Ospringe, Water Lane 1952

Photo ref: O25010

Hello, I and my twin sister were born close to Ospringe at Painters Forstal next to Mr Flites hop field. The date was 10 of September 1940. My father had brought my mother away from the bombing in East Ham. He was a dock worker and his work was vital to the war effort, so he had to return to the docks, leaving mum with all the relatives who were there to pick hops. Mum actually gave birth to us in a small farm house ...see more

Firstly, does anyone have any photos of a thatched cottage that stood up on the back, opposite Ospringe church, as this is where I lived with my parents for a while. My surname was Hogben and I can remember my mother and my sister taking me to Ospringe Junior School to start school at the late age of six. I was being dragged along, kicking and screaming as I didn't want to go. But I can't remember how long I was ...see more

Money was scarce and every day I would go to the Ship Inn at Ospringe to do Mrs. Lightfoot's shopping, she would pay me sixpence a week. Kath would shop for Mrs. Potter the school teacher on a Saturday. I would go to help Aunt Jessie for two shillings and sixpence a day. We were only twelve years old and we thought it was a lot of money, 2/6p would buy Mum a bag of coal. (My mother and twin Kath, memories 1925 ethel gamble/taylor/packman)

My parents met at The Ship in Ospringe. My father, Alcwyn Davies, was in the 3rd Welsh Regiment and was stationed close by. My mother. Grace Glibbery, was with her family from East London picking hops, as they did every year. My grandparents were Liz and Jim Glibbery. Along with my aunt Rose Clark and her husband Joe with their 5 children. Also my great aunts and uncles, their children and grandchildren. They ...see more