October 16 - Irvine, Scotland
["Photo of 'Kings Arms Hotel' accompanies father's WW2 memoirs"]
The seaside town of Irvine holds many secrets close to its chest. Though my father wrote about several experiences there in his Navy memoirs in a vivid manner, those experiences occurred over seventy years ago during his training days leading up to the invasions of Dieppe, North Africa, Sicily and Italy. But occasionally I am present when a door to the past quietly opens.
["I like the looks of Hill St. on my way to 'The King'"]
["I find 'The King' hasn't changed much in 70 years!"]
["Heritage Centre in Saltcoats, north of Irvine, has helpful items (below)"]
["My dad saw this 'Waterside' scene in 1942 during leave"]
["Dad stayed w the Cricksmeres at 22 Waterside St. I can find the spot"]
["I follow Seagate St. downhill to Waterside St."]
["Over the bridge I go to Waterside St."]
["No. 22 was torn down in the '70s," says the owner of No. 50 (RATS!)]
["In 1942 Navy barges would navigate the river outside my lodgings
on their way to King's Arms Hotel. So, one mystery is solved today"]
["Lights of Saltcoats - and Heritage Centre - shine in the distance"]
October 16 was a long, eventful day. A few questions I posed to others got their minds to work (lights went on at Harbour Lights pub), and more than one person steered me in a fruitful direction. I'm in their debt.
More photos and details to follow.
Link to
Scotland 2014 Photos
Photos GH
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