Childhood
Helen's Memoirs
Helen was born in Dundee and has lived here all her life.
I was born in Hill Street in 1938 and attended Butterburn School for one year and the Rockwell Junior and Senior until age 15. I worked in the SMT for one year then on to George Stephen's in Castle Street for 40 years until I was made redundant. Read more......
Penguin Cafe
My mum, Bunty Rollo, nee Ovenstone was the niece of 'Teenie McGregor', nee De Gernier, who had the Buster Stall in the Overgate. My Auntie Mary Ovenstone ran the Penguin Cafe up the Overgate in the 1950's and I have fond memories of shopping with my mum on Saturdays and going for a buster - it was delicious! I live in Leeds now but would love to hear from any of the family. Read more......
Dundee and Dundonians
I have many, many wonderful and happy memories of Dundee and Dundonians. My late mother Rita Elder (nee Gillan) was born in Dundee but left in the forties to come up to Peterhead with my father Edward Elder who was born in Carnoustie. My mother was brought up in Brook Street and did in fact work in the jute mills, maybe even the coffin mill. Mother never forgot Dundee and was a frequent visitor coming back at every opportunity. I wish in fact that Mum and Dad had returned to live in Dundee as we seem to spend quite a lot of time going back for weekends and shopping. God bless you Dundee for you have given me and many other happy memories. Read more......
The Fifties
I was born in 1953, my best memories are from 1958/59 onwards when we lived at 18 Keswick Terrace in Kirkton. I went to Gilburn Primary School and then onto Kirkton High School. I remember my Gran's birthday party in the big shed, which was where the Copper Beach Pub was before they built the Community Centre. I had many happy days at the Den of Mains.
My Mother
My father died in 1959 and with him, my mother voted conservative and supported Dundee. She remarried, and with Jim she voted labour and supported Dundee United. Read more......
Work and Play
I was born in Dundee in 1954 at Maryfield Hospital.I attended Mitchell Street primary school which was situated on the Lochee Road. I then went onto Logie Secondary on the Blackness Road. On leaving in 1969 my first job was in Hamilton Carharts the factory that made denim clothing at that time. They were located at the docks. Read more......
Menzieshill
The first time I saw you
You were covered in snow white
I awed at your beauty
Oh what a wonderful sight Read more......
Cultural Shock for Evacuees
I was born in D.R.I. on 27th June, 1931. I lived at 2 Park Lane with my six brothers and sisters in a one room attic. My father was in the army at outbreak of war. My mother and all of the family were sent to Banchory for the remainder of the war. It was a cultural shock for us. We had never seen cows in a field. We lived on a farm for six years. We were so happy then. We did not want to come home. We cried all the way back to Dundee.
Dundee Memories
I was born in the D.R.I. in 1955 and lived in Lawrence Street. Went to Mitchell Street School from 1961 - 1967 and Logie from 1967 to 1970. I then moved to London in 1972 and am still there, but I have some great memories of growing up in Dundee.
Monkey Business
I have a memory of being marched from Hawkhill school down to East Station, to be evacuated to Montrose 1939. At 8 years of age I also remember along the roadside of Dudhope Castle, there were monkeys and parrots in enclosures. I still carry the scar at the age of 76, having been nipped by one of the monkeys.
