Docklands

[sally_maria]

I haven't forgotten the promised Worldcon report, but more immediately, I was fascinated by the Docklands area, with so much new building, but the occasional older one peeking through. My grandfather worked as a clerk for the Port of London authority, and I couldn't help wondering whether he might have known them, while everything around them was changed beyond recognition.

I was reminded of a letter of commendation we found, when clearing out before we moved. During the War, as a married man with a child he wasn't called up immediately, but spent a couple of years with the Home Guard, firewatching etc in the docks. On this particular occasion a sailor had been returning to his ship, and fallen off the gangplank into the water (his state of sobriety wasn't commented on ;-), but it was in the blackout). My grandfather jumped into the water and kept him afloat until help could come to pull them both out. I have no idea what happened to him after that, but I hope that his good luck continued.

Comments

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

That's fascinating - thanks!

[sally_maria]

:-)

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

I was so impressed by the way the area had transformed. The last time I was in London (which, admittedly, was years ago), very little of what's there now was visible. Quite extraordinary.

I love the story about your grandfather!

[sally_maria]

The last time I was anywhere near that part of London was in 2005, when I went to a midnight opening and pre-release event for the Half-Blood Prince in Greenwich. Certainly a lot has changed since then - and even more since the 1970s and 80s TV shows like the Professionals that were sometimes filmed among the run-down warehouses. :-)

Re:

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

and even more since the 1970s and 80s TV shows like the Professionals that were sometimes filmed among the run-down warehouses. :-)

YES!!! I kept looking around, hoping Bodie and Doyle might burst out of a door (or leap over a car) somewhere, but alas, I never saw them. ;)