SAC Powell was a Mechanical Transport Driver attached to 5131 Bomb Disposal Squadron. He was posted to RAF Goldsborough (East Barnby camp) in 1961. He travelled by train from his home in Leicestershire to York, York to Malton, then Malton to Whitby, via Pickering. He was collected at Whitby station and taken to RAF Goldsborough. Geoffrey was struck by the beauty of our countryside. Ian Terry tells us: ”I was an Armourer and joined 6217 BD flight at Goldsborough directly after my Christmas leave in January 1962. where I was reunited with my mate Mick Hodge. I remained on Bomb Disposal until September 1964. In September 64 I was posted to No 31 squadron RAF Laarbruch.” Terry also tell us: ”When we were at Goldsborough there were actually two flights. 6217 and 6226.” Dennis Carlton told us: “6226 was also at RAF Goldsborough from 1959 until 1962. I wonder if anyone caught Cancer as the workers at Fylindales used to chuck asbestos sheets on the dump. Whats ‘elf and safety’? The flight also worked at Lastingham.”
Image and information courtesy of Geoffrey Powell, also many thanks to Ian Terry and Dennis Carlton for the updates.
A lovely view, but having walked up this bank in the past I really feel for the horse. Rosemary Casson asked: ” When was this? This might be my Grandad, William Ernest Dudman who was the carrier for Lythe and Sandsend area”. The Archive can advise the image is from a Tom Watson postcard dating from 1905 to 1907.
Built in 1874 by Bell Brothers local mine owners as the Miner’s Hospital and according to Bulmer’s Directory in 1889 the hospital had accommodation for 17 patients and Bulmer’s records: ”During the last year 75 persons received the benefit of the institution. It is under the care of the Sisters of the Holy Rood from North Ormesby.” It later became the local cottage hospital for East Cleveland, being replaced by the newer building on Alford Road. The building has now converted into private housing. Comments which arose following the initial posting of this image included: Alison Bates asking: “We have been going through my father-in-law’s possessions and have come across a silver tea set in the name of Sister Arabella, 25 years of service by the workmen at Brotton. Carlin How, Huntcliff, Kilton, Lumpsey and North Skelton mines. Brotton cottage hospital April 1901. Would really appreciate it if you could find any other information on her, she is obviously a distant relative.” Colin Hart assisted with: “Sister Arabella (Arabella Bates)in 1901 census she is the matron aged 63 living at Brotton hospital, born in Lancashire in 1838. In 1911 she is 73 single, living at 15 Upleatham St Saltburn. Date of death 1924 aged 86 registered in Stokesley.” Alison then queried: “Does anyone know where Sister Arabella Bates is buried?” Nigel Anderson has memories: ” Had my tonsils out here in 1950! Six of us in one dorm for same operation. All frightened of the rumours of “black sick” (sorry!!!). Kind staff.”
Photograph courtesy of Cleveland Ironstone Mining Museum; thanks to Alison Bates, Colin Hart and Nigel Anderson for the updates.
Goldsborough camp housed the men and back up staff supporting the work going on at Fylingdales. Geoffrey was tired and lonely when he arrived, but soon got to know the others in the Billet. Their accommodation block had bunk beds and there was a stove in the middle and a bathroom and showers at the rear; the men ate in the Airmen’s Mess. In present times the site is better known as East Barnby Centre, part of the North Yorkshire Outdoor Learning Service and described as: “The UK’s Greatest Outdoor Classroom”; providing a residential centre for field studies or outdoor activities.
Image and information courtesy of Geoffrey Powell, further information about RAF Goldsborough can be found on ‘Subterranean Britannica’ website.
The Archive asked: “Do you remember them like this? About what date would this photograph have been taken? Tony Auffret suggested: “I remember my aunt having one of these chalets at the bottom of Hazel Grove. It must have been about 1962 or 1963. Don’t remember the double layer of chalets, but it was along time ago.” Callum Duff has come to our rescue: ”These Chalets were built as part of a job creation scheme for unemployed men during the depression. Looking at the Art Deco-type design of the upper chalet, it would suggest that they appeared in the 1930’s. buildings also constructed around this time included all structures from Hazelgrove to the west side of the Cliff Lift. These chalets were demolished in 1986, just before Saltburn’s 125th anniversary celebrations.”
Image courtesy of Julie Tyrka; many thanks to Tony Auffret and to Callum Duff for the updates.
Geoffrey’s place of work was the MT (Motor Transport) section. They had Bedford R/L three ton trucks, Austin two ton trucks, a Morris Commercial Ambulance, a small Bedford ration truck and two Land Rovers on site. There was also a Standard Ensign staff car for the CO. The mudguards of the trucks and ambulance were painted red to denote that they were on explosive business. The letters BD (Bomb Disposal) were painted on the Land Rover and Vanguard car.
Image and information courtesy of Geoffrey Powell.
The pier as it used to be at Saltburn, I should be able to remember it like this but I guess the memory is going because I cannot recall it; but doesn’t it look lovely? Now I have been reading about the pier and at one time it was 1.500 feet long and the seaward end we see here was removed by a storm on October 29th 1974. Nigel Anderson recalls: “The buildings at the end of the pier were a horseshoe shape with covered seating both sides, inside and out and all round!!! I have many memories of the elderly sitting there asleep or listening g to the waves! Also should have mentioned that in the summer on Sundays a brass band often played in the centre at the end!“
Image courtesy of Ray Brown and thanks to Nigel Anderson for the updates.
One of Geoffrey’s duties was driving to Middleton St George (now Durham Tees Valley Airport) for camp rations; he also drove to other depots for kit and materials that was required by the Bomb Disposal men.
Image and information courtesy of Geoffrey Powell.
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