The Family. I'm in the middle.
I was
Born on the 9th April 1925 at 123 High street, Stratford East London. There was mum (Winifred) and dad (Edmund), brothers Cyril, Ronald, Richard, Anthony, and
David, and sisters, Florence, Vera and
Doris (nicknamed Fairy because she was platinum blonde). Doris died at 7 years old, Ron
Died at 81, and Vera at 80. Mum & Dad died in 1960 and 1974 respectively.
We moved from Stratford to Dagenham in 1931. I went to Grafton road school and then to
Triptons. I left school at the age of 14, and between then and 16 I worked in Lowes hardware store Ley Street Ilford, Sainsbury’s High Road Ilford and Prices Bakeries in Oldchuch Road Romford. At 18 in March 1943 I volunteered and joined the Royal Navy.
10 weeks training then over to America on the QE 2 to commission a brand new ship in Boston
Bethlehem Shipyard, the ship was HMS Ekins, (Captain class Frigate ).
HMS Ekins
The war for me war pretty varied. I did Atlantic convoys for a year; and was part of the escort during D Day (we were shelled each time we went through Dover straits, but we never suffered any hits). In early 1945 I were sent to Harwich to work from there on patrols off the, French, Dutch and Belgian
Coasts.
At one time, we sunk some perculiar little vessels and picked up 3 survivors, who we helped aboard. One of them was very belligerent, he stuck out his arm and shouted "Hiel Hitler!" and spat on our deck. Well he had to make a second attempt to board the ship and this was a little more respectful.
On April 16th we were on our way out to take our position off the Belgian coast when we struck a
Mine aft, the chap I was talking to at the time had his leg broken in 2 places, and I was blown 20ft in the air.
A few minutes later another mine struck us forward. Three main guns were out of action, so was the Radar and the
Anti-Submarine device. We lay there helpless for a couple of hours, by then a little bit of steam was
raised on one screw, we managed to creep along at about 2 to 3 knots.
That night we were attacked by E boats but the MTBs kept them off . It was a bit like Firework
Night with tracers bouncing over us, however we survived thanks to those MTBs.
The Medway Queen towed us in the next morning. We were sent back to our different depots and poor old Ekins was sent for scrap.
Next I was drafted to Malta, ended up in Toranto Italy, and took position of Quartermaster on the Aphis a river Gunboat. I was drafted back home with an ear infection.
After a short while I was demobbed and went back to Prices Bakeries.
That’s when I met Betty who was to become my wife a year later. We now have 3 lovely sons who have been a great credit to us: Richard Brian, Paul (who used to walk around at the age of four singing "Come Pauly Faithful “, then lastly there was Christopher Simon.
Us - at one of the family weddings - over 30 years ago now.
We have a lot to be thankful for including our grandchildren, and greatgrandaughter
Once I married I decided to take up a trade so I went to work for FC Dyson grocery and provisions and within a year was managing the shop I sarted at. I was with them for just over 3 years, then I heard that there was a vacancy in Alexanders shop
Near home. I applied and got the job and spent 3 years with them. Unfortunately the governers
Fancy woman thought she was running the shop, and after one or two arguments I threw her out.
This of course didn’t sit too well with him and although I was successful in increasing
Trade he eventually got his own back and found a reason to fire me.
FC Dysons asked me to go back which I did but left 6 months later as they didn’t keep a promise to make me manager of one of their shops. I was then reccomended to Taylor Bros’ who took me on to manage their shop in high road Woodgreen
London.
After some successful results, they offered me a big shop in Holloway Road
London, and promised to find a house for me plus paying all removals costs.
Having been advised instead to go on the road as a commercial traveller, I took the advice and got a position with Gross Cash Registers where I enjoyed 10 successful years.
From there I went to Nuttals & Rileys toffees but they never came up with the pay that was promised so I left. I enjoyed my time there although I now have false teeth! My biggest order was for 2.5 tons. This was reputed to be the biggest ever order in the South East!
I then started my own central heating business, went into liquidation 10 years later through being too
trusting. The staff said that I was the best governor that they had worked for, and then proceeded
to rob me blind of materials.
In 1981 I secured a job as a wine consultant with Pieroth Wines.
This was very enjoyable and lasted 10 years. Sadly it ended on an unhappy note where I was sacked for a minor discression. I received a comfortable settlement for wrongful dismissal.
.
I then retired and took to making chess sets which I sold at Boot Fairs.
I've always been a keen golfer, my best handicap was 8 although it's wee bit higher now. I played tennis for many years in the Medway league but a stroke put an end to that as I couldn't keep my balance during fast turns. That was quite a blow.
My interests now are Golf, UFOs, Crop Formations, and spiritualism.
Dring my retirement I have written 4 stories which have never been anywhere near a
Publisher yet.
The stories are Room 32; The Badge of Barlok; Anecdotes from life; and
Who wants to be a millionaire.
In May 2001 I did a One Man Show in Rochester, and entertained an audience for 90 minutes.
The act consisted of Anecdotes, Jokes, Songs and I signed off with a poem, I was 76 at the time. I’ve always believed in the adage:
“If you don’t use it you lose it".
I'm now the ripe old age of 78, and dispite the body slowing me down at bit my mind is still very active and I learn hard at new subjects that interest me.
I recently discovered computing on the Internet which I think is absolutely marvelous and now love to make contact and commmunicate with people via Email.
If you would like to make contact with me then please feel free to do so - see the contacts page on this site.
Richard Hollingworth
