Archive (334 life histories found)
'In Rome, we stayed in a convent and slept in dormitories and raided the nuns' kitchen at night.'
Growing up I didn't have a favourite toy apart from some games like _�� snakes _��n' ladders or ludo'. Neither did I have a pet! My most significant relationships and memories of my childhood were being a member of a choir, a junior one…
Tags: ballroom dancing, Barry's Tea, Choir, cinema, Creamery Butter, Fashion, friendship, Games, Hobbies, Ludo, Music, Pets, Photography, Pope, religion, Rome, Snakes and Ladders, toys
'We were punished by being put on latrine duties for the next week.'
Another memory of my childhood days was my time as a foundation member of the 78th Scout Troup, initially as a cub. Judge Johnston was the scout master assisted by Brian Rankin (a solicitor), whilst cub master was David Harrison (who had a cafթ in…
"Some of the games we played were 'I packed my bag to go to Paris and in it I put...'"
Some of the games we played were 'I packed my bag to go to Paris and in it put' The first person started selected an item, the next had to repeat what the first person said and add another item and so on. Anyone missing an item had to drop out of…
Tags: childhood, Games, Ludo, snakes'n'ladders
'We had plenty of relatives nearby.'
With Aunt Essie, Uncle Sam and their children, Vera and David, Aunt Flo, Uncle Jim and their offspring, Betty and Norman, Aunt May and Uncle James with their children Alex, Jim and Nancy, and unmarried Uncle David, all living in Belfast, we had…
'I always remember that for one year I was judged to be the best boy when I was about twelve years old.'
My memories of childhood centre very much around my home and of the very good mum and dad I had, and along with my two sisters -Violet older than me and Phyllis younger, made a very happy family. Mother and father slept in the front double bedroom…
Tags: bath, best clothes, father, house, mother, Sunday school
'You just pulled this out and their yale key was at the end for you to open the door and go in. I don't think anyone would trust doing that today!'
As youngsters, our main playing area was the street. The top of the lamp post was where we attached a rope to swing round it and the young girls loved it. The lamp post also acted as a wicket when we played cricket, whilst the middle of the street…
Tags: football, friends, Primary school
'The question of whether you were a Protestant, a Catholic or a Jew mattered not, as if anyone needed help, it was always forthcoming from both old and young.'
My childhood memories are all centred on 17, Skegoneill Drive, Belfast, where I lived with my parents and sisters, Violet and Phyllis. I have no recollection of Gainsborough Drive, where I was born, but the good fortune I have enjoyed all my life…
Tags: Belfast, Catholic, Jewish, neighbours, Protestant
'I thought I was a princess as, for the first time, I had the luxury of a bedroom all to myself.'
Shortly after the war ended,my mum and dad moved the family to a brand new prefab bungalow complete with hot and cold running water,a bathroom and even a fridge. I thought I was a princess as for the first time,I had the luxury of a bedroom all to…
Tags: fridge, own bedroom, running water
'It was like a carnival. Everyone could breathe again, the peace had finally come.'
In 1944 my father was lucky enough to be stationed in Ballyhalbert with the R.A.F. We all went as a family and lived in a coastguard cottage right on the beach. It was idyllic. I went to the little country school in the village. We only had two…
Tags: carnival, end, grnadmother, parties, war
'My life meandered along in this innocent way until I was six years old and then something happened to change things forever.'
My life meandered along in this innocent way until I was six years old and then something happened to change things forever. I came home from school one day to find a little stranger in the house. My young baby brother,Kenneth. My six year old…