DOCK PERMITS WORLD WAR II

Hi Colin, I used to spend many enjoyable hours chatting with your late father Bob about the history and goings on in Newhaven. I would be helping my father, Len, cleaning the lifeboat or boathouse, and invariably would be detailed to make the tea at which time your father would appear. He remembered working with my Grandfather, Albert and his brother Eddie, who were brought to Newhaven during the war from Vosper Thorneycrofts in Southampton to 'get the workshops up and running on a war footing'. Unfortunately because they were so labour orientated they ruffled quite a few feathers locally - Bob remembered my grandfather by his nickname of 'Joe's Mate' (Joe Stalin) almost to the point of communism, but he also did point out that the gang of workers from Thorneycrofts would work constantly over the course of a few days to get important repair work done, normally with the negotiated reward of a 48 hour pass to London.

Also, it was interesting talking with my late grand-father who was billeted at the Telscombe Cliffs Hotel and would walk to and from the marine workshops at the end of their shifts. It is because of his time in Newhaven - before being moved to Falmouth to do the same with their shipwrights - that I ended up being born and raised in Newhaven, with my late grandmother moving to Newhaven after the war and it being the holiday destination for the family from Southampton.

When my parents looked at moving away from Southampton in the '60's, Newhaven was their destination.

Really enjoying this website. Keep up the good work.

Hi Colin. I remember Bob very well, I was an apprentice carpenter under him at the Marine Workshops, he taught me all I know.[I think] Wonderful sense of humour. A lovely man who was so good to me.