I was born in 1939, and lived at 21 Ross Avenue, Dunston. I can recall some of my neighbours at that time, Freddy Parker lived at No. 19, he was a Merchant Seaman, as was my father, The Robsons lived at No. 23, Ernie being the eldest child, Margaret and twins Sid & John. Mrs. Harbottle lived futher down the street and dear old Mrs & Mrs Peacock lived across the road in the cottages.
We had an Anderson Air raid shelter in the back garden, where I spent my first birthday. Harry Harbottle once let me ride on his sledge, a terrifing experience. My mother did most of shopping on Ravenswood Road, Walter Wilson's the butchers, Prouds Electric shop just across the road. Metcalfes Grocers on Barry Street, he was a tall thin, bespectacled man with a young daughter, He had a box of Monoply on display on a top shelf, price £1, most of the shelves were bare.
I attended Dunston Hill School, my first impression of Mrs Hancy's class was a pile of toys.I remember teacher Mr Stewart, who made the headlines when he found an injured baby deer. sed to practise his caning technique on me just about every morning. Mr Crozier the Geology teacher.

We used to get Holicks tablets, and cocoa mixed with sugar as we sat in the air raid shelter with our gas masks dangling around our necks.

George Gaddes, Allen Mitchell, Neil Wallace, Joe Wilson were class mates, as was Jimmy Watson, the Stilwell brothers

Thanks for your memories of growing up in Dunston.

Hi,

My mum Rita Stothard and her sister Enid grew up at 18 Barry Street with their parents, Bob & Nancy Stothard (Noble) and Grandma Noble.
My 9 year old daughter is doing a research project at school about WW2 and I wondered if any of you could help with memories of that time in Dunston.
My Aunty Enid has written a book about her childhood memories including the air raid shelter at the bottom of Barry Street by the park, & being evacuated to Whitley Bay, and I wondered if any-one else can remember them?

Thanks

Robyn Roberts
Robyn1R@yahoo.co.uk

Where can this book be bought Robyn ?

Hi,

My mother Edith Stead, lived in Victoria Street, Dunston in 1923 to approx. 1940. I am looking for any pictures, books etc. or people's memories from about that time.

Many thanks,
Sandra.
sandra.banks@talk21.com

Hi, I have just found out that my mother was from a very large family. Her father James Stead and mother Lottie lived in Victoria Road (Dunston) in 1924. Her elder brother Robert lost any eye when he worked in the steel factory at the age of 16. Lottie died at the age of 30 after giving birth to twins who also died. James married Margaret Dunn in 1929 and they had 10 children. They moved to 4 Fowler Gardens in 1930. Does anyone have any memories, good or bad, of this very large family? Which school would my Mum have gone to? She worked in a weaving factory on the looms but where? I would be grateful of any help or photos.
Kind regards,
Sandra Banks.