Guess the Place

[DaveTheTrain]

I still think I have seen them from the railway line.  Sittingbourne, next to the A2?

[John Walker]

On the edge of a large town. Close to a river, a railway line and a busy 'A' Road.

[John Walker]

Too far north west (ish) DTT. 


Going back to Ramsgate.  My Grandad thought it was too dangerous for the family to stay in Ramsgate as it was so near to Manston so he moved them to Canterbury!!!   An HE bomb landed a few hundred yards from the font of the house.  The front door ended up in the back scullery and the roof was wrecked.  Fortunately they had gone over to the communal shelter that night.   They were moved to the countryside near Faygate, Sussex.  My Grandfather, Flight Sargent James Baxter Roger had been posted to RAF Faygate, West Sussex.  The centre for crashed aircraft recovery.

Number 49 Maintenance Unit operated at RAF Faygate from 3 November 1940 until 13 February 1946. Prior to the former date it was No. 1 Salvage Centre and on the latter date it relocated to Lasham. Between these dates it processed, it is said, the lion's share of the Allied and German aircraft that crashed in south east England.

[DaveTheTrain]

The buildings look like the ones I see from the railway in Rochester, around the former Dousts shipyard.

[DaveTheTrain]

   My Mum was billeted at the Pegwell Bay Hotel in WW2.  she was in the ATS and was at the AA gun at the end of Manston runway.  Just down from Ozengal Farm.  I haven't been able to find out very much about it but still searching.  Her Dad was stationed at Manston and the family lived in Picton Road, Ramsagte.

That must have been a dangerous place to be billeted.  The family from Downs Road was evacuated to Utoexeter.    Ramsgate as you know really took it from the Germans.


DTT

[John Walker]

Thanks DTT - I should have recognised it earlier - I've been there many times over the years.  I agree with you about the Belle View being well worth a visit.  Particularly on a sunny day outside with the view over Pegwell Bay.   My Mum was billeted at the Pegwell Bay Hotel in WW2.  She was in the ATS and was at the AA gun position at the end of Manston runway.  Just down from Ozengal Farm.  I haven't been able to find out very much about it but still searching.  Her Dad was stationed at Manston and the family lived in Picton Road, Ramsgate.
Sorry I beat you to it Diapason


Next one ...   No clues to start with.

[DaveTheTrain]

Well done JW.  Bad luck, Diapson.


The scene is not much changed.  If you look on Streetview, the Belle Vue pub is still the same.  The building nearest the camera on the LHS has been demolished.  It is a shame but the two next properties look in poor repair on Streetview. 


I lived in Downs Road which is parallel to this scene.  There was an RC convent, now all houses.  The Abbey Gate was connected with the Abbey in the main town.


I recommend the Belle Vue, we had a wake here a few years back and it was a very nice pub.

[Diapason]

You`ve just beaten me to it, JW. I`ve just found a Francis Frith photo which is nearly identical.

[John Walker]

Pegwell Village.  the Belle View pub would be on the right ?

[DaveTheTrain]

Too far North, Pete.  Although I see what you mean.    I could walk from Minster to home and it would take me around one hour, I would pass a Lavendar farm, and an important cross that commemorated the landing of an important man and marks the spot of a meeting. 


To be clear on the Abbey, this was one of a number of buildings in the town related to the Abbey.  There was a Convent next door which formed the greater part of the complex. 

[pete.mason]

I'll take a stab at Westgate on sea, abbey being St Augustines?

[DaveTheTrain]

You are not so far away, Diapson.  I used to cycle from home (where this is (nearly)) to Minster, and walked it on several occasions as a teenager.

[Diapason]

Not precisely coastal, although not far away, but it does remind me of Minster, Thanet. The abbey being to the left at the top of the slope.

[DaveTheTrain]

Okay, time for a clue, or two.


As JW asked, there was an Abbey at the top of this road on the left.  The area is coastal and has had many significant visitors over history. 

[DaveTheTrain]

Not Hollingbourne, you are quite a distance from here.  I shall put up a clue tomorrow morning but you need to be much further East.