I remember 1947 too!

03/04/2007

I was interested to read the letter about the winter of 1947 (MT March 2007) by ex Captain Mellor. I am also an ex-marine, and remember vividly how bad the winter was for us living on a remote farm at Waxholme (between Hull and Withernsea)

I was 13 at the time and the snow drifts were so bad we were completely cut off. We were about a quarter of a mile from the cliff top, and could only go to school by climbing down the cliff and walking along the beach. An as we could only do this when the tide was out, we had a quite a few days off school.

Many of the villages and farms around Spurnpoint were badly affected by the snow drifts, so getting around to work or shop was very difficult.

In August 1951 I joined the Marines at RM Barracks, Deal, and remember well the journey from home to Hull, then from Hull to Manchester recruiting office, followed by an overnight rail trip to London. From there by rail to Dover, where we were collected by transport from the Barracks, arriving about 3pm. Just in time for tea - cheese and pickles and a slice of chocolate cake. I'm sure Captain Mellor will remember that well!.

It was my first time away from home and it was a real shock after living on a farm. Due to coastal erosion, the farm will soon disappear down the cliffs. I visited it two years ago on a "memory lane" trip and was shocked to find how close it was to the sea.

Geoff Bulleyment, Eastleigh.
(Ex RM11005, 505 Squad, August 1957).