Bill Grainger was just 12 years old when he saw the magical moment in Newham’s history that changed his life and ignited his passion for the sea. Bill was one of 100,000 people who witnesses the famous Mauretania become the biggest ship in history to enter the King...
The 87-acre Royal Albert Dock was opened by the Duke and Duchess of Connaught on June 24 1880. It was the largest purpose built dock in Britain at the time. According to historical documents unearthed by the Port Cities website over 3000 men worked on the project...
Joan Dyson, who was born and bred in Silvertown, recalls skipping school to run errands for her mum. “I wasn’t really the educated one – I never went to school a lot. I used to go up the pawn shop on Mondays for mum, put my dad’s suit in and go and get it on...
Colin Grainger recalls the unlikely fruit of his grandfather’s labours in the Royal Docks over 50 years ago.“Whenever a ship delivering fresh fruit docked, there was always plenty of that in the houses which the dockers smuggled out under the coats. One particular...
Stan Dyson recalls how he lost his heart to the miserable girl he first saw on the 669 bus to Woolwich and how he overcame his nerves to knock on her front door… I stood by the Conservative Club for several minutes looking at the dock fence corner of Leonard Street...
An introduction to the colourful history of people who lived and worked around London’s Royal Docks. With thanks to Crowne-Plaza London Docklands & Newham Archive.
