Is there anything you would like to know about the Borough of Stockton, its history, its industries, its buildings or its people? Just add a comment with your query to this page and we will endeavour to answer it. If we don’t know the answer it may well be that some of our site visitors do…
NOTE – Please use the ‘Reply‘ option when answering a query.
Hello,
I am researching my family from Stockton and a search retrieved this
“Ask Us | Picture Stockton Archive
They later moved to Station Road, Billingham and later Gloucester TC and …… In 1957 Ruby married Allan R HICK. …… Jesse his wife 47yrs born Durham”.
Ruby is my mum and Allan my dad – but I can’t find the article on your website – could you give a few search clues and save my sanity please?
Hello Keith – the comment you’re looking for is here… https://picturestocktonarchive.com/can-we-help/#comment-53566
Hi, My grandad (Arthur Vokes) owned a shop and ran a market stall with his wife Ruby and daughters Millie, Pat and Terry on Stockton High Street in the 1940’s and 50’s. Does anyone remember them?
Hi we have just moved to 98 Oxbridge Lane, Stockton-on-tees and we are trying to find out the history of the house and who lived in it. Can anyone help?
The large houses on Oxbridge Lane that are to the west of Richmond Road are known as the “West Villas”. All of those houses were given names when they were built about 1885. Do you know if your house originally had a name, as it would help in identifying the former occupants.
The electoral registers at Stockton library are available from the early 50s at least. Easy to access, and the library staff would be available to assist.
The 1939 register shows that living there were, Daniel Tyber b.3 May 1889, and his occupation, interestingly reported as , Chemist, Director Explosive., wife? Elizabeth Tyber b.16 Oct 1890 (Household domestic dutes), and Irene W. Tyber b.9 Jan 1918, Typist (later married to a Mr Kidd). There may have been other children, but the records are closed for some who may have still been alive until recently. (2 records covered over)
Also at the address in 1939, Georgina M Oram b.14 May 1905, Domestic Servant.
No.98 is west of Nursery Lane and is part of a terrace of large houses known at one time as “The Ferns”.
Does anyone remember a Peggy Simpson from Oxbridge who had a son named Derrick in the 1940s who died I think in his 50s. Any information would be greatly appreciated
I think he attended Oxbridge school.
Hello, do you have any street maps showing Haverton Hill between 1912- 1950s? Also do you know how I can find details of 11 Clarence Street and who lived there? Is it possible to find addresses for my grandparents Sarah Ann (Latham) and William Daniel who moved to the area and married in St John’s Church in 1912/13. They moved there from Cheshire and Thirsk and I am trying to fill in the gaps of when and why they came. They later moved to Station Road, Billingham and later Gloucester TC and Lincoln Crescent. Thanks very much.
Hi Judith, to see Haverton Hill about 1920 go to the following website and zoom in
https://maps.nls.uk/view/101100512
The Latham family moved to Haverton Hill about 1893. This can be deduced from the records of where their children were born. Sarah Ann was born in Winsford, Cheshire in 1892. But the next child, Rachel, was born in Haverton Hill in 1894.
By 1939, William and Sarah Daniel and their 5 (?) children were living at 13 Gloucester Terrace in Billingham.
The 1911 Census shows that Sarah Ann was not living with her parents. She was 19 years old and had found a job at Bridge Farm, Crosby, near Northallerton.
In those days it was traditional for a daughter to get married in her home parish, hence the marriage at Haverton Hill.
I am researching the death of my great great aunt, Winifred Hill. When she was just 10 years old, her body was found in the River Tees. She died in January 1920. Her death certificate says she was found at ‘Craig’s Wharf’ in Thornaby (I presume this means Craig Taylor’s Shipyard) and cause of death was unknown. Anyone have any ideas of how I can find out more about this?
Claire – Try the Coroner’s report which should be in Teesside archives… You’d need Winifred’s date of birth (and death). An obituary could also help which you may be able to find in the library. Good luck
Hello, has anyone got an old map of Stockton-on-Tees? I lived in Pearson Street in the 1960s and all I can remember is that the street was demolished after my family moved out. If I remember rightly it was 70s.
Thank you
L.Hilton
Hi Lynn,
I have sent some copies of maps which show Pearson Street in 1897 and the location of where Pearson Street was in 1973, to your email address.
I hope that they are of some assistance.
Kind regards,
Hannah
Looking for details of death of David Blue near Mile House, Stockton in the 1940’s
David A.C. Blue was buried at Durham Road Cemetery on 27 December 1949.
He was only 13 years old. Is this who you are looking for?
Would anyone know of a Mary Cooper who, as a Land Girl in WWII was posted to a small form in Herefordshire and who contributed the article below. The farm was where I grew up and the people mentioned were my relatives including my father – now deceased.
I moved to Australia many years ago and have lost touch with people who could fill in the gaps surrounding that part of my early childhood. I suspect Mary may also now have passed away but would be interested in hearing from anyone who has any details about this period
Thanks
Dave Williams
https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/42/a3311542.shtml
Hi please could you tell me the name of the pub on the corner opposite the DHS building it is a restaurant now but in 1997 I had a hen party in there and was trying to think what name the pub was then. It’s on Bridge Road Stockton-on-Tees.
The only name of the pub I can recall on the corner was Walker’s.
Was it Flannigans?
I was born in Stockton-on-Tees in 1951. My mother owned The Sun Inn, The pub I think you mean was the Metropole Hotel which was opposite corner to DHSS as I worked above them in a solicitors office. The Metropole after about 1988 must have had at least 5 names all short term. The building next door was the County Court which also turned into a pub. If you google The Metropole Hotel you will see area maybe the Thomas Sheritan. A pub on every corner.
What was the chapel on the east side of Mandale Road/Mansfield Street junction in Thornaby?
I dimly remember the Boys Brigade being based there. Any information and pictures would be gratefully received.
Has anyone got any photos of the Washington hotel in Wellington street, that was run by my parents, Eileen and David Bozeate?
Does anyone remember the pub and old job center on Bridge Road where Kwik Fit is now or the flour mill on the rivers edge near the bridge where the old Radio Tees was? It took two attempts to blow that mill down 40 years ago
Peter there are several photos of the old flour mill on Picture Stockton. Use the search facility and look for Cleveland Mill.
Stockton Football ground – Mr R Walker played for the team in 1946 and would like to appeal for any photos of the ground (Victoria football ground) or team from that time. Can anyone help?
What did they call the public house on Thompson Street in 1955
The pub was called the Turks Head.
There was the Gladstone hotel, Thompson Street.
Hello , I am trying to find information about The Grey Horse pub that was on the corner of the High st/ Yarm Lane from about the 1900’s. I was told my uncle’s family had it at one time. Thankyou
Hello Tracey
It was the Grey Horse Hotel, its it’s been a cafe, jewellers and is now a pet shop
Tracey Molloy – I’ve just checked ‘History of lost pubs’ at Stockton… There’s a good photo dated (roughly 1950). I’m a bit puzzled why it has ‘Hearts of Oak’ on the pub, yet the intro says ‘Grey Horse’ Also try looking up your family’s details on Ancestry (free at libraries)… You’ll need their name. Hope this helps – Mandy
Hi Mandy. The Heart of Oak, was the Benefit Society office.
Martin – Sorry, you must think me very rude for not replying sooner re the ‘Hearts of Oak”. I hadn’t realised it was a Benefit Society. The name simply sounds like a pub, so I had assumed it was! Thanks very much.
According to Wards trade directory 1928-29, the Grey Horse Inn/Hotel/Public House was listed as run by a G.M. Watson. (although not given, most likely was a chap). Other years & directories are available in Stockton Library and some online.
Hope this helps a little.
In the 1928-29 edition of Wards trade directory, the person listed for the Grey Horse @ 86 High Street was G.M.Watson (most likely but no certain a male). Other directories are available on line and in Stockton Referance Library.
Hope this helps a touch.
Hi, please can any one help me, my aunt eileen Tippey born about 1934, parents Walter & Norah Tippey, aunt Eileen died early, I think she married an Haverton Hill lad called Tommy Harrison, no idea of marriage date, did aunt Eileen have a child from her marriage.
Thanks.
Derek
Derek, Eileen Tippey was born 9 October 1931, a sister to Kathleen (b.1927), Lawrence (b.1929), Bernard (b.1935) and Michael (b.1938). In 1939, the Tippey family lived in Moray Road, at the west end of Norton Avenue. In early 1952, Eileen married Thomas W. Harrison. The previous year David Harrison had been born to them, but he died within a few weeks of his birth. I can find no records of any other children being born to them. Eileen died in 1956, only 24 years old.
Thanks Cliff, much appreciated.
All the best.
Derek.
I’m trying to establish where Hunter Martin (Taylor) moved to when his first shop was demolished In 1970.
Many thanks
Fiona
Norton Road Fiona
I have a wonderful photo of him stood outside his shop
Does anyone know the name of the cemetery in Yarm Road, Preston Park, next to Stratstone Jaguar. Is it connected to a church?
Hello Brian,
We believe that the name of the cemetery that you are inquiring about is called Preston-on-Tees Cemetery. We hope that this information is of some assistance.
Kind regards,
Hannah, Stockton Reference Library
Would it be possible to discover any of the history of a Stockton-on-Tees business, which flourished in the mid nineteenth century?
William Windels is the name engraved on the installation plate, on the Bishopton Church Clock. Although he installed it, and probably maintained it, and many others in the district, it was probably bought in, from a specialist manufacturer. I wonder if the Town Hall clock, in Stockton was installed by him, is it still in use?
I was lead to this enquiry, while restoring a remarkably ancient turret clock, which he, William Windels, may have worked on when it was at Friarage House, in Yarm-on-Tees. Reputed to have been in the stable buildings since monastic times. Incredibly the former occupants removed it on leaving!
Kind Regards,
Bob Place.
Appleton Wiske.
Hello Bob, I will e-mail you directly with the information I have found
Kind regards,
Adele, Reference Library
Bob, I can not find a “Windels” in Stockton mid-19th C., but there was a William Windle with premises on Stockton High Street. In 1851 his occupation was a silversmith, but by 1861 he describes himself as “Watchmaker, Jeweller and Silversmith”. And by 1861 he had a couple of apprentice watchmakers under him.
I wonder if this might be your man? He died in 1863, and was buried in Holy Trinity churchyard, Stockton.
I’m trying to find the wife of Frank Dixon her name is Sylvia Dixon and he was friends with John who owned the Princess of Wales in Stockton.
Frank passed away many years ago but I’m looking for his wife who may be able to help me get pics of my dad
Morning. Who owns the Mecca bingo hall now and what is it going to be and when is it’s opening date forecasted?
I’d be grateful for any information of the Leisure company who now owns it
Thank you
Kevin
Can you tell me the name of a fabrication firm in Portrack late 60s early 70s please?
It began with an ‘S’, my friends husband served his time there but he died recently and his wife is struggling to remember for the eulogy,
Thank you Mrs Susan Aaron
Trying to find if Irene Welch nee Woods from Norton is still alive. She married John Welch from Billingham
Hello – We are trying to trace our family tree and are looking for any old photographs of Parliament Street, Stockton-on-Tees.
The family was the Mackenzie Family. The boys signed up with the Gordon Highlanders, they lived there around the late 1800s / 1900
Thanks you
A Duncan Mackenzie, born 29th Jan 1890, father Roderick, was living at 43 Parliament Street when he was admitted to Bowesfield Lane Boys School – if that’s the same family?
Hi, I am trying to make contact with my mothers family who where from the Thornaby/Stockton area. Her name was Fay Pollock her parents were William Pollock and Rachael Pollock they moved to Yorkshire in the 1930s with her three brothers and two sisters and I can remember in the 1970 visiting the Stockton area to see family who had children younger than myself I would have been around 20.
Peter, here is some initial information about the Pollock family.
William Edward Pollock married Rachel Bland at Stockton in 1924. They had the following children – John (b.1925), Constance (b.1927), Margery (b.1928), Thomas (b.1931) and Fay (b.1935). By 1939, the family were living in Park Street, Rotherham. William Pollock had been born into a large family so I will try and find if any are still living in the Stockton area.
Your grandfather, William Pollock had the following brothers who all married and had children of their own –
James Pollock (1896-1960) m. Elizabeth A Ward in 1912.
John T Pollock (1898-1980) m. Annie McKee in 1920
Ernest Pollock (1906 – 1973) m. Alice M Dowson in 1933
Look in the on-line BT Directory and you will find that there are still residents in the area named Pollock.
Hi Peter, my grandfather was John T. Pollock, who married my grandmother Annie McKee. I actually work in the family history section here so if you would like to contact me, my email is julie.allinson@stockton.gov.uk.
Hi my name is Vivien and I am trying to find some information about my grandfather Patrick Burke, he was born in County Sligo, Ireland about 1879 he came over to England not sure when or if he came with his parents or on his own. He worked at Ashmore Benson & sons in Stockton-on-Tees as a labourer before 1914, he must have moved to Altrincham in Cheshire as he was on the electoral register as living at 19 Chapel Street, Altrincham and this is the address from where he joined the Army in 1914. When he came out of the army he married Mary Andrews who was also I think from Ireland. I am struggling to find the information on his time living and working in Stockton-on-Tees.
Vivien, there is a record of a Patrick Burke marrying Mary R Andrews in 1918. Their marriage was registered in Bucklow, a district which covers Altrincham. If you purchase a copy of their marriage certificate from the General Register Office, it should give you the names of the fathers of the bride and groom.
Looking for the music of the Stockton (later Grangefield) School song “Scholae Stocktonensis Carmen”. Have been advised by Stockton Library to post here. Can anyone help, please? I was at Grangefield 1963-69 but no longer live in the area so can’t search anywhere in person.
Bill, the words of the school song can be found on-line in a copy of the programme for the school’s speech day in 1953, go to
https://heritage.stockton.gov.uk/media/1476/1953-speech-day-stocktonian.pdf
Bill – are you the guy who composed string quartets at Grangefield – and after school, walked to Durham Road to catch the bus home? If so, I remember you liked to tell jokes, e.g the tapeworm and the Mars bar!?
Hi, anyone know Angela Murphy from Yorkshire who visited India, Delhi in 1982 she must have been about 27 and now above 60
Angela Murphy in 1982 visited Delhi, India and stayed in Connaught Place near Regal cinema and most probably she must be 63 yrs now (2019) if any body can let me know Murphy can be her former surname
Could you please tell me if you have any pictures of Samuel Pratt born in Stockton-on-Tees. (My grandad)
Best regards Billy Pratt
Has anyone got any pictures from the hair boutique in Brus House Thornaby, as my neighbour worked there in 1966-1967 and had a photo took with the gazette but we can not find the picture anywhere
What was the name of the nursing home in Stockton in 1936?
If it’s the one in Bowesfield Lane it was called Robinson maternity home, possibly called The Stork (someone correct me if I’m wrong please). I’m presuming you mean maternity not nursing home.
Sorry I meant previously called the Stork. If you are looking for an actual nursing home then there was one called The Queens nursing home again on the corner of Bowesfield Lane and Yarm Lane, type Bowesfield Lane into the search box at the top of the page and you can see a photo of it.
The Punjaub
Hi my name is Ashley from New Zealand,
My ancestors came to New Zealand in 1873 on the clipper sailing ship the Barque ‘Punjaub’. No photos of this vessel are known to exist – so what I am hoping to do is build a scale model. What I would like to get hold of plans of the ship – if possible. I do not know how to do this, or where I could possibly inquire. So any help at all would be wonderful.
The ship was originally launched from the iron shipbuilding yard of Messrs Richardson, Duck & Co South Stockton about 30th October, 1862 and was registered under entry number 350 on the 10th November, 1862. It’s offical number: 45068. It’s signal letters: VBRL.
Thank you for your time, and have an enjoyable Easter break,
Sincerely,
Ashley
Does any one have any info on the existence of a St Jude’s church in Stockton around 1922? was probably in Paradise Row or Portrack Lane IF it existed. I have a story from the Hartlepool Daily mail of a relative marrying bigamously in that church: but I can find no mention of the churches existence.
Derek, the church you are thinking of in Paradise Row was a Methodist Chapel in 1900. Methodist’s do not dedicate their chapels to particular saints like other churches do, By coincidence, in October 1900, that Methodist Chapel had as a visiting preacher a Mr W H Jude! But I do not think that there was a church in Stockton dedicated to St Jude.
Hi Derek – I don’t know of a ‘St Jude’s but there was a St John’s in Alma Street… This is where my grandparents married. Sounds far fetched but someone with a cold could have mispronounced St Jude for St John? It wasn’t on Paradise Row but about 100 yds away, near the station. I suspect bigamy wasn’t uncommon… If people were kept apart during the WW1… out of sight, out of mind? Good luck.
Hey.. So I was in Thornaby the other week and seen the canals never really gave them any thought until that day anyhow what was the purpose of them were they used by the industry that was there Head and Wrightson is it..? And or are they a later addition.. Hope to hear back thanx..
Hi Kenny, The canals were added during the development of Teesdale around 1990. If you search for “Aerial View of Teesdale” on here, you will see the site before the building started, with no canals in sight.
Well… I should have looked closer at that image, it looks like there is one small section of canal, and you can just make out the outline of the central basin and the other legs.
Does anybody remember the article in The Evening Gazette many years ago about the newspaper seller on Billingham Green seeing an ‘apparition’ in St. Cuthberts graveyard?. I often wonder if anybody else has seen it.
Hello, does anybody know information about the Butler family who I believe lived/live in Portrack. Also information about Catherine Jennings mother of Stanley (Laurence) Jennings. I’d love to learn more about my family history and I thought this would be helpful, thanks,
Alfie.
Hi Alfie,
If you have birth death or marriage dates/places for Catherine I can try to look it up for you. Might help if you know her maiden name.
The Butler family took up about 25% of Thornaby in the mid 1880’s for a while. I am connect to both families but I need a clue-name date etc
Hi, I’m looking for any old pictures of my grandparents bungalow, it was called Scotstown and was 92 South Road, Norton. My grandad got the bungalow built for my gran and their 2 daughters about 1954, the surrounding land was their small holding / market garden, any pictures would be a great help to my mam as she has dementia and always longs to go home. Also any pictures of Freddie Fernie who was my grandads best friend, he sold flowers on Stockton market.
Aww I’m just looking through old stories, just seen you lived at South Road, I live in Grange Road, Norton, did you know Mr Fernnie died a couple of weeks ago?
Hi just wondering if you know anyone who has any information photos etc of The Mount (St John) on Leven Road, Yarm
If you enter The Mount Yarm into Google it will take you to the britishlistedbuildings website which has a photo and description of the inside and outside of the building.
Does anyone know where this might have been taken? The big picture: Kids play outdoors in 1970s Stockton-on-Tees: https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2019/mar/10/big-picture-robin-dale-children-play-outside-70s-stockton-on-tees-paradise-street?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Yahoo_Mail
I don’t know, but someone must know,
Clues are:
1) Under photo it says Hoverton Hill, assume that’s Haverton Hill?
2) Semi-detached houses with hipped roof, fits with Haverton Hill.
3) Cranes & a large, long building behind the semi’s, would fit with the shipyard at Haverton Hill.
Someone might even know who these kids are?
Great photo wherever it is.
I would guess that the photo was taken half-way along Nelson Avenue. You can see the streets of Haverton Hill laid out on the following map of 1938.
https://maps.nls.uk/view/101100509
The streets have long been demolished but you can make out where they were by using Google Earth.
Hi I was just wondering if there is a source in the library where you can find burial plot no’s as I have been asking the Stockton Register office website (who are very useful) but I need a few and they charge for looking so I want to be able to gather the info myself. I am also looking for a business name as a relative was a restaurant keeper in 1911 on Mandale Road, Thornaby
Paul
I have previously phoned the cemeteries department of Stockton Council and a very helpful gentleman has looked in the records for burial plots. You need the approximate date of burial and cemetery name. It might be worth trying.
Hi Paul,
Thank you for your enquiry.
Burial plot numbers can be found by contacting Bereavement Services (which is part of Stockton Register Office). The Reference Library does however have an outline plan of Thornaby Cemetery, Yarm Cemetery, Stockton (Durham Road) Cemetery, Stockton (Oxbridge Lane) Cemetery and Norton St. Mary’s Churchyard.
Photos and monumental inscriptions (but not plot numbers) for some of the gravestones in these cemeteries can be viewed on the Gravestone Photographic Resource website (https://www.gravestonephotos.com/) and http://www.findagrave.com.
The Reference Library also holds a 1910/1911 Ward’s Directory, which covers Thornaby, on microfilm. Although it is not necessary to book a microfilm reader we advise that you do so in order to avoid a wasted journey. Bookings can be made by contacting us on 01642 528079 or at reference.library@stockton.gov.uk. Alternatively if you could contact us with the name of your relative then we could have a look for you.
I hope that this information is of some assistance to you.
Kind regards,
Hannah
Hiya I’m looking for a Gazette picture unsure of the year think it’s July-August 77/78. I’m stood in front of Salters Lane Community Centre in a striped rugby top. We had sent a letter to get a new centre as our roof had blown off
Hello Paul,
The Evening Gazette is held on microfilm in Stockton Reference Library. Although it is not necessary to book a microfilm reader we advise that you do so in order to avoid a wasted journey. Bookings can be made by contacting us on 01642 528079 or at reference.library@stockton.gov.uk.
Alternatively if you are unable to visit the library we can conduct 30 minutes of free research on your behalf. If we were unable to find the picture within that time we can continue to search the newspaper at a cost of £12.50 per 30 minutes.
I hope that this information helps.
Kind regards,
Hannah
Looking to find out about my grandmother Lillian Welch, she had a sister Annie. They lived in Stockton-on-Tees. My grandmother left left for the States around the 1920’s. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thankyou.
Susan, was your grandmother Lillian married when she left for the States? If so, was Welch her married name?
In the 80’s I went to Ragworth Junior School I was in the school choir and went to competitions one was at Blackpool we sang in the Winter Gardens and won. Do you have a picture of the choir? I remember we were on the news and in the paper but can’t find anything. Our music teacher was Mrs Crowshaw. Thank you for reading hope to hear back. I would love to find this picture again as its a special piece of my childhood. Thank you again, Sally.
I’m trying to find my Grandfathers war service record but without knowing what regiment etc he was in I’m struggling. Does anyone know which regiment those called up in 1939-1941 from Stockton were sent to please?
Men called up in 1938-39 were mainly Territorials plus Reservists so were called up in what ever regiment or Corps they were in at the time.
Norton were Artillery Batteries though there would also be RASC transport, RAOC supplies plus some who would be Durham Light Infantry.
Thousands were called to the colours and many not to the Regiments or Corps they were assigned to as Troops were mustered for France, the Middle East and other parts of the then Empire.
The phoney war until April 1940 when the Blitzkrieg started meant many men were relocated and many Tradesmen were sent back home as Steelworkers Shipbuilders and other trades found their men had gone leaving them unable to continue the work required providing war supplies.
I knew of men brought back from the forces then sent to Gibraltar, Malta and Egypt to repair ships as the Mediterranean and Suez Canal were kept open, it was a world war from day one.
After Dunquehk the evacuation not forgetting as many men were evacuated from Normandy, Brest, and other French Ports often with huge losses the forces were on their knees, men were called up and sent where needed.
Italy and Japan entered the war Italy 1940, Japan December 1941, meaning forces were scattered around the world, men would be posted from one Regiment to make up the numbers in another.
Without the Regimental number or the Unit finding your Grandfathers Unit is almost impossible. Are there any pictures showing badges or even where he was posted and a date that would help.
Frank.
Sometimes people went into regiment that was related to their employment. My father was in the Territorials serving in REME, because he worked for the local railway company LNER. So when the war started and the Territorials were called up first, he was serving in France in REME.
Cliff, REME was only formed in 1942 from the RE, RASC, RAOC and from Regimental Driver Mechanics. Most railway men went into the Royal Engineers (RE) and the main training area was Longmoor Bordon Hampshire, I was there for a couple of weeks and got to drive engines around the miles of track they trained on.
REME came into being on October 1st 1942 to try and bring some organisation into maintenance and recovery of Armour damaged or broken down on the battlefield and proved successful in the try out at El Alamein where the number of tanks damaged or broken down was in the hundreds and most were recovered and sent back into battle. The German Army had taught the British that holding the battlefield when the armour retired to arm up and refuel worked, they had fewer tanks than us though they could field those same tanks next day plus some of our own being used against us.
I was DLI and transferred without consultation to REME, kicking and screaming as I loved the DLI. By then it was fully formed with its own CREME, (Commander REME). after training I was posted to the Middle East 662 Armoured Troops Workshops with 4th RTR, three deserts later and a spell in Cyprus saw me in Germany as front line REME alway having to hold the battlefield and recover what we could, repair it and get it back in action. (Cold war seemed hot to us) The REME motto being “Arte Et Marte” BY Skill and by Fighting.
We we’re always told it meant Skilled Engineer first, Soldier Always, that is the way it still is as the Army went to Iraq and Afghanistan plus everywhere in the world Soldiers serve, there will always be some REME there.
I went up through the ranks to ASM, (WO1) Artificer Sergeant Major always with forward field workshops looking after armour, our one reason for being to keep the Armour Rolling. Wars are won by those you never hear about.
Frank.
Frank, thank you very much for that brief history of REME. That will come in very useful when I start work on my Dad’s biography. I have photos of him under canvas when in the Territorials, so that location in Hampshire is probably where his outfit was camped. Like most Territorials he did it for the extra money he was paid, never expecting that he would ever have to go to war!
Cliff, you can also write the Royal Engineers were also a fighting Regiment. I was with the Armoured Engineers in Germany, they went forward and put the bridges across rivers or ferried us over on motorised rafts.
In the Middle East when we saw IED’s (nothing new about them) we called in the engineers to defuse it, they also lifted the minefields, much like us with Armour hang on to your hats men.
I cannot confirm it but think Royal Engineers Longmoor Hampshire is now more of a Museum and still have miles of lines, they had everything from trench trains WW1 to modern Diesels, it could be worth looking it up and paying a visit.
Frank.
Frank thank you for your answer that has answered my own question relating to my father who was in the local unit as a Territorial or as a militiaman.
He always wore a DLI badge on his blazer of which he was immensely proud but had gone to War as RASC to guard the internees on the Isle of Man then too the 8th Army in N Africa subsequently Italy.
However I still don’t know what happened to my Uncle George who was in the Unit with my father.Their eldest brother Charlie Helyer whose son played for Stockton, was an ex East Yorks Regular who spent 7 years in UK in the 20’s being kept in Aldershot to represent the Regt in sport and as a machine gunner;
He was not allowed to rejoin the Colours due to working in the “steel” and so I was wondering if George served or if he was also involved in a reserved occupation, though his own son now in OZ served in the RN, after the War his grandfathers Service in WW1.
So I am wondering if anyone should they have memories of the unit would know of my father and Uncle but more importantly have photos.
I am ex RAMC and wonder what was the size of the medical section? was this part of the Unit which I believe was searchlight and stayed in UK till after D-Day or were they odds and sods called up to elsewhere
Thank you for any help you can afford me
My father Bill Evans was called up in 1939 as a territorial and posted to Malton Yorkshire with the Durham Light Infantry. He was transferred to Derby about 1942 and became a staff sergeant in the REME until the end of the war. I have the 1st REME Christmas Card 1942.
Hi, just wondered do you have any information or photos of Christoph Christian Schumm (1858-1923) of 39 Portrack or Schumm Butchers/family. He was my great great grandad. Many thanks
There are a number of references to members of the Schumm family in the pages of The Daily Gazette, which covered Stockton and Middlesbrough in the late 1800s. It may be available via your local library if it subscribes to one of the digitised newspaper websites. The only reference to Christian Schumm was in the paper for 8 February 1878. A report covered cases heard at the Middlesbrough Police Court. One of these cases involved 6 boys who had stolen articles of meat from Christian Schumm, a pork butcher in West Street.
It looks as if his relatives were also in the butchery trade as there were articles mentioning the butchers George Schumm of Cannon Street, and a Henry Schumm in Newport Road. On 28 April 1896, the newspaper announced the death of Eberhard Schumm aged 80 in Wurtemberg, Germany. Presumably he was connected to the local Schumm families on Teesside.
Hello All. My name is Barry Cox son of Brian and Marlene Cox who lived in Alexandra Street, Oxbridge, Stockton from about 1960 to 1970. I’m trying to find information from My dads side of the family. On my dads birth certificate he is registered as John Brian Cox born 2 Dec 1934. I am led to believe his dad was also Brian Cox who married Doris Batey. I think Brian must have died because Doris (Dolly) re-married a man called Ernest Cuthbert. I am led to believe that Doris and Brian also lived in Oxbridge in one of the streets off Light Pipe Hall Road?
I now live in Spain but have many fond memories of Alexandra Street. If anyone can shed any light on my dads first father it would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Hello Barry,
Thank you for your enquiry, I shall email you directly with the information that I have found.
Kind regards,
Hannah
Hello Barry, here is some information about your grandfather. He was born on 21 August 1903 and named John Cox. In the summer of 1930 he married Doris Batey (b.18 Oct. 1910). Their first child, Margaret was born 19 June 1930. Your father, John Brian Cox was born 2 December 1934. In 1939, the family was living at 9 Hamilton Street, Thornaby, with the father, John Cox being employed as a brewery labourer. John Cox’s death was registered in March 1940, he was only 36 years old. His death cannot have been due to WW II as the first bombs did not fall on Stockton until June 1940. In the summer of 1945, Doris Cox married Ernest Cuthbert.
Hi. Can anyone help me find anyone who knew the Bulmer family. My father William was born in 1928 address of birth is 5 Carpenter Square. He had brothers and sisters Bobby, Louisa, Edward,Emily. Violet. My father left Stockton aged 14 came South and raised me and my two brothers in London. I used to visit as a child and have now reconnected with my cousins. Hope someone remembers them.
Denise, for information, by 1939 the Bulmer family was living at 42 Laburnum Avenue, Thornaby. It comprised John and Elizabeth Bulmer, and their 6 children.
Thank you so much for your reply it is greatly appreciated. Is Laburnum Avenue still there today?
Yes, Laburnum Avenue is still there Denise, you will find it via Streetmap or similar on-line maps. It is on an estate that was built for Council tenants in the early 1930s.
Thank you so much for your help. On my next trip to Stockton I will check that address out and others that I have.
Once again thank you.
I was so impressed with your help regarding the Bulmer family and helping with my father. I have been searching since for details regarding my Uncle Edward Bulmer and his wife Sheila passed the cencus of 1939. He wasn’t married at the tme of that cencus (he was born in 1925) but I would like to know where he ended up living when he got married. I have been told that they lived at 60 Ashfield Ave around 1955.56 & 57. I have been unable to find any electoral list for that time.
Is that anything that you could help me with.
Best regards
Denise.
Carol Bulmer lives in Thornaby. Everybody in Thornaby knows Carol. Her husband Lol Bulmer died about 18 years ago he was Manager at the Lamp Post Factory in Thornaby called Pette Jeans a french company
Was there a pig farm were Layfield School is now?
Hi, I was curious to see if there was any photos of the old Corby Lodge house on Junction Road, owned by a Mrs Armitage? I’ve been struggling to come across anything showing the original building.
😊
I do not have a photograph of Corby Lodge Junction Road Norton. I do however know the Armitage family well since 1937-38. At that time the family lived on the corner of Junction Road and Grantham Road. I used to play with John.Jean and Audrey Armitage before the second world war started.
In those days Mrs. Edith Armitage was a qualified doctor and indeed was our family doctor. It was very rare at this time to have a lady doctor. Her husband C.V. Armitage was an LDS, RCS Dental Surgeon on Norton Road. They employed a cook, maid, nursemaid (Charlotte), handyman (William) who looked after Mr. Armitage’s 1937/38 Jaguar car. This particular house caught fire and was very severely damaged. This was repaired and the family were still living in it when my Mother and I evacuated from Grantham Road in 1939. When we returned to Norton in 1943 I feel sure the Armitages were still living in this house. Sometime during the war and after Anthony Armitage was born they moved into Tyson Hodgson’s house on Junction Road next to Newstead Farm. I cannot remember if it was called Corby Lodge when Tyson Hodgson had the house but I too remember it was Corby Lodge which became the home of the Armitage family. Indeed my wife and I visited Dr. Edith Armitage at Corby Lodge who was by then a widow in the 70’s. None of the massive redevelopment building had been started at that time. However, Newstead Farm and Corby Lodge became Contisbury Road etc. If you look up my references in Pictures Stockton you will see I served my apprenticeship with Mr. C.V. Armitage who was one of the first dental surgeons to become an FDS, RCS. His private dental practice, even prior to the NHS, was considerable as he was also the dental surgeon for ICI Billingham. He employed 3 dental mechanics and 2 apprentices. I left there in 1951 to take up employment at Leeds Dental School and Hospital where I became Senior Instructor in Prosthetic Dentistry. That title meant any replacement to the head.
J. Norman Kidd
Norman, you really are awe-inspiring being able to recount so much detail from upto 80 years ago. I always read your posts, as they are always so fascinating and educational. Cliff
My mother In law. Dorothy Crawford. Née Orrick worked for Doc Armatage. She used to go to the Lakes with them to Beech House.
Sorry that I do not have a picture that you are seeking. I had a photograph at one time of my sister and I standing in the the driveway of the their home. I can’t remember if it was Corby Lodge though. It most likely was taken in 1944 when I was sixteen. I will try to contact my niece, who resides in England, to see if she may have a copy in her late Mother’s photographs. How lovely it was to read about the Armitage family in your post. I knew Charlotte, the children’s nursemaid, from when I was a child. Her family lived next door to my family in Greta Road in Norton and she would often bring the children to visit her parents, so I also got to play and visit with them.
Dear Dorothy,
I hope this is not too late to contact you but I have just read your Comment in Pictures Stockton 27th Sept.2020.
I see your surname is Marquiz, did they name one of the new roads after your family name? I seem to think I have read it somewhere.
As I stated I new the Armitage family well and Charlotte who looked after John who was my friend in 1938-40 and Jean and Audry. We used to play in their garden and the air raid shelter in those days.
I am sad that I have lost touch with them all, I never new Anthony as he was a late arrival, although I think I did meet him when he was working at Harrods briefly.
Norton was a great village to live in and like salmon I have to go back and look around my early life area. The property is still in excellent shape but such a lot of new building. When you lived in Greta Road id you ever get you milk from Tunstalls Farm? if you did I may have delivered you milk! I used to love helping on the farm and helped many times at the weekend, Mr Tunstall used to give me 2/6 for helping and very often lunch.
I send my good wishes to you and hope this finds you in Good Health.
J.Norman Kidd.