Retro

The Pompey girls who sang for the American president – Nostalgia

You may not have heard of her, but from humble beginnings in this drapery and costumiers in Commercial Road, Rosalind Ivy Fuller went on to conquer the world of show business.

Retro

Men from HMS Emperor of India's diving team in the 1920s. Picture: BR Webb postcard collection.

Swastika appeared on Royal Navy ship as symbol of wisdom and good luck, not darkness and terror

Believe it or not, the controversial swastika emblem once appeared on the crest of the battleship HMS Emperor of India. In the picture on the right it can be seen in the centre of the shield to the front of this diving team from the ship. The picture was sent in by Mr BR Webb, of Purbrook. His father is among the men but not named.

Retro

The glorious history of Portsmouth’s Commercial Road in 35 photos

Commercial Road has a long and glorious history as Portsmouth city centre’s main shopping street.

Retro

King Edward VIII visiting Portsmouth on June 30, 1936 crossing the Waverley Road and Albert Road junction in Southsea.

Two kings greeted by their adoring public in Portsmouth – Nostalgia

The two photographs of royalty in Portsmouth come from Mrs PM Hadley of Havant. I am not too sure about the King George VI travelling down Fratton Road perhaps you can help me? The other shows King Edward VIII a few months before his abdication. Fancy turning his back on all these adoring Portsmouth people, not to mention the British Empire.

Retro

Simon Waitland explored the former Odeon cinema in North End

Amazing pictures show what urban explorers found in Portsmouth’s abandoned Odeon cinema

A team of urban explorers who sneaked into an abandoned Portsmouth cinema have found a site perfect for a post-apocalyptic film.

People

The Tricorn – 29 historic photos of the life and destruction of the great Portsmouth landmark

It was once voted the ugliest building in Britain, but for many people in Portsmouth the Tricorn was the home of many great memories.

Business

Commander Walwyn with Sheikh Khalife Bin Zayed. Picture: Gordon Walwyn

Diplomacy rules the waves for Portsmouth warship’s commanding officer – Nostalgia

Back in January I featured Captain Gordon Walwyn RN Rtd., who was the man in charge of the 1977 Silver Jubilee Fleet review at Spithead.

Retro

(L-R) Elizabeth and Ben Cooper. Picture: Duncan Shepherd

Best pictures as vinyl collectors celebrate Record Store Day in Portsmouth

Vinyl collectors in Portsmouth celebrated Record Store Day on Saturday with a trip to Pie & Vinyl.

News

A photograph dating from 1864 showing the chain ferry from Portsmouth to Gosport. Picture: Barry Cox Collection.

Cattle ferried across harbour on their way to city’s abattoir – Nostalgia

I published this photograph, taken by Barry Cox and included in his book about Portsmouth trolleybuses, some time ago and I recently found a letter I had mislaid from Maureen Baldwin, now of Cowplain, who tells me that although it is named the Essoldo in her time it was the Regal. She lived in Milton Market when she was a child and knew the cinema very well.

Retro

The Gosport soldier who survived the war but was killed by flu

The two people pictured were sent to me by Christine Edwards of Gosport. The soldier, William Dean, would have been her grandfather.

Retro

Wren Lesley Edwards, of HMS Vernon, as she tackles one of the trails.

Portsmouth wrens tackle assault course for the first time in 1973

Blazing a trail? Striking a blow for Women’s Liberation? Whatever it was, the determined Wrens of the Naval Home Command were on their mettle when it came to taking on an assault course.

Retro

Marie Scott in the Map room of Southwick house.

D-Day switchboard operator celebrates French Legion d’honneur award with first visit to Southwick House

A 92-year-old D-Day switchboard operator has visited Southwick house to celebrate being awarded the French Legion d’honneur.

People

Looking north with the Portsdown Hill bridge under construction and the George Inn on the left. The lorries are on what became the re-aligned A3.

The Portsmouth bridge which reshaped a hill and uncorked a bottleneck – Nostalgia

A while ago I published a photograph of the new A3 when it was re-aligned and bypassed the George Inn to the east of the top of Portsdown Hill. To do so a new bridge had to be built to re-route the A3 and pass underneath it.

Retro

The Many Faces of Tudor England exhibition

New Mary Rose exhibition in Portsmouth showcases research that could change the way we look at Tudor England

Just who crewed the Mary Rose? Were they white Englishmen, or did diversity reign on board Henry VIII’s favourite warship?

Promoted content

A westward view from Wharf Road, Stamshaw. This would be an impossible photograph today as the Ferry Port has been built over this part of Portsmouth Harbour. Picture: Barry Lovett

A view across Portsmouth Harbour which would not be possible today – Nostalgia

At first glance I thought the picture on the right was taken looking across Portsmouth Harbour with the remains of the railway viaduct to South Railway Jetty on the right.

Retro

Last night at sea for the company of the Royal Yacht Britannia with hammocks slung for the last time. Picture: Mike Hill

Last night at sea for royal yacht sailors after a global voyage – Nostalgia

When a naval ship has been at sea for months, on returning to Portsmouth she is timed to arrive in the harbour in daylight at a given time.

Retro

Evening coach trip from the Labour Club, Arundel Street. They were very popular in the 1960s. Picture: J.A. Hewes/John Toman collection.

What a way to spend an evening! – Nostalgia

Long before everyone owned a car a coach trip was the thing to go for. There were many afternoon and evening trips available from South Parade Pier for visitors to the city.

Retro

Portsmouth’s ‘wonderful’ heroes of the blitz – Nostalgia

Last Saturday I wrote about two Portsmouth men and a boy who died when they tackled a fire at John Palmer’s brush factory.

Retro

MP Frank Judd for Portsmouth West surrounded by residents of York Place, Portsea.

Portsea families tell council to demolish their homes in 1972

Families from York Place, Portsea, were so angry about their living conditions that they were appealing to the city council to demolish their homes.

Retro

Are you in our photo gallery of Portsmouth clubbers from the noughties?

Can you spot yourself having a good time at one of the Portsmouth nightclubs back in the day?

Retro

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Are you in our photo gallery of Portsmouth clubbers from the noughties?

Three men arrested after armed robbery in Gosport

Portsmouth teenager tells of her ordeal after being raped by her ‘monster’ stepfather for four years – until he was caught by her mum

Chester’s: Popular Portsmouth carvery shuts its doors less than a year after opening

Furious Portsmouth residents say their lives are a ‘misery’ as workers park in their street