Author Archives: Tony

Fathers Day – Bill Timmins (1916 – 1986)

Posted on by
1

Today on Fathers Day I am remembering my father William George TIMMINS who was born 20th May 1916 in Chester.  He died in 1986 and memories of him are slowly fading.  There is a photograph however that rekindles memories; it is one that mum always had around the house until she passed away in 2008.  This was of my dad aged about 27, he was in the Royal Navy; it was taken during the second world war when he was stationed in Gibraltar (c1943).

WGT – Gibraltar (c1943)
Bill TIMMINS
CPO Writer RN
1940 -1946
From his WW2 service record,
also a dictionary he used during the war,
these were his postings:
    HMS Royal Arthur
    HMS Glendower
    HMS Drake
    MS Sobieski (Polish)
    HMS Cormerant – Gibraltar
    HMS Ariguani – Gibraltar
    HMS Highlander
    HMS Owl
—– Happy Fathers Day Dad —–

Sentimental Sunday – A Day at the Seaside

Posted on by
2
Here I am sitting in the house on this miserable Sunday in June watching the rain bouncing off the patio floor outside, it is 16°c and I have two layers of clothes on.   I haven’t been very active on the blogging front lately as I have been taking advantage of the dry weather to paint the outside of the house – that all stopped today though!
Feeling a bit sentimental today so have been looking at a Picasa slideshow of some old photo’s.  I decided to do a quick blog after seeing a photo of my paternal grandparents enjoying a day at the seaside.
 
My paternal grandparents: 
Bill and Annie TIMMINS
William TIMMINS (1889-1971) 
Annie HAYES (1887-1958)
Date: estimated late 1920’s
Location: probably North Wales




I have a number of photo’s with Bill and Annie in several seaside locations, always with trousers rolled up and dress hitched up, paddling in the sea – no bathing costumes.  Note that Bill was also wearing a shirt & tie, a waistcoat and long jacket, with handkerchief in top pocket and pocket watch.  At least it wasn’t raining! 
Judging by the pier in the background the location would appear to be the North Wales coast somewhere between Rhyl and Llandudno.  
Bill was an Engine Driver for the GWR (Great Western Railway) and would have been allowed travel concession passes, so they probably travelled by rail.   Annie was in service as a Cook for the Aldred family at Littleton Old Hall, Christleton, Chester.  This was likely to be a Sunday when they were both not working.