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Hi everyone,
I can probably answer some of the questions raised here, as I’m his son and was raised by him and likewise cared for him in his later years.
Unfortunately Dad passed away in January 2012, in Norwich.
He and my mum were together for a few years from the late 80’s till 1995, when they split up, but he remained here in Norfolk for the rest of his life, continuing his trade as a painter and doing shows all over the region.
He was always very present in my life and we spent a large amount of time together, often taking me out on the road with him to his shows (often staying overnight in places like Sea Palling).
If anyone has any specific questions, please feel free to connect via Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/ChocoboBilly92
I’d love to connect with you all more as I know very little from his earlier years, and have lost touch with a lot of my siblings from that era.
What a wonderful remembrance of a horrible situation that could have been so much worse was it not for luck. We colonialists are thankful for the friendship, kinship and goodwill of our British cousins.
we had a wonderful dog BONNIE , , he got old and sick , no vets in those days, I was at school. when I got home lunch time , my parents were in tears . dear old Bonnie was in a grave in the garden, dear Mr venables had been and put a powder down his throut, mum said he went so peacfully
I remember old slasher he gave me an “F” in religious instruction. I remember the speach he gave when he retired, on stage at school, old Fred kept banging his foot on the floor hoping he would hurry up and get it over with.
Thanks for that information Norman. Janet.
My grand Parents lived at 6 Marine Approach, I remember your grand parents and your Aunt
Dave Wiggins. Gloria Roger’s was Head of IT and Maths teacher.
This really brought back memories – even though I was only 3 at the time. I remember the Chamber family well (especially Marion as we were the same age). I also remember the biscuits in the big open boxes!
We lived in Labworth Road at the time and I vaguely remember we all clambered into our loft and my Grandma putting her foot through the asbestos ceiling! I also remember being carried out to an army truck, with dead fish and straw floating around, to be taken to Benfleet to stay in my uncle’s house.
Thanks for this fascinating site. Roland Zilz
Just found this page!! This is my grandad and I can confirm it’s an MBE.
Was it him that used to sit on the roof of his bugerlow in long Road , playing his guitar , I sure we used o see himup there x
Keith Musto at the back in white top and Peter Sweetman at the back tall who crewed for Keith
It is such a small world but Shirley Thomas is my Aunty. I live in Australia and am the granddaughter of Harry Hollingbery. Kim, his son Ron is my father. I would love to touch base and rekindle our family ties.
Hello, Don’t know where quite to start, I hope you understand 😊 Lillian is my Great Nan, 1885, lived in a bungalow on Canvey, Joan loved her Roses and have those fond memories. My Mum was Margaret Rose (1932), sisters Betty, Doreen and Sylvia who sadly have all passed. Great memories, fondness and respect with love ❤️
Not easy! Taking into consideration that Leigh Beck was used to describe a large area at the east of the island it’s got to be a guess! As there is an unimpaired view of the mainland but it is so hazy the only significant land mark would have been Hadleigh Castle( not in view) but there is a gap in the tree-line which could be the Salvation Army colony. My guess is Nevada Rd! Surprising how many well established properties there are!!🤔G.
I’ve just been reading Paul Watson’s page re his time in the Police Force on Canvey and it got me thinking about the coppers who lived in the police houses around me when I lived at the end of Atherstone Rd. One of the first who came to mind was Graham Elliot who lived in, I think, in the last house a bit further down from our bungalow. I left c. 1971 so I was not aware he had been awarded a BEM. Strange coincidence this should appear so soon after my bit of nostalgia about those times! 🙂 Graham.
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I worked for WC Deans and along with Jim Thomas and others I took the first load of welded tubular supports to the site with Bill Pollington the firms lorry driver If my memory serves me right were you married to Mr Deans daughter and worked in the drawing office at Twickenham. I have photos of the sight and people at work including Jim Thomas, unfortunately I have been unable to attach them
Photos from the night are already on site here
Excellent evenings entertainment, please arrange another ! but where are the photos from the night ?
I lived next door to The Alcindors, at The Driveway, in the late 50’s and remember them being a close family and excellent neighbours. Francis was working in electronics at the time.
Scot Hepworth there’s also Gwendalen Avenue named after Charlie’s wife. My mother in law was Charlie’s sister, Eliza. There was also Martha, known as Mick. The Hollingbery family married into other large Canvey families. At one time I would think they were related to most of Canvey.
It wouldn’t be Arthur in the 1960s he died in 1956.
Hi Peter. In the 1960s Johnny Durban was working in the shop and his Dad , guess that that must be Arthur, was there as well. I think John carried on with business for a while and I can’t be specific about dates. I think he might have sold it to Fred Caring in the late 60s( sorry ! a bit vague about this) perhaps somebody might have more accurate info! Only photos I can find are on the pages re Quenby’s Chemist next door to the shop. One is from 1936 and my Dad’s bread delivery cart has half obscured it but you can see the ‘BIN’ on the facia. The other one is from 2009 when Fred had the business and I think his family are still running it today. When John was there he used to muck about and but a pig’s head in the window wearing dark glasses and with an apple stuck in it’s mouth.😀😎 🐷 Graham Steven PS Lillian’s Hairdresses was 3 doors down towards the Haystack.
Hi Cassie: Yes, life on Canvey during WW11 was very traumatic, due mostly to our closeness to London. Also, it is possible that the Luftwaffe bomber pilots used the River Thames as easy navigation right into the docks and London etc. Thanks for your comment, glad my stories were helpful in your study. Gerald Hudson.
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