Gary May recalls his childhood at 33 and 33a Station Road...

My late mother Mrs M G May, while my father was away doing his bit for King and country, was bombed out at Barnaby Green in May 1941. She was able to secure rented accommodation at 33a Station Road where the shop was. 33 and 33a were two separate properties within Prospect Place. During her time at 33a she took in paying wartime personnel to help with rent costs. My elder brother was born at 33a in August 1942 and in turn this prompted the necessity to seek a three bedroom property. My mother approached her landlord (Taylor & Sage) and enquired whether they had a larger property available.

Houses in Barnaby Green where several bombs fell in the small hours of May 12th 1941. (Photo from Barrett Jenkins' book 'Reminiscences of Southwold during two World Wars' courtesy of the author's daughter, Anne Thornton)

As luck would have it the house next door at 33 was soon to become vacant, the tenancy being offered to my mother. She moved into 33 early in 1943. During the remaining war years she continued to take in wartime personnel. On the return of my father from war service in 1945 my mother continued taking in paying guests; in fact she did this up to 1956/57. I was born at 33 in July 1946 and can distinctly remember, in my very early years, a Mrs Barker next door at 33a running a wet fish shop. I would not have been any more than two years old at the time. Thereafter it was run by Paddy Pile and his wife along with a mobile fish and chip business. They were still at 33a in 1959 when we vacated 33, although, if I recall, the wet fish shop had then been shut for several years. 

Albert and May May with their eldest son, Clive, taken on Albert's leave in 1943

and below in 1945

Gary, aged three (right) with his mother and brother, Clive, in 1949/50, in the back garden of No 33. The garden path was central and shared between 33 and 33a. The right hand garden belonged to 33a the back gate to which can be clearly seen to the right of the building and, on the far right, the rear of the mobile fish sales van used by Paddy Pile.

Albert and May May in 1954 at the rear gate of No 33. Gary writes: "The chimney on the roof of the brick outhouse was for the coal-fired copper which was used for washing clothes. I can remember my mother using an old-fashioned mangle. There was a soft water well in the back yard and a pump by the stone sink in the scullery adjoining the kitchen."

Eight-year-old Gary May in the back garden of No 33 in1954, He writes "The garage/store, fish box and other items are all parts of Paddy Pile's wet-fish business. In the background, on the left you can just see the sign for Moy's Coal Office at No 1 High Street."

The two May boys, Clive and Gary,with their Mother, May G May, also in 1954. The trailer behind is Paddy Pile's mobile fish shop.

My mother's background being that of a cook, in service to many different households since first commencing work, always had the desire to open a shop of her own, baking and selling quality homemade bread and cakes etc. 1956/57 she gained permission from the local Borough Council, after the necessary checks, to open a small cake shop in what was the front room of 33 Station Road. It was quite amazing what she achieved from these humble beginnings, building a reputation for quality homemade goods selling locally and away. Her expertise earned her much respect across a wide and varied clientele. There are still a few people around who will remember her wonderful bread and cakes.