Tag Archives: Di Broomfield

Phil Kelsey: WWII outbreak 1939

The day war broke out I was up the river sailing in my boat. It didn’t sink in that it would be anything like it turned out to be.  That was 1939, I had to register in March 1940 then I was called up in June 1940.
My brother George and Newt, both were reserved occupationists because they were builders you see. George went into the Navy much later, because he was Reserved.  Newt was building a lot of these air raid shelters and George was working for Bucketts – most of his time was spent working up the Needles Battery.  They did a lot of work up there.    Phil Kelsey b 1920

Builders 1930s

Builders 1930s Photo Di Broomfield

 

Shops: High Street, Whitewoods, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s

Harry Lee had had what was more or less a department store in the two storey brick building opposite the Police Station.  Godwins, who had a shop in Freshwater, then had it, and were struggling a bit, so my father took over the lease from them in 1951. It was the year of a big Poliomyelitis outbreak and the Daily Mirror carried a headline calling the Island ‘Polio Island’, so no one came for holidays and it nearly finished our business.
Edward Whitewood

High Street, Whitewoods 1970s with Ruth Mills in doorway

High Street, Whitewoods 1970s with Ruth Mills in doorway Photo M. Scott

When I passed the 11 Plus – the scholarship, we bought my uniform from Whitewoods. They stocked our blazers and uniforms for Newport Grammar School.
Diana Broomfield nee Ryall b 1942

Ruth Mills at work at Whitewoods, High Street

Ruth Mills at work at Whitewoods, High Street photo : Ruth Mills