This is my grandfather Sapper Joe E Drinkel of the 225th Field Company Royal Engineers taken in France, he had just come in from the field. In the Royal Engineers he was graded a Saddler.
The second photograph is George Harland, a good friend of my granddads. I was given this copy by his family. George was also graded a Saddler. Both George Harland and my Grandfather were Boot and Shoe makers in Stockton.
Photographs and details courtesy of Denis Rigg.
Great photos. I served 10 years with 225 (City of Birmingham) Field Squadron, Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers (Militia) – the descendant unit of you grandfather’s Company. A proud unit with a long heritage. Hurrah for the CRE!
Carroll’s auctions were around that area – We got our first bits of furniture from there
My Grandfather was a Boot & Showmakers apprentice in 1891 and he lived in 48 Skinner Street/47 Coachworks. I would love to know more about the area but presume that these streets have all gone.
Thanks for the info-I remember them now. Will have to keep trying to find out more about the school.
I lived in Norton in the 1950s/60s and Harlands had a lovely shoe shop and cobblers. I loved the smell of the leather! From what I can remember they were next to Lanes drapers!
Harland the cobblers were in Harland Place opposite the old Co-op. I think eventually they moved to Leven Road.
Ah yes they were opposite coop ,there was a hardware shop over there as well-I think they had some connection with either Cartwright builders or Lane fox builders. I’m sure there was a little shoe shop in the corner next to Lanes drapers,can’t remember name though.
Yes Angela the shoe shop in the corner was Harlands, father and son ran it. Next to it was the small sweet chop which was Mrs Whitehead and later her daughter Dorothy. The hardware shop was where we got the parrafin for the lamps in the outside toilets in the winter, at the moment I just can’t remember the name of the shop.
Yes Bob I thought Harlands owned that little shop in corner. It was a long time ago and my memory is playing tricks! Along that parade I remember the Co-op on the corner that had big counters all around the shop and a lady would sit in a pay booth and the assistants would put your money in them and send it along on a wire for your change! The White Swan pub was there then a chemist then I have a blank in my memory of what was then up to Harlands. I suppose you remember shops you went in.
Do you remember a school called Dalry? It was a small independent school. It was down a short ginnel in between the terrace of houses between the modern laundry and Holly street? It was a large building that was then used as a youth club in the 1960s. I went to that school but I am unable to find anything about it or the actual year it closed. I don’t live in Teesside now so I can’t just go over to have a look. Does it ring any bells?
Angela. I believe the hardware shop was called McLaughlins. The shops after the White Swan were the chemists (Lamb), then an electrics shop called Clarke, the little sweet shop then Harlands. The school would be the big hall now behind the Methodist church which I think they own.