Gourock, Esplanade 1900

Photo ref: 45972

Used to go fishing down that end of the pier on Saturday mornings. When we were bored with that we would mess about with the turntable or sit in the guard's van that was left in a siding. Maybe try to light a fire in the burner with some of the BR paperwork left in it to warm us up.

The picture house was nicknamed the Swimming Pool, because of all the breaststrokers. Ritchies ferry was great and could be depended upon unlike the farce of a ferry which now only operates when there is no wind and no waves. I remember when Rab Ritchie would stop for a wee bit of fishing if he was quiet! Nowadays a rowing boat would provide a better service. (well nearly). They have even emasculated the formerly reliable service to Dunoon, never mind Blairmore! Progress backwards.

My grandparents, Thomas Wilfred Hobbs and Jane McCurdy, were married in St Ninians chapel in 1918. My father, Thomas Elgar Hobbs, was born in Gourock in 1920. I was hoping that I may have relatives in the area, I am Thomas Elgars daughter, Theresa nee Hobbs. Many thanks.

Actually this is not my memory, rather my brother's, now deceased. My brother was a Sick Bay Attendant stationed at HMS Rosneath. At the time many troops were coming back home with all sorts of injuries, he collected from HMS Vanguard amongst other vessels which were transferred to the sick bay for attention. In his time off he would call in to HE Cox's Bakery. He also witnessed the German Battleship ...see more