Judging by the photos in today’s gallery, the pace of life was certainly slower but you can still see how much has changed over the years.
This collection, from The News’ archives, includes a beauty contest at the seafront, HMS Victorious leaving Portsmouth with her new flight deck, and exceptional young cadets at HMS Vernon.
We would love to hear memories of growing up in Portsmouth during that time – you can join the conversation on our new Portsmouth Retro Facebook group.
And if you would like to see what the city was like even further back, here is a glimpse of Portsmouth a hundred years ago.
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5. Memories from our area 70 years ago
Light Pacific at Cosham. Passing Cosham signal box in 1950 we see a West Country/Battle of Britain class locomotive at the head of a train from the west. Photo: The News archive
6. Memories from our area 70 years ago
Fareham Firemen in the 1950's at West Street station (centre of town) in front of their appliances. Left: Leyland wheeled pump escape Right: Austin towing vehicle Firemen in photo are: Back: G O'Callanhan 2nd Back: J Birchell, N Smith 2nd row: E Hixman, N Hall, E Cathery, Wren, S Jenkins, B Forder, R Flake, B Mortar, B Edney, L Abbs Front row: J Male, H Johnson, J Frost, H Farley, P Dugan, H Stockwell. Photo: The News archive
7. Memories from our area 70 years ago
HMS Triumph leaving Portsmouth Harbour after a refit in 1950. The News PP5262 Photo: The News archive
8. The Camber, Old Portsmouth, in the early 1950s
The Camber, Old Portsmouth, in the early 1950s Photo: Images from our local area 70 years ago