HARDMAN FAMILY 1930s

Bertie Hardman

Dates in Cottage Homes: 1931-1936, from the age of six

My daddy was in the home at 6 years old with his two brothers Charlie and Jimmy, Jimmy was 1 year old.

My daddy was in the home from 1931, his name was Albert but was mainly called Bertie.

Bertie joined the training ship, Exmouth when he was 11 and stayed in the Navy until he retired at 70.

All the brothers had blonde hair and blue eyes. Bertie left the home in 1936. What a life our poor parents went through. We are so lucky not to have gone through what they went through. My daddy ended up having a very loving family, sadly he passed away a while ago.

My grandmother, Florence, worked in the laundry at the Homes, after her husband left her stranded with 3 boys. I hope your mummy remembers the boys. (Vi does not remember the boys but she does remember standing outside the laundry while singing at the top of her voice. Vi also remembers that the ladies in the Laundry were kind-hearted.)

My uncle Charlie did tell me that the matron in the home used to keep picking on my dad and teasing him, Uncle Charlie used to try to stick up for him, but when he did, he would be in deep trouble. Uncle Charlie used to sneak food to him.

My dad joined the Exmouth in 1936, at 11 years old. He was one of the boys that danced the hornpipe, he was very proud of that, he also became the fancy roper.

He was on the ship until the war, when he was then evacuated to Burnham on Crouch, where the crew took over the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club.

At 15 he went to liverpool and joined his first ship.

I am so glad my younger sister got my daddy to write his memoirs. When i first read it i cried; but luckily he was such a loving dad and we never wanted for anything.

Home Contact kt_4_u@hotmail.com