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Memories of times past by James Hill I was not born in Liverpool but Rainhill but Liverpool has figured very much in my early years. My mother was born in Liverpool, Edge Hill to be precise. He father, my grandfather, James William (Bill)Payne lived at Chatsworth Street which has long since disappeared. He was born in Oswestry in Shropshire in 1880 and work for the london North Western Railway until his retirement wich ill health during the 2nd World War. He worked his way up from shunter to Tunnel Mouth Inspector at Edge Hill. He told the story of finding money on the ground as he walked the tunnel only to find he had a hoke in his trouser pocket. He was knocked down by an express train and worked for a number of days with a factured spine. He survived and enjoyed his retirement like so many from Liverpool in North Wales. My grandmother, Bill's wife, was born Edith Mary Shuker in Chatsworth Street, Her parents ironically also came from Shropshire. My mother thought that Liverpool was one of the world's great cities and she tried to convey that feeling to us. Most of what I remember has gone but it is still there in my mind. The trips along the Overhead Railway ftom Pier Head to Gladstone Dock. Seeing the great ships of the world. Americo Vespucci, the Italian sail traing ship, the Empress of Canada upside down and burst out, I believe in Canada West Dock, and HMS Arc Royal in Gladstone Graving Dock. Even the floating stage at the Pierhead has gone. Nothing matches that feeling of the stage moving. The smell of the ferry engines and the salt water is still in the memories. The ferry to New Brighton for the beach or to Wallesey or Birkenhead to visit relatives. My aunt was a Liverpool city councillor. A pity she was a tory. I remember nursing a man who was severely ill with lung and heart damage which caused hin to be confused. One day he talked of a land mine hitting a college or school and about 300 where killed. Everyone thought he was rambling again. It rang a belll with me as it was the nstory my grandmother told me. I think the college was the Durning Holt but I have not been able to find out about it on the net. Other sad memories are of the churches as bomb shell or just the empty spaces of bomb sites. Good memories are also important. Going on stage at St george's Hall for my Church of England Temperance Society prise of the opening of the nave of the Anglican Catherdral in the 50s. Even using a platform ticket to travel from Rainhill to Lime Street is a thing of the past. One of my sons rang me from Liverpool to tell me about this marvellous buildinh he had seen. It was St George's. He was surprised that I knew about. He great comment was on first seeing the Mesey - "That is a river". What other accolade do you need and another generation will have great memories of a great city. Jim Hill Enter your story Back to main stories page |
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