to be shared with the rest of picture Stockton. Does your Dad have a copy of this photo they both look so young in it don’t they.
Deb
Hi Debbie, I knew Brian ( unless there was more than one) we played together, I lived in the Turf Hotel which was on John Street which I think is now a parking lot. There were not many houses, most of the land right up to the back of the Globe Theatre had been taken up with underground air raid shelters, above ground almost right up to the side of the Surtees house all the market stalls were kept making a great place to play, there was always a stool cricket match going on also on the shelter site or in the lane behind the Globe.
The Turf is now gone as is the emergency reservoir that was next to it and; also on John Street, we moved from the Turf around the corner to the Leeds which I see is still standing. Cheers Mike (Canada)
Hi Mike
My dad use to like to comment that the old house he lived in on John Street became the public toilets after they moved his claim to fame lol.
Hi Deb, I knew your Dad, Brian Surtees, when we were stationed at Old Dalby Camp, Melton Mowbray, Leics. It was during the 1956 Suez Crisis. I used to give him a lift home, to Portrack, if we were lucky enough to get a leave-pass. I have a group photo and your Dad is on it (can’t see full face, but it’s him). email me if you’d like photo or more info’.
Don’s surname is Sutherby. He lives in Stockton and if you would like more information contact
me by email please. Picture Stockton have my email address.