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I seem to remember my dad telling me
that during one of the air-raids (perhaps the bombing of Ardeer) a small
shell fell on Hayocks Road, Stevenston, right in the middle of the road.
I was v. young at the time he told me, so perhaps I fabricated the
street name (this is where he and the rest of his family lived). If
anyone knows about this story please let me know....
My mum used to tell me that at the start of the war when people were
kitted out with gas-masks etc they would run special exercises or drills
to check that people knew how to operate them. She used to live in
Dockhead street (with the Loves) and she remembers people running down
the street with the gas masks on. Seems like another world now.... She
also remembers the air-raids (she was only 4+ or so) - she thought it
was great fun to sit under the stairs with all her friends etc - a small
childs view was that it was one great big party (and one suspect the
adults around
them didn't tell them otherwise)!
cheers, Mike.
Mike, I cant recall the bomb on
Hayocks, but I do remember your dad, not the type to tell stories
unless it happened. however a land mine was parachuted down, less
than a half mile from your house, landed on Ardeer Mains farm at the
bottom of the broom brae, "to be exact" right in the middle of the
trailer park that's there now, lucky for them, it was only a grazing
field then. Wee Johnny Gallaher owned the Farm. My cousin who worked
there, got the job of filling the hole, using a horse and cart, it
took him one month. It was the biggest bang of the war. Almost got
Ardeer Factory, There were four sons on that farm, one of who now
owns the Montfode farm just above Ardrossan, with the petrol tanks
we've been discussing for days now. Just from memory I estimate the
hole depth at 20 feet wide and 10-12 feet deep ."could have got rid
of a few wives there"-------Just kidding Sandra.
I remember the bomb in the road it
didnae explode I was a wee lass at the time I remember being taken by
the hand and walked through the fields away from danger. I was afraid
of the bombs they made a terrible sound when they fell. I didnae like
being put under the stairs to this day I do not like small spaces. Ann
From: <scott.mccallum2@xx.com>
To: <threetowners@
topica.com>
Sent: Wednesday, May 02, 2001
My dad told me that during the war a bomb fell on Nelson road
Saltcoats which was aimed at Ardeer factory - if he was right it
must have landed near where the health centre is now - does anyone
know any history of the nelson tower - the ruins of which were at
the top of the steps in Auchenharvie - heading towards nelson road
and Auchenharvie road - I used to play there as a wean - I am sure
that I have seen a photo of it somewhere.
scott mccallum
From: <alan@xx.co.uk>
To: <threetowners@
topica.com>
Sent: Wednesday, May 02, 2001
Hi All,
Does anyone remember a plane crashing into Stanley farm many
years ago I vaguely remember something but nobody else kens what I am
talking about, did it happen during the war or was it after? I am
enjoying the stories, they are great.
Liz Scott.
Hi Liz,
I love yer accent, yi hiv a gran memory, I believe the plane you are
talking about is the same one that came down in the Monach Dam big
plane, bomber I believe, German. The general consensus at that time
was 50% shot down. 50% down with engine problems, I don't know,
might have picked the water hoping for a soft landing, went in nose
first I don't think anyone survived. D.M.
Hi Liz,
I remember talk about that plane. Can't say if it's true but I do recall
a few people saying during a drought in the very early 1950s that part
of the plane could be seen above the water line - Mill Dam I think was
mentioned. Well I would have thought such a thing would have been
photographed and placed in the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald which
everyone read - so we'd have known for sure. So, 'a hay ma doots'.
During that drought I can remember posters being placed inside all the
closes in Glasgow Street Ardrossan asking folks to conserve water. A
drought in Scotland. Honest.
Hugh McCallum
Hi all,
Someone mentioned a possible plane crash at Stanley farm?
This struck a strange chord with me because when I attended Stanley
primary school which stands on the spot where the farm was, we ( the
girls whose toilet block was downstairs ) were always a bit on edge
to go there alone and I remember some hysterical girl coming out of
the toilets helped by a teacher saying she had heard a man panicking
and shouting something in the toilets when she was in there. There
was also always a strange smell in the assembly hall as if someone
had always just finished varnishing the floor. Who knows eh !
Regards
Sandra
Sent: Thursday, May 03, 2001
Yes, Liz I remember
that plane, it was a Junkers 88 I think, we young-uns tried to play
in it, but the sentry would always chase us away. I don't think it
was very safe, but we didn't think about those things as weans.
Jimmy Laughlan
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