Edinburgh History - Royston in the 1940s

Recollections

Elizabeth Fraser

(nee Betty Simpson)

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Thank you to Elizabeth Fraser (nee Simpson) for these recollections of his childhood in Royston around 1940:

New Broughton

"I was born at No.7 New Broughton in 1931.

I am trying to find an old map showing the 'old' New Broughton district. It was a slum clearance area around 1935 or thereabouts.

We moved from to 28 Royston Mains Rd around 1935 after my wee sister was born.

In 1941, we moved to to St Vincent Street Stockbridge. I left there in 1952 to marry my Fiancé who had already gone to Sydney Australia where we now live"

Royston Mains Road

We moved from to 28 Royston Mains Rd around 1935 after my wee sister was born.

In 1941, we moved to to St Vincent Street Stockbridge. I left there in 1952 to marry my Fiancé who had already gone to Sydney Australia where we now live"

Old Map

"I am still trying to find an old map showing the Royston district. It is now all up market and very pretty. I remember so well, the 'back greens in Royston.

1925 Map

Here is a 1925 map showing the area shortly before the houses in the Royston estate were built. Some, but not all of the Boswall estate had already been built. This map shows only one house in the area, Royston Mains, towards the top right corner of the map.

- Peter Stubbs: April 2006

Anderson Shelters

"During the war there would be variety entertainment put on to raise funds. The Anderson Shelters varied in comfort (and discomfort). Although I must say my dad built ours with a wooden floor, double bunk and single bunk beds.

There was a sump in the corner where the water drained and the door was doubled with a metal cover."

Houses

"I think everyone was so pleased to have a clean, bright, new house, even though my brothers had a pull-down bed in the 'lounge' and sisters all squeezed in together."

The War

"With the war on, the men were away to the army and only came home on leave. The newspapers were scoured daily to see the 'missing in action' columns.

The woman upstairs lost two sons in the sinking of the 'HOOD' - then there was the bomb that landed nearby and we thought it had hit the school but it flattened five houses in one street killing a woman and her two children ... and her husband was away at the war!"

Elizabeth Fraser (nee Betty Simpson), Sydney, New South Wales, Australia:
April 9, 2006 + September 3, 2008.

Recollections

Peter Shedden

Kinghorn, Fife, Scotland

Thank you to Peter Shedden who wrote the following after reading Betty Fraser's comments above:

Home and School

"I was moved to Royston in 1936, and lived at Royston Mains Gardens. That was at the same period as Betty Fraser quotes.

I was at the school in Granton Square on a temporary basis, until being sent to Granton School until the Royston School was ready for me and others. So it is a jolt to the memory to read all the comments."

Milk Deliveries

"I did a milk delivery round for Leith Provident Co-op in West Granton Road. I started every morning with a bike which had a basket on front and did all the far points of delivery:- Gypsy Brae, the Reservoir which was situated at the site which is now east Pilton, Caroline Park and West Harbour etc.

The reservoir has recently been converted to a small nature reserve, part of with a viewing platform for observing wildlife, as part of Forthquarter Park, a new park created as part of Edinburgh's Waterfront development, not yet open to the public. - Peter Stubbs

After that, I had a two-wheeled barrow, where I loaded the crates of bottles of milk and rolls to deliver at West Granton Road, along to the Wire Works, down to Granton square, the bank and Harbour Master's house.

I continued along lower Granton Road, and up the Granton Medway etc. etc.

I remember the manager, Mr Black, and the Manageress at the bakery dept., Fay. I was well looked after by both."

Pie Deliveries

"On a Saturday, with no school, I did a 'Pie Round'. The barrow that I used for the milk was loaded up with bakers' boards of Scotch Pies, and off I went delivering orders.

I can remember so many names of families that had the pies for Saturday lunches around Royston, and of the mothers who looked out for me coming.

In those days, I was up early in the morning as you can guess, and had the deliveries done before going to school. I did the same, even after going to Bellevue Secondary School, to which I had to cycle."

School Mates

"I wonder if she will remember me and some of our school mates. I went to the navy at an early age, and so I missed out on some of my youth, but I remember much about the area and life there so maybe I can answer some questions.

Best wishes to Betty."

Peter Shedden, Kinghorn, Fife, Scotland:: August 18, 2006 and February 21, 2007

Recollections

Elizabeth Fraser

(nee Betty Simpson)

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Thank you to Betty Fraser (nee Simpson) who wrote again, sending a photograph.

Betty wrote

Royston Mains Road

Backgreen

"This photograph was taken on the backgreen at Royston Mains Road, Granton, around 1940. You can see a bit of an Anderson Shelter in the background and 'me' centre front!"

Elizabeth Fraser (nee Betty Simpson): September 9, 2008

Recollections

Bob Grant

Queensferry, Edinburgh

Thank you to Bob Grant who wrote:

Milk and Rolls

"I have a strong feeling that I worked with Alastair Berry (Recollections 1 above) at the store in West Granton Road, delivering milk and rolls."

The Embassy

"Also, as a very young boy, I used to be allowed to visit the Embassy projection room, and used to get old film from the projectionist. We used it to make smoke bombs. He had a club foot which we had never seen before. He was a very nice person.

Memories

"I am 66 years old, but how fortunate I am to have had such happy memories."

Bob Grant, Queensferry, Edinburgh: October 27, 2008

Recollections

Bob Henderson

Burdiehouse, Edinburgh

Thank you to Bob Henderson, Burdiehouse, Edinburgh who wrote:

Boys Burning old Film

"Bob Grant (Recollections 8) has just stirred another memory for me.

All of us boys at the time knew of the wonderful ability of the old film stock to give off a terrible smell when lit. It was a highly prized commodity."

Bob Henderson, Burdiehouse, Edinburgh: October 28, 2008

Recollections

10.

Vic

Thank you to Vic who wrote:

The Currie Family

"I am wondering if anyone remembers the Currie kids who went to Royston Mains school. All of this is coming out of my head because my mother, Lilian Currie, who was born in 1929 in Primrose Street, Leith, Edinburgh used to talk of going to school and doing handstands against the wall, showing her underclothes, and being reprimanded by the headmaster.

She had six brothers and sisters. Her mother, Victoria Currie, died very young at home during wartime. The brothers and sisters were Anne, John, Iris, Robinson, (my mom) Lilian, Victor and Marina

In one of the photos you show Elizabeth Fraser, now living in Australia, the tiniest little girl reminds me a lot of my mom. Could it be? "

Vic: November15, 2008