For those living close to the river, the past few weeks must have been an absolute nightmare.
Tag: Second World War
Search goes on for news of Home Guard member
A couple of weeks back I wrote about Phil McCarthy, the father of a lady called Dinah Ballantyne, who was a member of the Home Guard given the responsibility for protecting Penton Hook Lock during the dark days of the Second World War.
Home Guards’ ‘Mac’ was the guardian of the lock
One of the things I love most about writing this column is that every now and again I’m contacted by someone with a lovely story to tell connected to our stretch of the Thames.
Bombing of the bridge
But brothers Billy and Jeremy and their brave young aunt were undaunted by German pilot’s attack
Restoration of historic fireboat
As most readers will know, I’m a big fan of historic boats of all kinds – everything from Thames sailing barges, through classic ‘gentleman’s yachts’ of the 1920s and 30s right through to Royal Navy warships.
Dunkirk spirit of heroic Little Ships
Tribute to boats that rescued trapped soldiers from under Hitler’s nose
Learning to swim in the River Thames
From Tumblin Bay Weir to Desborough Cut, readers relive their memories of splashing around in the river for fun or with classes of youngsters from schools in the area
Tackling a strong eddy
Ron Stevens has contacted me from his home in Ashford to pass on a lovely story based on a would-be angling trip he experienced in 1942 whilst he was working as a Corporal Vehicle Mechanic serving with the Royal Army Service Corps in Feltham.
Walk yourself better
News of a couple of riverside walks taking place in the near future is top of the agenda this week.
Skating on thick ice
Amateur meteorologist Harry Kershaw from Manchester reckons this winter could be the coldest for 270 years and he says the Thames may freeze over. Judging from the weather over the last couple of weeks, he may not be too far out.