Postcards from France

The  attached photograph was sent to my great grandparents in Ushaw Moor by my grandad who was stationed in France during World War One. He was part of the pioneer corps attached to the Durham Light Infantry. I never really knew my grandad as he died when I was just seven. Apparently he spent the whole war collecting dead bodies as he was deemed unfit to go to the front because of his profound deafness. I was told by my father that he never ever talked about his experiences, but it affected him all of his life.

 

Wedding 1950 – St. Lukes Church

I decided to publish this for Brian Mc. If you are the same Brian, you lived near me when I was a kid growing up in Dale Street. My father was Dennis Dickinson and his family all lived in Whitehouse Court. I found this old photograph of My Uncle Sid’s wedding at St Luke’s in the last 50’s. My aunt Betty and Uncle Tom are still alive. My uncle Tom still lives in the village.

Hope you enjoy the photo.

Broughs Store

My great grandad Matthew Dickinson is listed in various census as living in Station road the turn of the 20th century. His job was listed as grocers assistant, which at the time seems different from everybody else who seemed to work in mining. Having spoken to my uncle who has lived in Ushaw Morr all of his life, he told me that he worked in “Broughs Store” at the bottom of station road. I remember it being there when I was a kid, but does anybody out there know any history of the store. How long was it there? Was it always called “Broughs”? Does anyone out there know?

Broughs Store