Twentieth Century Tales

Episode 5 - Modern Life & Transport Tales

This final conversation with my grandad covers a wide range of topics, focusing mostly on modern life & transport. We discuss politics, changing technology & his first trip abroad when he was in his 70s. There’s memories from the 1951 Festival of Britain, watching the Moon landing & the 1966 World Cup, plus plenty of football chat including his progressive thoughts on the women’s game. A fair few transport tales crop up, mostly discussing his matchless motorbikes, unpopular sidecar & his many breakdowns. It’s a nice random rambly chat, with my parents popping up towards the end as we discuss the biggest differences over the last century and his thoughts on the future. I hope you enjoyed hearing my grandad's Twentieth Century Tales. Thanks for listening!

Episode 4 - 1952 Farnborough Airshow Disaster

In this episode, my grandfather discusses the Farnborough Airshow Disaster that took place on the 6th of September 1952. He was watching from the crowd when a prototype de Havilland DH.110 fighter jet disintegrated mid-air, killing the two on board. Debris from the crash claimed the lives of 29 spectators and injured a further 60 people. These are his memories of that tragic day, which some listeners may find upsetting.

Episode 3 - Life on the Railways

This episode focuses on my grandad’s career on the railways as an engine driver. We begin with post-War Grimsby and the rationing that followed in the UK. My grandad started working on the railways in 1944 and you’ll hear a lot of detail on steam engines, including driving the Oliver Cromwell, Mayflower 1379 and Britannia locomotives. He’ll also discuss a day in the life of a fire man, coping with the great snow of 1947 & his near-death experience!

Episode 2 - Second World War in Grimsby

In this 90 minute podcast, my grandad discusses his memories of the Second World War. He was aged 11 -17 during World War II, so has very clear memories of the War and raids on Grimsby in Lincolnshire. From hearing the war being declared on the wireless to building the air raid shelter, you'll hear plenty of interesting stories. There’s also the moment when the family home was bombed in 1943. Plus there’s his experiences in the air cadets, flying in a Lancaster & the story of his brother Ernie returning from the Belsen concentration camp. As with other episodes you will hear some outdated terminology which some listeners may find offensive. It's a lengthy episode, but it is fascinating to hear these War stories first hand from someone who lived through it in Grimsby.

Episode 1 - Childhood Memories (1930s)

In this first episode, my grandad talks about his early years growing up in Grimsby, Lincolnshire. Born in 1927, Mervin discusses what school, food and entertainment were like in Grimsby in the 1930s. Hear what a young boy got up to in the pre-war years.