Expat Memories From Australia
A Memory of Aveley.
Billy Benson here. I now live in Victoria Australia, but I grew up in Aveley and lived at 5 Crescent Walk. Loved the pictures of the local shops and the old town. My family moved to Australia in 1963. I have been back since on a few occassions. I remember Bushy Bit and my best friend was Michael Curtin who has now sadly apssed away. My girlfriend when I was at the junior school was Lillian Williams who lived in Manor Close as did my Aunt Kath Williams at no 10.
I was in the class David Storer and Mark Cobb at Bushy Bit. I remember the Rec and the sand pit they closed when polio happened. Also the fairgound that came there every year. Derrick Morris was also a friend of mine as was Alan Swanson.
My older brother John and I boxed for Belhus Park boxing club. John became a successful business man and lived in America but unfortunately passed away a few years ago following heart surgery. He was in the class above me.
I keep in touch with a dear friend Ann Webb who still lives nearby our old house in Hall Road. I think Colin had an older brother Michael Newbury? It's hard to think back 60 odd years.
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My back garden backed on to it,
Got married here in Victoria, in 1988, to an aussie girl i met in London, after my father died we moved here,in late 93,
take care Be safe.......
Bert Chambers
Billy, you said you had a good friend in Hall Road, near your old home. My family lived in Hall Road too.
My grandmother, Mrs Ruby Rawlings (nee Aldred), owned `Kennies', a shop in the Hall Road block of shops. (The Parade).
My parents, Ken and Eileen Aldred (and us kids) lived above `Kennies' at 2A The Parade, Hall Road. The shop was named after Ruby's oldest son, our father, Ken Aldred.
When I say `us kids', our names are Clive, Terrie and Julie Aldred.
Our family left Aveley, for New Zealand in 1962, and Tom Rawlings, Ruby Rawlings husband, came with us, leaving Ruby and her other adult children to sell up the shop and join us in New Zealand, at various later years. (Between 1962-1965).
Ruby and Tom Rawlings had a son, John, who married Maureen Howells. Their daughter, Pearl, married Sid Derby.
`Kennies' was next to `Mapley's Butchers', which was owned by Joe Mapley. Their butcher shop was the end shop. Dennis Mapley, one of Joe's sons, emigrated to New Zealand. Later on Joe and Mrs Mapley came out too. Vince, their other son, stayed in England.