Childhood
Streets Now Gone
I was born in 1930, within a cottar-house on Milton of Craigie Farm, long gone, but B & Q and ASDA are sited there. I think 1930 was the year of the darkest day in Dundee, when some people thought the end of the world had come. Read more......
Remember the 'Ager'?
Anyone out there who was an 'Ager' - Dundee Orphanage between 1945 - 1955? Lily and Ann Smith, Wullie Stewart, Edith and John Bell, Phyliss Goldie or the Cox family. We all need to make contact, as we all shared the same upbringing. Read more......
Countryside at Fintry
I was born in 1947, I lived with my mother, father and 3 other siblings in what they called a single end at 164 Overgate, my mother's family the Martins and Neys lived at 150, 155. All the women worked in the Mills and some of the men in the docks. My father came from Glasgow, some of his family came to live in Dundee they were steel-fixers by trade. The male line of the Ney's worked in Dundee as lamp lighters from the 1800's. They lost 3 good sons in the wars. My first school was Tay Street. Read more......
Normandy Beaches
I was born in 1923 and brought up in Dallfield Walk and attended Rosebank Primary School, then on to Stobswell, leaving there at 14 years of age.
I worked in a grocery shop for a spell as a message boy and assistant then left to join my brother in the CWS jute factory, weaving department in Arbroath Road as Assistant Yarn Dresser, eventually becoming qualified in charge at a machine. Read more......
Tramways Treat to the Bairns
To qualify for the Tramway Treat to the bairns at Christmas time, children were picked from local schools. I remember ripping my jumper and being chosen. The Treat was in the Breakfast Hall in Constitution Road where every one got some food and we played games. I think I would have been about 7 or 8 years old.
Broughty Ferry Beach
I did not go to school in Perth until I was five and a half years old. I started at Northern District School. Of course I was rarin' to go so I thoroughly enjoyed the daily routine - A for Apple, B for Bottle, counting etc. We used a slate and chalk for writing practice. We had to carry a pad for cleaning our slates. Mine was royal blue velvet. I was very proud of it. Read more......
My Favourite Route
My favourite route has to be Downfield. I travelled for many years to work and for pleasure on the Downfield tram. When we came back to Dundee, Downfield was almost a village before it extended as it is to-day. Monday morning many of us would get on the tram at School Road and for seating for us all, it would be the semi-circular seat at the back upstairs. There was much hilarity as the Saturday night at the Palais was recalled. The Conductors knew you and took an interest in the current boyfriends. You were greeted by most people who you met regularly. Read more......
Poor Wee Soul
When I was 10 years old my family moved to a new house in Kirkton. One morning when the snow fell heavily my Dad took me with him get a bag of coke to boost our coal supply, from a coal merchant at Clepington Road. Read more......
Kicked Out of Tannadice
When my Dad was 9 he went to a football match with his friend and his friend's Dad at Tannadice. The match was between Dundee United and Rangers. At half time my Dad went to the toilet and when he came out lots of boys were climbing over the wall without paying and a policeman thought that my Dad was one of them and threw him out of the ground, he had to walk home by himself.
Delightful Trams
My memories of the trams were, they were transport of delight - should never have been disposed of. I was 12 the day after the trams went off for good, it broke my heart. Read more......
