Memories from 60 years ago

By residents of St Dominick past and present

Let’s party!Streets were closed and lined with trestle

tables and seats. All the ladies cooked. There was bunting everywhere

- even the lamp posts were decorated.

Everyone had red, white and blue hats, special aprons for the ladies and

special coronation paper cups.I still have happy memories of the day

and a glass souvenir bowl which belonged to my mother.

Linda Fry

With my East London neighbours in 1953 Northbank Road, Walthamstow, London E17

Linda Fry

I went as the Queen (I was six)

My dress was made from crepe

paper and my crown made from a Persil washing

powder box I won 1st prize

much to my family's delight

Linda Fry

There was a fancy dress competition for the children Everything had to be made from paper or cardboard

The boy next door was a soldier

My little sister (aged 4) went as a rosette

Listening to the radio

In those days most people listened on the radio. Radios were operated by 'accumulators' which

were square chargeable glass containers holding acid and rain water. They had to be charged at Fred

Rogers’ or Roberts’ garage at Hunters Oak.

John Frantom

Radios were only turned on for the news, weekend entertainment and

big events like the coronation.On Saturdays most people had

them charged up.

The day of the Coronation

I went down to Towella Villa and watched the Coronation with Miss Trenance on her TV

- it was just the two of us.

We had lunch - I spent the whole day with her.

I remember the tinned peaches and tinned cream which was a luxury

because rationing was still on.

Monica Frantom

The day of the Coronation John Frantom

I was shoeing a horse called “Miss Finny “ for the Barretts to go racing

at Newton Abbott the next day.

Francis Barrett and I stopped as we were called in to watch the

Coronation on the Barretts’ TV. After that we shoed another 4 horses

that we took to the races the next day.

A memorable lesson

I was at Delaware school in a cookery lesson. The teacher came in and told everyone to

“shush” and then announced “the King is dead”

All the girls were shocked.

I remember the date (6th Feb 1952) cos it was Nigel Hunn’s birthday

but I can't remember what I was cooking!

Audrey Stidwell

National Service Dave Stidwell

I was doing National Service in the Army in the Woolwich Garrison.We had to march through London across Tower Bridge and then to Westminster Abbey.

Our role was to test the seating which wasmade with scaffolds and boards. There were 50/60 troops who all had tomake sure the seating was safe.

National Service Dave Stidwell

2 to 3 days later (on the day of the actualCoronation) the Garrison was in Germany.We were offered to watch it on TV but I(and a few others!) went off to the river.

When we got back, we asked what the coverage was like. The others, who had watched, said they couldn't see anything for the picture interference!

She flew back in what?

Yes - I was around in 1952, aged 7 but I don’t remember much about the day the King died, and

Queen Elizabeth II acceded to the throne. I remember she was in Kenya at the time,

staying at a place called Tree Tops (was it a tree house?) and I think she flew back to the UK on a

Super Constellation 4- engine, piston engine airliner, but that was about it.

Robin Woods

Our very own fly-past

The Coronation was much more exciting because I was given a model of the

Coronation Coach complete with 8 horses in Dinky Toy scale, and, for about 2 weeks beforehand, the RAF and the Fleet Air Arm

practiced their fly-past right over our school! The teachers knew that they couldn’t

compete with this marvellous spectacle, and they would release us into the playground

when the first aircraft was heard.

Robin Woods

Those wonderful flying machines

There were, I think, between 100 and 200 aircraft involved, including many of the types which had

seen service in World War II, including:Spitfires and Hurricanes and all sorts of bombers

and other aircraft built by all the old British manufacturers including:

Avro, DeHaviland, Vickers, Airspeed, Percival, Handly-Page and others, together with a number

of American built types.

Robin Woods

Plane spotting

For some of us, of course, the highlight was the new jet fighters:

the Gloster Meteor and the DeHaviland Vampire

The expert plane spotters among us could even distinguish the Navy’s variant, the Sea Venom

from the RAF Vampire.Were the V bombers, Vulcan Victor and Valliant

around at that time, or not? Oh dear, I can’t remember, but it was a long time ago!

Robin Woods

Boring, boring, boring...

My Dad worked for the Rank Organisation, who had some offices overlooking part of the route of

the Coronation procession, and so we travelled into London on the morning of the big day.

Father had arranged for us to watch the procession from an upstairs window.My two brothers couldn’t come because

they were too young!! We took up our position, and then we waited, and waited....

Robin Woods

Yawn,Yawn,Yawn...

....and waited. My goodness, it was boring! We watched as the servicemen marched into

position to line the route about two yards apart, although I don’t think anyone was particularly

concerned about a terrorist attack.

We watched as the pavements of the street below filled up with spectators, 8 or 10 deep

in places, but we would get a better view

Robin Woods

Will he drop the crown?

There was a black-and-white TV with a 12 inch screen in the corner of the room, on which the grown-ups watched the Coronation Service,

but I didn’t find it very exciting.

When the Archbishop lifted the crown high above the Queen’s head, I remember hoping

that he wouldn’t drop it, and wondering if it would knock out the Queen, if he did!

Robin Woods

The Procession

Then the Service ended and the Queen and the Duke left for the procession, and we waited and

waited for it to reach our vantage point.Being the smallest, I was pushed to the front,and told not to fall out of the window! Whenthe procession came past it was, of course,

magnificent, with the Queen and Duke smiling and waving from the carriage, the Household

Cavalry in attendance, hundreds of servicemen marching, bands playing, etc, etc…

Robin Woods

Excitement over

When it had all gone, we went home. I can’t remember whether or not

we saw the fly-past.

We might have been on an underground train at the time, but it didn’t matter

because, for the last two weeks, we had been treated to our own regular

fly-past at school.

Robin Woods

The Queen’s Accession

In Feb 1952 I was working in County Hall (London) when a taxi driver came

and told the “messengers” to tell us that King George VI had died.

The messengers went all round the departments in County Hall letting

everyone know what had happened.

Win Foweraker

The Queen’s Accession

King George’s untimely death meant that Princess Elizabeth acceeded to the throne.

At the time she was out in Kenya with her new husband, the Duke of Edinburgh.

They returned very quickly and arrived dressed in funeral clothes.

Win Foweraker

We were married in

March 1953, and, in that

June, the Queen was crowned in

Westminster Abbey

Win and Frank Foweraker

Even though we lived in London, on the Isle of Dogs, we only listened to the coronation on

the wireless and saw all the photographs later

in the newspapers.

Win Foweraker

I have a few souvenirs

Royal River Pageant

Six weeks after the coronation, the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh went on a Royal River

Pageant from Greenwich to Westminster.

Frank, my husband, was a crane driver in the docks and he took me to where his

crane was. We climbed to the cab and had a unique bird’s-eye view of this procession up the river.

Win Foweraker

The Coronation on the box

I was about 5 years old.

I was living at Trehill Cross, and I remember going with my mother to Pendeen - a house at Boetheric, owned by Frances and Lewis Reep (where Brian and Christine Jones now live)

- to watch the coronation on television.

We had no TV at home.

Hilary Bennet

The Coronation on the box

I have a vague idea of a roomful of people trying to get a view of the event

on a tiny black and white set, about the size of a shoebox.

As I was quite short-sighted (undiagnosed at that time)

it was all a bit of a blur (literally)!

Hilary Bennet

The Coronation party

There was a village party in the football field The children were all given a mug

- I can't find mine now!!

However, I do have a glass plate commemorating the Diamond Jubilee

of Queen Victoria (1897). And NO!!!

- I wasn't there to collect it in person!

Hilary Bennet

Why was Ollie chosen?

I was living on the outskirts of London.Ollie, a pupil from my school in Chigwell,

Essex, was chosen to go to sit in the specially constructed rows of seats near to Westminster Abbey. I supposed that

every school was able to send somebody but I don’t remember to be certain.

We were all very envious of him, and he certainly appeared to have enjoyed the day.

Judy Foweraker

The Coronation on TV

Perhaps it was a public holiday; we had a day off from school, and I was very

lucky to be invited, together with other children from the road where I lived, to watch

the ceremony on a neighbour’s television!

We all squeezed into their front room. The very small screen looked out from a wooden

cupboard. But it was high enough for us all to be able to see the black and white picture.

Judy Foweraker

The Coronation on TV

It was very exciting to see all the pageantry and the

Queen looking magnificent, especially when she was wearing

the crown! I also remember the wonderful

music, and afterwards being given some orange juice with

cake or biscuits.

Judy Foweraker

The Coronation

Dad had found a really nice picture of Princess Elizabeth and

put it into a large frame, which he put in our front room window on the day - people seemed to do that kind of thing back then.

There were several street parties later in the afternoon and evening.

Judy Foweraker

Watching on the “Big Screen”

About a week or two (it may have been longer) after the actual day, the local

cinema showed a coloured version of the ceremony, which I went to see

with Mum and Dad.

The picture was very clear and it was all quite beautiful but ....

Judy Foweraker

Watching on the “Big Screen”

.... but I think I was more thrilled to see the queen actually crowned (or ‘coronated’ as I called it)

at the time it happened – even though it was on that very grainy,

black and white small screen.

A big ‘thank you’ to my friend Maxine’s Mum and Dad!

Judy Foweraker

Some of Norma

Chapman’s souvenirs

Hologram images of the Queen and Duke

Coronation celebrations

I was a young teenager living at Landulph.The Parish held a Celebration Tea

in Landulph Primary School.Everyone enjoyed a lovely afternoon tea

and the youngsters and teenagers etc gathered in the field opposite the

Methodist Chapel for an afternoon of fun, Pony Rides, See Saws,

Greasy Pole, and the rest...

Betty Behennah

Coronation celebrations

A few of my friends and I were given baskets of food from the Tea Party to give to those elderly parishioners

unable to walk to the Party.

What a lovely, exciting and happy time we all had at Landulph, where I grew up

and still love going back to join in festivities with old friends.

Betty Behennah

The young Queen meets Brown Owl

and Brownie Doreen Behennah

who is standing nearest to the camera

Watching the Coronation on the TV

I lived in London at the time, but did not go up to town to watch the procession,

but watched the coronation on my grandparents’ television.

Certain parts remain in my memory – the procession up the aisle and the actual anointing and crowning.

Di Axtell

Watching the Coronation on the TV

There were several of us in a small room watching a very small black and white TV.

The atmosphere in the room was very jolly and obviously everyone was quite

excited by the event.

For me it was a “first” royal coronation, but the “second “ for my mother,

and the “third” for my father and grandparents.

Di Axtell

Our street party

The second part of the celebrations was the street party. Organised by the ladies, including my

mother, there was no red tape about closing the road as there were very few cars to worry about.

Trestle tables were obtained from somewhere and everyone brought tablecloths.

Food was made including sandwiches, with tea, soft drinks and a few beers for the men!

Di Axtell

Our street party

Us children were in fancy dress – me the “Order of the Bath”

We all wore red, white and blue tiara-shaped hats made of cardboard.

Red, white and blue cardboard cups, napkins and straws were available for us to use.

I kept mine for about 40 years until mother had a clear-out and threw the lot away!

Di Axtell

I was also lucky enough to go to another street party, held on the next day,

on my mother’s cousin’s street.

There was no fancy dress this time but food and entertainment

– notably a “Punch & Judy” show.

My second street party Di Axtell

More of Norma Chapman’s souvenirs

Death of King George VI....

My parents heard the news of King George VI from the announcement transmitted on the

wireless on the morning of 6th February 1952.

Although the King had been ill, everyone was very shocked by his sudden death. Mother and Father knelt on the kitchen

floor and said a prayer for him.

Christine Cross

Death of King George VI....

They then stood and sang the National Anthem and, in spite of it being mid morning, they poured a glass of port

and toasted the new Queen Elizabeth and said “God Bless Her”

I was a 10 year old child but I remember feeling very sad and being extremely moved watching my parents’ obvious

emotion and spontaneous grief.

Christine Cross

Death of King George VI....

Every home had drawn curtains as a mark of respect until after the King’s

burial on the 15th February.

Elizabeth was immediately declared Queen and, when she arrived back from Kenya, she took the Royal Oath which

sealed her accession to the throne.

Christine Cross

Death of King George VI....

The newspapers were full of photographs of the royal family who were all

dressed in black, looking visibly shaken and in mourning.

I remember thinking how tiny our new Queen looked and I felt she was so very brave.

Christine Cross

Street party

Queen Elizabeth was crowned on the 2nd June 1953. It was a time of great rejoicing - street

parties and celebrations took place everywhereMy home was in a terrace of 30 houses.

A barrier was placed at both ends. Chairs and tables were brought out of homes and placed

in a long line in the centre of the road.Tablecloths, bunting and china were produced

from every home.

Christine Cross

Mothers had been saving ration-book tokens for

months and baking for

days before the event.

Street party Christine Cross

Street party

The result was a table groaning with homemade fare. Dandelion and burdock, lemonade and limeade pop were served

in copious amounts to the children.Union Jack flags hung from every home.The public house at the end of the road

rolled out a barrel of beer - all the dads were in good spirits!

Christine Cross

Street party

Mr Matthews, the grocer at the other end of the terrace, made sure we had extra goodies.

A couple of pianos were pushed out from homes and were played constantly throughout the day. Young men and women danced the “jitterbug”

and the jive – I thought they were very glamorousEveryone was invited to sing and we all did – after

all we were in Wales!

Christine Cross

Street party

Mothers had made fancy dress for their children and we were all dressed in a variety

of weird and wonderful outfits.

Parents dressed in their “Sunday best” and we all wore crowns as hats.

Grannies and grandads pushed out comfortable armchairs into front gardens to

enjoy the day in comfort.

Christine Cross

Street party

All children were presented with a five shilling crown coin (25 pence) as a

commemorative gift.We were not able to watch the coronation on

television - we had no access to a set.The wireless remained on all day describing

what was happening in Westminster and how the day was progressing.

Christine Cross

Street party

The day ended for the children when we eventually fell asleep and we were taken

into our homes to bed.Our parents cleared up and congratulated

themselves on a successful party, sitting outside in the gardens and gossiping into

the early hours.

Christine Cross

The Queen was so beautiful in the photographs in the newspapers the following day, and,

as an 11 year old girl, I thought how tiny her small waist looked in her fine gown and robes.

Prince Philip was very handsome.

We all felt that, somehow, we too had been present at the coronation and

celebrated with them.

Street party Christine Cross

Petersham Mews, Kensington, SW7

Ann Savage

I was glad to be there...

We were woken at 5.15am and joined other St Paul’s choristers

on the bus for Westminster Abbey to sing at the Queen’s Coronation,

clutching cassocks, surplices with sponge-bags around our waists

containing lunch!8am - reached the Abbey.

Jessop Price

At Westminster Abbey

We were shown to the top of temporary scaffolding almost touching

the Abbey’s vaulted roof. We looked down on the conductor and the orchestra positioned on the organ screen.

We had hours to wait for the Ceremony to begin.

We watched the nobility, in their robes and coronets, taking their pre-assigned seats.

Jessop Price

At Westminster Abbey

We performed all the Coronation music, starting with Parry’s “I was Glad”

We enjoyed a wonderful bird’s-eye view of the solemn service.

After the service, I remember that the nobility took ages to leave!

At 4pm - we were finally allowed to climb down and leave the Abbey.

6pm – arrived back at school.

Jessop Price

St Dominic celebrations

Weeks before the coronation our mother Marie Martin was busy making us our outfits

for St. Dominic’s carnival.The carnival was held in front of Fred Rogers’s

store - now The Meadows - and long shadows on the photos show that it must

have been in the evening.We were to be dressed up for the

mounted or horseback class.

Virginia Spiers

Their outfits were made of

pale turquoise

taffeta with frills edged in

scarlet and with sequins sewn on their pointed hats.

Virginia Spiers

My sister Sally and cousin Kathryn Reep were to ride Coffee (our skewbald pony) as circus performers.

St Dominic celebrations

Mum led the pony and made herself a cow girl’s costume with fringes, beads, braid and charms sewn onto a green waistcoat and brown skirt.

She also wore our father’s stetson hat.

Corker or Chorister the white bull terrier had a special red and green frill around his neck but our

daddy had to take him home in disgrace as he was jealous and aggressive towards other dogs!

Virginia Spiers

A Queen “Trooping the Colour”

My outfit (the Queen in full regalia) copied from the cover of a

biscuit tin, comprised of:- scarlet felt tunic with a navy blue skirt

- blue sash of the garter- epaulettes

- white gloves- buttons etc from Uncle Peter’s war-time uniform

- mock astrakhan hat with Prince of Wales feathers- my wellington boots

Virginia Spiers

St Dominic celebrations

The horse (I think it was Miss Muffet) had brasses on her bridle and a maroon

saddlecloth, again copied from the biscuit tin, embroidered with symbols of the UK and

edged in blue with a yellow fringe.

Everybody thought my rig was the best but I was disqualified from first prize as it was

judged an offence to impersonate the Queen!

Virginia Spiers

I was disqualified for “impersonating the Queen” Virginia Spiers

St Dominic celebrations

In the morning we went, with many relatives and neighbours, to the house of our uncle and aunt in Boetheric (Ernest and Nancy Reep) to

watch events in London on their television.

The screen was very small, encased in a big mahogany box with double doors and we

could just about discern the Queen, crowned and waving from her coach through a

snowstorm of interference.

Virginia Spiers

St Dominic celebrations

At some point we children all received our official coronation mugs but

I cannot remember whether or not there was a proper tea.

I was probably too excited at the thought of dressing up in Mum’s lovely outfit, having to appear as riding side-saddle and not falling

off as I “saluted the crowds”!

Virginia Spiers

Memories of a centenarian

The night before the King died I remember that it was saying on the news that the

King was passing quietly away.There wasn't a day off for the Coronation

like we have Royal celebrations now.

Everyone was working - I was working then at Fred Rogers’ Stores, which is now

The Meadows bungalows.

Herbert Buckle

Memories of a centenarian

It would have been flower time and strawberry time so very busy.

I remember that Ann and Dawn went to Meadowcrest above Radland to watch it on

Fred Rogers’ TV. There were only about 4 or 5 TV's in the village then.

I remember a little while before the Coronation that Moons of Plymouth came up and gave demonstrations of TV's in the Chapel Room.

Herbert Buckle

Cricket Flannels Tony Lee

My first recollection of this momentous day was the pair of long white cricket flannels laid out on the end of my bed, having attained the ripe old age of nine.

The cricket flannels were not the only new thing in the house that day …

Our first TV Tony Lee

A couple of days earlier we had acquired our first black and white television set.

This was a large walnut cabinet with the screen behind two full length doors.

My parents were hosting a party, for relatives and friends who did not have access to a TV, to watch the Coronation live.

The streets were deserted Tony Lee

The big task was to collect my grandparents from few miles away. I noticed the lack of traffic and people. It was as if a curfew had been imposed.

After a few hundred yards we did spot someone waiting at a bus stop. The buses were not running that day so we gave the person a lift to the next town.

Warming the valves Tony Lee

Arrived home to find the our guests, around twenty or so, all squeezed into the dining room with all chairs in the house pressed into service. Much to my disgust I had to sit on the floor and tried not to get my white trousers dirty!The television was duly turned on just a little before the time specified. You had to allow time for the valves to “warm-up” to get a picture.

Watching in silence Tony Lee

The Test card came on to much applause!

The programme started with the procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey. The actual Coronation service was watched in complete silence by all.

The picture remained fairly good, though the quality was not as good as it is today – no HD then!

The BBC needed a rest Tony Lee

After the procession back to Buckingham Palace, the BBC closed down transmission for an hour.

The television was switched off to “let it cool down”.

Lunch was cheese and onion and bacon and egg pies.

It was all over too quickly Tony Lee

Puddings followed and back on with the television to watch the crowds outside the Palace and the appearance on the balcony of the Queen and the Royal Family.

Once again the broadcast shut down again and the party broke up. Tea followed and so to bed as it was school the following morning!

A trip to London

I travelled from Cornwall to London, quite an adventure 60 years ago.

My friend Doreen Reep went with me and just as we were about to board the train at North Road Station her father said, “mind you take

care of her as you’re older than she is”

My Auntie and sister met us at Paddington Station.

Norma Chapman

A trip to London

We had gone to London for two weeks and intended seeing and going to as

many places as we could.

Then the excitement began as London was buzzing with festivities and

decorations everywhere.

I’d never seen anything like it before in my life!

Norma Chapman

A trip to London

Coronation day, June 2nd 1953 was the highlight - we rose early and left at 4.30am.

We knew it was going to be a long day. So I said “I’m going to wear my slippers and take my highest heeled court shoes to put on

when the procession comes by”

My sister laughed and said “you won’t dare”. I said “oh yes I would” and I did!

Norma Chapman

A trip to London

I wore blue slippers with fur around the top, and my mackintosh and carried my shoes as we walked through Hyde Park in the rain.

I was on the laughing side at 2am next morning when we at last got to bed. My feet were fine!

It had been a wonderful day!

Norma Chapman

A trip to London

We stood in the Mall under the trees on the left as you look towards Buckingham Palace. The

colours were like a rainbow - out of this world.

The Queen of Tonga sat in an open carriage in all her robes waving with the rain just

pouring down on her, as she saidshe wanted to see the people and she wanted the people to see her, so she

refused having any cover!

Norma Chapman

Outside the Palace

There was a sea of umbrellas as it was raining.You just shared with whoever needed shelter.The Queen just looked too perfect to be real.

Later we walked up to be around the fountain outside the Palace.

Then the Royal family came onto the balcony and people were cheering and dancing

around the fountain until it got so thickly packed you just had to stand in one place.

Norma Chapman

I still have the outfit I wore for that

special day in 1953

But which one is me?

Norma ChapmanAfter sightseeing in London all day, my friend and I had

promised to meet my sister and Auntie at the Drury Lane Theatre at a certain time. We asked a policeman the way. He looked at us and said “I’ve no idea as I’ve only been drafted up to London for the Coronation - I come from Cornwall”

We said “so do we! - what part of Cornwall?”. He said “St Ive near Liskeard, I don’t expect you’ve heard

of it” Of all the policemen in London, how strange that we

chose him! And we made it to the theatre on time – just!

A Local Bobby!

Norma Chapman

Norma’s sister

Winnie

Norma’s friend

Doreen Reep

Winnie’s friend

Hammersmith Palais Norma Chapman

While still in London we visited the Hammersmith Palais with its revolving stage.

It meant the music was continuous.

Almost the whole place was full of men and women in either Army or Navy uniforms.

When the music started for the next dance the floor filled up and, in those days,

people danced all the same steps all going in one direction.

Hammersmith Palais Norma Chapman

It was really wonderful to see – it looked as if the whole floor was moving.

We came back to Stockwell, where my Auntie lived, at midnight or gone - something

you wouldn’t dream of doing these days - two girls on our own!

We also went to Battersea Park and had a whale of a time on the big dipper

and had photos taken.

Elizabeth of EnglandNow can this tale unfoldThe first lady of our landShe has a heart of gold

A queen who is wonderful,Loyal and good,

One who is trusted And understood

With her crown and sceptre,Her robe and her train

God bless ElizabethLong may she reign.

A coronation poem by E.G. Meredith

Thanks for

Your memoriesThose with long memories

Loan of equipment The National Trust

Co-ordinating the projectAnn Murphy

Gathering informationNina Cox

Slide showKevin Owen