Ernie & Fred
Born in 1923 and 1926 respectively, Ernie and Fred have been friends for the best part of 90 years. Having grown up in in Shoeburyness together, they share many fascinating memories and experiences of living and working in the area before, during and after WWII.
As a boy, Ernie lived at 8 Elm Road and went to Richmond Avenue Primary School. Ernie went on to work on the railways, which was classed as an essential occupation, so he was deferred from joining the army and instead joined the Home Guard at Shoeburyness.
Fred lived around the corner from Ernie in Trafalgar Road and recalls one Sunday evening in August 1940 standing in his back garden, watching a vast formation of German bombers flying up towards London…
Please note: This interview refers to war-time incidents that some listeners may find upsetting. Born in 1923 and 1926, Ernie and Fred have been friends for t...
Fred worked as a butcher’s boy from his mid teens, before getting a job playing football locally for 18 months until he joined the army on 7th October 1943.
Fred as a young man
Fred trained as a Driver/Wireless Operator at Whitby in Dec 1943
Fred (left) in the army. As a teen, Fred became a Civil Defence Messenger and would bring reports back from the sites of local bombings, to the Air Raid Precautions (ARP) Headquarters.
Ernie and Fred have been friends for the best part of 90 years!
Ernie as a boy
Fred as a boy, remembers witnessing an enemy aircraft releasing two parachute mines, with one exploding in the area that is now Bishopsteignton and the other, getting its parachute caught in trees near farmland in Shoeburyness.
Ernie, now and then
Fred, now and then
Ernie worked as a Fireman on steam trains, tending the engine fires between Shoeburyness and London Fenchurch Street. This was classed as an essential occupation during the war so Ernie was deferred from the Army and instead joined the Home Guard.
Photo by Richard Horne
Ernie lived at 8 Elm Road and went to Richmond Avenue Primary School
Ernie as a young man on his delivery bike
Ernie (far left) and Fred both played for Cambridge Rovers football team.
X marks the spot - Ernie loved being in the Homeguard, Essex Regiment, Shoeburyness Company.
