We used to go to dances at HMS Manatee in the Drill Hall, hoping to meet a sailor. One night a soldier said to me,
‘Come out with me tomorrow and I’ll take you to the Pictures. If I don’t turn up, you’ll know why.’
There were lots and lots of little boats outside the Pier – you could have walked across them. The next day they were all gone – it was D Day 1944. So many people were lost, so many people died. Blanche Kennard nee Dore b 1922
Tag Archives: Blanche Kennard
Pier Hotel: WWII, WRNS 1940s
During WWII, The Pier Hotel, now The George, was central office for ‘XDO West’ signals.
Navy at Yarmouth, Pier hotel
Signatures of WRNS, Marines and others stationed at Pier Hotel 1940s
Blanche Kennard: WWII, WRNS billets 1940s
My first billet was Gordon House in the High Street, (where Glasspool’s Chemist was, now Black rock Insurance). Years later I’d walk past and look at a window and think, that was my room. There was a sort of dormitory for seven WRNS on the top floor in the Pier Hotel (The George) and lots more at HMS Manatee ( Norton Holiday camp). I had my 21st birthday when I was stationed at The Pier Hotel.
Pier Hotel post card from Mike Holden
The central office was in the Pier Hotel, dealing with signals although we never knew much. It was ‘XDO West’ and the WRNS Officer in charge was named Greenshields. Blanche Kennard nee Dore b 1922
Navy at Yarmouth, Pier hotel
Blanche Kennard, Phil Kelsey, Eileen Smith: Trains 1940s
To get from the ferry to the station, people had to walk through the town, but there were porters to push their luggage from the Pier to the station. It’s not very far really. (A) It is on a wet day!(P.) Annette Haynes and Pat Burt b 1929
It used to cost 6d to catch the train to Freshwater to go to the Pictures at The Palace, then we’d walk back afterwards. Blanche Kennard nee Dore,b 1923 stationed at The Pier Hotel ( now The George) as a WRN in WWII from 1942.
The station master used to live in the house next door here. I can remember a Mr Dennett, because his daughter was very friendly with my sister Kate. They used to get about a bit together. Of course he never used to do a lot down here at the station, he was always down the pier. Phil Kelsey b 1920
A porter from the Pier met the trains and collected luggage on a hand truck which he pushed to and from the Pier. Mr. Orchard had a big old fashioned car – open at the front where the chauffeur sat – and he used to meet the trains to drive people round to the ferry. Eileen Smith nee Lansdowne b1921
Blanche Kennard: Shops, High Street, and buses 1950s 1970s
Bus in High Street 1970s : photo John Golding
The buses used to pass so close to the shop door at Higginbothams. One day when I was just paying for something at the counter, I let go of Colin’s hand, – he was only about 3 – to get my money out, and he ran to the door. It was open and the bus was going past. I just grabbed him in time. Oh, it did give me a scare.
Blanche Kennard nee Dore b 1923