September 2008

[TheGorbalsAdmin]

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hello readers, does anybody remember a magic wee Street called Wellcroft Pl,just off Eglinton St between Cumberland St and Cavendish St,Im trying to find two of my friends who lived there 1950, and 1960,;Catherine Mooney who lived at 2a she had A wee sister Isobel they moved to Easterhouse around 1958; and we lost touch I would love to hear from her, I know she worked as A nurse at the Glasgow Royal and married An officer in the navy.Also Diane Anderson who lived at 10 Wellcroft Pl,then moved to Daisy St, she had A wee sister Margaret and I think she went to France or Paris to live. Wee Bleather.

Submitted by: Wee Bleather
Ayrshire North, Scotland
30/09/08
Email: piranha33@tiscali.co.uk
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Does anyone know my mother Nellie McEwan (born 1924) from Sandyfaulds St. I think she went to St Francis and her father was James Wylie McEwan who worked in the ship building. Her mother was Agnes Murray McEwan and her aunt was Kate.

Submitted by: Irene Walton
Gt Manchester, England
30/09/08
Email: IWalton7@aol.com
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Hi Pat in London, I hate to be the bearer of bad news but i can confirm that St John Bosco was demolished some years ago to make way for new housing. The Gorbals in general is unrecognisable but the area around "Wee Bonnies" and John Bosco has changed beyond all recognition. The old wash house or "steamie" as i knew it on Wolseley Street has also been demolished to make way for new houses. I still get pretty emotional on occasion when i pass Oatlands and think of how much it has changed in recent times.

Submitted by: John Fraser
Glasgow, Scotland
30/09/08
Email: john.fraser72@hotmail.co.uk
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Born in Gorbals Crown St 1956 but left for Pollock in 1969. Great stories and memories from this website. Loved the Gorbals Street Swimming Pool, adventure playground, and following the Bully Wee!

Submitted by: Pat Ferry
Glasgow, Scotland
29/09/08
Email: PFerry@aol.com
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Does anyone remember the most horific incident of a number of young children being thrown from a window in TORYGLEN ST OATLANDS in 1966..Myself, Anne McNulty and a few others witnessed this atrocity..The memories are still with us...God Bless those who died and help those who survived.

Submitted by: Rita
Glasgow, Scotland
29/09/08
Email: setdancer@btinternet.com
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Been browsing through all the old Gorbals Street photographs on the Virtual Mitchell website. Does anyone know why these street photographs were ever taken?

Submitted by: A'mous
Glasgow, Scotland
28/09/08
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I went to Bonnies in the 70's and stayed in Braehead St. I remeber going along to the steamie with my gran, Mary McAndrew and waiting while she chatted for hours. My dad was the jannie in John Bosco, Alex Kelly. If anyone remembers us let me know!

Submitted by: Denise
Glasgow, Scotland
28/09/08
Email: dmackenzie120@yahoo.co.uk
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I would love to hear from a girl i knew, her name is Lenore Kay. I went to stay with her in 1955, for two weeks. She lived in the Gorbals, at Garnet street Garnet Hill with her mother. I have never forggoten her.

Submitted by: Kathleen Webb
Manchester, England
27/09/08
Email: kath@kormerod.vispa.com
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There was a reasonably strong Lithuanian community in the Gorbals. They used to use St. Luke's hall for some of their functions. I can remember watching dances in traditional Lithuanian costumes there. My granny(God rest her) used to live in Ballater St. just across from Crown St. up those deadly corkscrew stairs where if you were careless on the way down (and I was) you could have a nasty fall. It was after one such fall I endured my one and only hot toddy to help revive me from the shock of the fall. It tasted gruesome. I obviously was not cut out to be a whisky man. Sadly my granny died in the Royal Infirmary as a result of burns she suffered in a house fire when she stood too close to her electric fire and her layers caught fire. My mum used to tell us about Johnny Ramensky and what a gentle man he was. He was a legend and still is. Does anyone remember Miles Lorimer and his wife Mary from Ballater St. or Inverkip St.? Miles and my father were great friends of Jimmy Mallan, the Celtic right back of the time and he was the first Celtic player I met

Submitted by: Denis
Glasgow, Scotland
27/09/08
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looking for info on Brian and Duncan adams thanks

Submitted by: Mary Lee
Rutherglen, Glasgow
22/09/08
Email: mdawl@hotmail.com
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I'm researching my father's early life for a family history. Please, if anyone can give me some information I would be very grateful. My father moved to the Gorbals (don't know exactly where) in c. 1937 when he was 8 years old. He lived there until c. 1946 I know he belonged to a boys club - he did boxing and ju-jitsu. The boxing coach was called Johnny McGrory. Does anyone remember this club? My fathers name was Dennis (McGinlay) Winn - his mother was Annie and his father Andrew. He had a brother and sister: Mary and George

Submitted by: Andrea Hickey (nee Winn)
London, England
22/09/08
Email: a.h.hickey@qmul.ac.uk
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I recall in class the priest coming in our room and saying well was everyone at mass on sunday and me saying yes father oh thats good i saw your brothers so tell me anne what couler was the garbs soo you got caught out so many hail marys in them days ha ha anne

Submitted by: Anne O'Neill
St. Catharines, Canada
22/09/08
Email: anne_oneill_44@hotmail.com
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Hi Robert Kidd, My Name Is Helen Martin my Fathers Name was George Kidd from Ballater Street, he had Brothers: James, Tommy, & Sisters Sadie, & Ester if you have any info on the Kidd Family I would be pleased if you could Post It on The Gorbals Anecdotes. Thanks

Submitted by: Helen Martin
East Kilbride, Scotland
21/09/08
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Some one metioned the teacher from Abbotsford Primary who was murdered I was in her class at the time, Ithink her name was Miss Erskine. I was very young and just remember all the fuss, and that she was a lovely person, very caring

Submitted by: Morag Reilly
Glasgow, Scotland
21/09/08
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hi jackie, it is pat here, pat davis, can you remember me? my dad's family lived next door to you, i did e-mail you a few times, hope you and your family are well, my dad's name was barney davis hope to hear from you love patx

Submitted by: Pat Davis
London, England
21/09/08
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Does anyone know the whereabouts of two fellows, Eddie O'Neill or John Kelly? They were friends of my brother, Hugh (Shug) McGettigan, who died last October. They would be in their late 60's, early 70's. I think that Eddie O'Neill came to the USA years ago.

Submitted by: Margaret Burgdorf (McGettigan)
USA 20/09/08
Email: Glenmornin@aol.com
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F.A.O.OF JIM HALL WELL WELL JIM I AM SURPRISED TO SEE YOU AR STILL LIVING IN LONDON I THOUGHT YOU WOULD BE BACK IN GLESGA BY NOW I ALSO REMEMBER THE RIELLY'S YOUNG AGNES USED TO BABYSIT FOR YOUR MA AND DA I REMEMBER AGNES WELL BECAUSE SHE WAS THE FIRST LASSIE THAT I DANCED WIYH EVER

Submitted by: Ist Time Dropper
Leeds, England
20/09/08
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Our first ever seance in the Norfolk Street tennaments...No 33. Practical joke on our neighbours, the Gunns Andrew and Theresa, involving a piece of thread, a curtain and resulting in a Jobbie left in the lobby...

Submitted by: Jamie Kerr
Lowesoft, England
20/09/08
Email: jamiekerr5@hotmail.co.uk
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So many readers lived in Lawmoor St in the fifties yet no one knew the best looking girl in the street named Betty Herbertson. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Submitted by: George Connor
Toronto, Canada
19/09/08
Email: careyconnor74@hotmail.com
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Ten Quid, I have no doubt ypou have some wonderful stories to tell about the old Gorbals, what age were you when you left to go to Aussie. I think you should write your book as it will be more interesting than recent ones I have read, just a wee tip make sure you get a professional to help you because it can get boring for people who dont understand the real gorbals lingo cheers

Submitted by: Sanny
brighton, England
19/09/08
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hi dennis, my first day at st johns primary"photo in mitchell virtual"ended when i bumped my head and the teacher gave me a big penny to place on it to take the swelling down, happy days.

Submitted by: Brian Martin
Glasgow, Scotland
19/09/08
Email: brianmartin26@fsmail.net
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Hi to Margaret who was enquiring about Brennan's or Lambie in the family. I went to John St. Sec. School with an Ina Lambie in the late 40's-early 50's. All I remember about her was she was the most beautiful writer. I wanted to write just like her.

Submitted by: Jean Fairie
Melbourne, Australia
19/09/08
Email: gorbals@aapt.net.au
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Hi to Margaret who was enquiring about Brennan's or Lambie in the family. I went to John St. Sec. School with an Ina Lambie in the late 40's-early 50's. All I remember about her was she was the most beautiful writer. I wanted to write just like her.

Submitted by: Jean Fairie
Not supplied
19/09/08
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I worked at John Dykes and Son's in Saltmarket. I am looking for former employees one of them being Jimmy Dawson who lived in the gorbals>1946 He was an amateure boxer. Sure would like to here from him or anyone who worked at the furniture factory

Submitted by: Bobby Thomson
New Westminster, Canada
18/09/08
Email: glasgow135@hotmail.com
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FAO: MICK M - hi i saw your comments about oatlands, i was born in wolseley st. remember most of what you say but can you tell me where was the paper mill? i also went to bonnies, but best pies were from willie knox in wolseley st. cheers.

Submitted by: Martin Curran
East Kilbride, Scotland
18/09/08
Email: mcoo9b6801@blueyonder.co.uk
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FAO J woods. I cant help thinking about big hastie.He used to sit with his feet up picking his nose,telling everybody how mental he was. I remember being moved to the grange and big hastie making us nick some brand new dustbins and putting them in the back of his car.Also wee jimmy vaughan,what a character.Does anyone remember Mr sullivan in bosco who gave you the belt and you never went back for more.

Submitted by: Mick M
Glasgow, Scotland
18/09/08
Email: oatlands01@live.com
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i was born moffat st 1945 left 1953 to dale st brigton went to st francis primary then sacred heart primary and secondery enjoying reading anecdotes thank you all.

Submitted by: Marie Dougall
Glasgow, Scotland
17/09/08
Email: m.meechan@mypostoffice.co.uk
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Re-Norrie Ross I remember all the shops you mention another small shop that was next to my grannies the man was about 4ft. tall had a hump on his back he was called Walter always very cheerie I remember it was afruit shop but he sold sweets as well on the other corner was a dairy I used to call it eastons it went round the corner into Cramond St but I see a note from Mick M saying it was called Milford Moores he remembers all the other places well so hes probably right.

Submitted by: Christina Philbin
London, England
17/09/08
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Re-Dr.Emmie Gibb was my mothers Dr. my mother told me she brought me into the world.I thought she was a great Dr.she was so clever.One night during the war when the sirens went my sister was in bed with scarlet fever she was allowed to stay at home as there were no other children in the house I was evacuated.The next day dr.Gibb came to the house and asked my mother what she had done during the air raid my mother said I put her siren suit on her and wrapped her in a blanket put her in the go-chair and went to the shelter in the green Dr.Gibb was horified she said you could have given that child the biggest dose of brights disease the safest place for you to go is in the set-in bed.however no harm was done and my sister recovered.

Submitted by: Christina Philbin
London, England
17/09/08
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What is there about wee boys that they always seem to get themselves in bother?We were throwing a hard rubber ball about in the back court while we were playing Donkey.The ball was whizzing as fast as we boys could throw when I was taunted to throw it harder instead of like a lassie.Naturally I rose to the bait and wound myself up for the most powerful delivery I could muster.The ball zipped from my grasp and straight through the strange woman's window.Before the tinkling of glass stopped ,the back court was empty apart from the strange woman who let fly with strong invective.My mammy volunteered to pay up for a new windae despite the fact money was scarce in those days.And I was persona non grata for a while. Those were the days when smokers walked with a swagger and ,when they felt gallus,would throw away a large sized dowt.Of course what did the brave boy here do but pick up one of those dowts and proceed to take a puff,little realising that my older brother had seen me so doing.It was when Igot home that I found he had cliped on me .More than the cheeks on my face were red.But one good thing came out of it-I never became a smoker. Ye cannae fling pieces oot a twenty storey flat.My mammy didn't agree with flinging one out of a tenement.Food had to be eaten in the house.Everybody seemed to be having pieces wrapped in greaseproof paper and thrown down to them.So,in a fit of bravado I shouted up to the window and asked for a piece to be thrown down.To my request there came no response.I repeated it louder with no success.In frustration I shouted,"Ur yese deef up there?"The window shot open and I was told to get upstairs at wance. Once again more than the cheeks on my face were red. On Adelphi St just along from Ninian St a dairy had its premises.A couple of enterprising lads had scaled th wall and clambered inside in a search for a couple of bottles of milk.Rumours of the heist spread through the jungle telegraph and there seemed to be about 30-40 kids milling around the area to see the adventurers return.The crowd comprised kids,both male and female, of an age range from 6-13.This time at the age of 6 I was one of the innocent crowd when as luck would have the polis appeared on the scene just as the boys were returning with their liquid booty.We were all nicked,names taken,even wee lassies who ended in tears.However,all's well that ended well because my mammy who had a strong sense of injustice laid into the polis about taking it out on wee innocent sowls instead of trying to catch the real criminals.Shamefacedly,the polis beat a hasty retreat and we never heard another word about this incident. We got off scotfree

Submitted by: Denis
Glasgow, Scotland
16/09/08
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Do people really remember their first day at school?Or is it just a faux memory?I was equipped with a clean hankie for I knew not what.But it became clear to me what it was for as I watched several bubbling all around me.So I lent my hankie to the boy beside me ,although I had not the foggiest why any of them were bubbling. The little iron gate which was the entrance to St John's ,Portugal Street, was always locked at playtime.What gave me real pleasure was standing at that gate and seeing my mammy wheeling her pram full of washing to the local steamie which was at the top of the street past the iron gated entrance.I loved it when she came over to the gate to talk,if she passed that way at playtime.Presumably I always knew when she would be going to the steamie. Little pagans some of us were because we took great delight in clattering up and down the aisles of St John's Church in a chase when we came back at the end of dinnertime before the heidie(Or was it the jannie who rang the handbell?I firmly believe it was the heidie and the bell was his ring of authority) rang the bell.We also loved taking a sip of holy water from the font.Our stomachs must have been immune to the dire conditions such an unhealthy practice exposed us to.I never remember ever being caught out by any adult or priest when we charged about inside the church.Mind you,it was only galloping probably to hear the clatter on the stone floors that thrilled us.There was no vandalism,just high spirited running.

Submitted by: Denis
Glasgow, Scotland
16/09/08
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Trying to find information on my family from oatlands and the gorbals. grandmother annie moses nee curran last known in rosyth st oatlands, her sons david peter and samuel(my father). who changed their name to cameron i am sure my uncle david had two sons alan? and david?. My grandmother was from ireland and her sister in law was jessie curran. Trying so sort out my family tree, it would be nice to hear from any relations who might be out there. thank you.

Submitted by: Sam Cameron
Alfreton, Derbyshire
16/09/08
Email: hersnsirs@tiscali.co.uk
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My sister told me about this site, she has been enquiring about where my mum and dad lived and where i was born, 10 wellcroft place.does anyone remember a wilma Brennan, or Lambie? she was my godmother, and a friend of my mum. dont know where she lived though.

Submitted by: Margaret King
Haddington, Scotland
16/09/08
Email: maggsk1@hotmail.co.uk
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Hi from Australia to Denis from Glasgow. You spoke about climbing the dykes. Do you recall the Peeries somewhere not far from Rutherglen Road? We went there when we wanted to live dangerously. I also remember the war car O-Pen- PN to make sure the door was open when we reached our landing. I called that often because I was scared going up the tenement stairs in the dark with the yellow glow of the gas mantles on the stair landings which gave an eerie yellow glow which make my imagination see ghosts.

Submitted by: Jean Fairie
Melbourne, Australia
16/09/08
Email: gorbals@aapt.net.au
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FAO Mick M. I worked in the offices of Lawsons of Dyce in the 60s. I worked in the cash office with Irene jack who lived in Cally Road, I think number 305. I lived in toryglen by then although I was born & bred in Bedford St in the Gorbals. Irene & I became great pals.I often wondered what happened to her. Anyway we had some real laughs working in lawsons, I left there in 1969 to get married. Aye 39 years later we are still married, not bad eh. Agnes.

Submitted by: Agnes Herrity
Not supplied
15/09/08
Email: agnesherrity@hotmail.co.uk
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John bonner would u like to exchange cooking recipes or probably u could join a knitting bee! Theirs only 2 others who throw insults at members o this board please join them!

Submitted by: Ten Quid
Oz
15/09/08
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FAO. John Woods. I went to Bonnies 1967-70. Wee Frankie Vaughn was our form teacher. My mates were Jim feeney, Peter Comiskey, Colin mcFarlane, Chris Purcell, Alan Butler and a few more. Wee Bub was the heidie when I first went there along with Big Scud his enforcer. We had a great time hardly ever stopped laughing. Spent more time in Wee Bubs office than anywhere else. Then Big Hastie came legend had it he was an ex copper. he was a real case supposed to teach us maths but was more interested in p[laying footbal which none of us ever complained about. Great days would love to do it all again. Thanks for bringing back some memories John.

Submitted by: Mick Connolly
Glasgow, Scotland
15/09/08
Email: weemick@btinternet.com
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Wonder if anyone can recall the Mckimmies? In particular my Grandfather John and sister Jessie and brother Robert? My grandfather was born in 1919 so I think they were in the Gorbals until at least 1939 before they emigrated. Any info would be fab. Thanks

Submitted by: Aby Mason
Stoke-on-Trent, England
15/09/08
Email: aby@tabrep.com
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For all the oatlanders out there, my memories are the lawsons of dyce factory at the top of logan st. The wimpey behind rosyth st,The papey, which was a paper mill on wolesley st,John the garagemans across from the steamie,Jacobs chocolate factory doon the pend at polmadie road. Being a responsible child meant going to the newpenny with a note for tick or uncle johns pawn with something of value on a monday and collect on a friday.The things i will never forget about oatlands are the steamie,the pawn,miss winks,stokies,the splash,the molls mire,wee bonnies (the huts),and especially milford moores on polmadie rd at cramond st where the pies and peas were magic. God bless the oatlands

Submitted by: Mick M
Glasgow, Scotland
14/09/08
Email: oatlands01@live.com
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Sandra More of Adelphi Street comes to mind.Her dad loved to play darts and it was in their house I had my first game of darts. Playing on the dykes was one back court pastime.There was also a distillery warehouse at the top of Inverkip St and the drivers of the lorries often gave us youngsters lifts to and from the Kelvin Hall area. Football on the cobbles of Inverkip St was very popular ,although I never participated, preferring to ride up and down on a tricycle. Then of couse there were the stone throwing fights between those who lived at the top of the street and those who lived at the bottom,next to the Green's cinema. I don't recall anyone ever being hurt by the flying stones. Maybe we learned to dodge the hail of stones with nimble footwork. Nimble footwork was also needed when the local constabulary appeared on the scene in the middle of a football game. The players scattered to the four corners of the area, scrambling upstairs with the urgent warcry O-P-E-N to ensure that the door would open to secure asylum from the heavier footed cops who probably took great delight in seeing flocks of kids scattering and leaving the street deserted..

Submitted by: Denis
Glasgow, Scotland
14/09/08
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Are you out there? Ed Feeney, Ken Donnelly, Steve Thompson, Bill Gilroy, John Taylor, or the Hipsons from Hospital Street late 60s. All attended St.Lukes & St.Bonnies.

Submitted by: Anonymous
Glasgow, G42
14/09/08
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I thought I read that The John Bosco Sec School in Oatlands is being demolished. surely not! I attended this school in the late 60's as St.Bonaventure's in Alice St. The Bonnie's was pulled down in 1971, so surely it's replacement [John Bosco] has a longer shelf life? Or is it to make way for new housing?

Submitted by: Pat
London, England
14/09/08
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I was born at 30 Gilmour Street in the 1953. Parents Hugh and Mary Carlin (nee Buick). Have an older brother Harry and older sister Andrea. Left for Austrlia in 1955. Has anyone got any information in regard to my family or Gilmour Street. Thanks.

Submitted by: Mary Pattison
Melbourne, Australia
13/09/08
Email: tmr3@bigpond.com
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Hi Looking for anyone who went to St Bonaventures between 1967-1970 I played in the school football team had a twin brother called franny woods

Submitted by: John Woods
Glasgow, Scotland
12/09/08
Email: johnwoods55@msn.com
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To Linda from South Africa. if you go on to www.mitchelllibrary.org/virtualmitchell and go on to street search you will find a photo of pine st looking south to caledonia rd with oatlands school on the right.

Submitted by: Hugh Gibson
Beith, Scotland
12/09/08
Email: hughgibson@btinternet.com
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When I posted my little addition on your website,I made a mistake about the names of the twins.They were the Cleary boys,both blond and ,compared to me,tall.That would have been circa 1944-1949.It's funny how the right names come back when you relax.

Submitted by: Denis
Glasgow, Scotland
12/09/08
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Hi I am looking for reletives of the barbours who lived in Abbotford place

Submitted by: Margo
Gorbals, Glasgow
11/09/08
Email: mmckinven@tiscali.co.uk
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To Stewart Brown 29/08/08. Hi Stu, did you stay at 180 Pollokshaws Road? And were your neighbours the "Todd's and Coll's"

Submitted by: James Todd
East Kilbride, Glasgow
11/09/08
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ten quid,after reading of your exploits at adelphi and your sympathetic description of your young opponent i take my hat off to you. you are certainly a LEGEND in your own mind.if this is typical of your memoirs thank god they will not be published

Submitted by: John Bonar
Melbourne, Australia
10/09/08
Email: jbonar@yahoo7.com.au
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FAO Sanny you were right about Peggy neil she was a money lender,Peggy was my mothers oldes sister,I lived in 220b gorbals st up the pen Ileft in 1959 to do national service with the Cameronians then i signed on for a further 22years.Sanny have you heard of the bridens who lived in the gorbals lovely to here from you Adam easdon

Submitted by: Adam Easdon
Wokingham, Berkshire
10/09/08
Email: a.easdon@sky.com
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To C. Meek, Jean hear, I have sent you and email your more than welcom to reply, I would love to hear from you.

Submitted by: Jean Lynch
Church Hill TN, USA
10/09/08
Email: niaroo@embarqmail.com
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Hi Anne O'Neill, re hawking and Paddy's Market ( briggit ) Its possible my husband may know your uncles who were rag men,as his father and other family members were rag men and hawkers,my mother had a stall inside Paddy's market,she would go to the wholesalers in Gorbals and buy new goods for her stall,she also kept her wee bit of Dollops going too,my mother had a licence to sell,I remember watching folk coming into the lane with there bundles oan their backs,drop them on the ground and sell their bits and pieces,suddenly somebody would shout oot the police are coming and they would run like mad and leave their stuff on the ground Ha Ha Ha those were the day's right enough,mind there was some plain clothes police in the lane mingling amongst folk,and ready to grab anyone they could when the police arrived suppose that gave the police a head start Ha Ha

Submitted by: amb
South Lakeland, Cumbria
10/09/08
Email: agbmu@yahoo.co.uk
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Hi Amelia,had a wee laugh at your anecdote re ( candy balls sticking to your teeth for ever )Ha Ha,I love whelks can eat them to they come out my ears,also mussels,and just loved Irish dulce, my mouths watering just at the mention oh them Ha Ha

Submitted by: amb
South Lakeland, Cumbria
09/09/08
Email: agbmu@yahoo.co.uk
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Morag reilly/boyd I dont write in very often but I stayed in no3. Cumberland street the very first close in the street, Danny call stayed in no9 now I remember the boyds I believe you stayed near the Church? There was a family of reillys as well, but that throws me you said your husband lived in GorbalsX. Anyhows nice saying hello even if you dont know me Jim

Submitted by: Jim Hall
London, England
09/09/08
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My maiden name was Boyd lived at (now long gone) 93 Cumberland Street 1953-1958 then 41 Cumberland St 1958-1972 Married Gerry Reilly From Gorbals Cross 1977 we are back living in the Gorbals Guess we are just meant to be here! Love to hear from anyone who remembers either of us

Submitted by: Morag Reilly
Glasgow, Scotland
09/09/08
Email: the.reillys@hotmail.co.uk
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Robin Hayes, I noticed that you are from 29 Hospital St. I believe that the folks I am seeking lived there in the early 50's. The family name was Madden. I can see from your message that you would have been quite young but perhaps someone in your family remembers them. I would appreciate any information you could provide.

Submitted by: Susan
LA, USA
08/09/08
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Agnes Russell of Adelphi Street was the first girl I ever kissed. We were both 4 years old and we must have been a bit precocious or else we had seen too many Americans winching the local lassies up the closes. St.John's was my school and it was with a great deal of regret that I had to leave behind my friends, Willie McHugh, Eddie Burns and Danny Boyle. There was a teacher I really loved,Miss McKendrick.Twins,(were they the McInallies?)fascinated me. And Johnny Mack Brown was my hero at the Green's Saturday afternoon shows. There are countless memories but those are the ones that sprang to mind, when I stumbled across your intriguing site.

Submitted by: Denis
Glasgow, Scotland
08/09/08
Email: martianemperor@aol.com
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Hi all Moffat st. dwellers in the 30's & 40's. May Muir, Isabel Ralston are you out there. My granny lived up 410 Moffat st. same close as you, and I often wonder what happened to you. drop a message if you read this.

Submitted by: Jean Fairie
Melbourne, Australia
08/09/08
Email: gorbals@aapt.net.au
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Leaving Camden Street School in the summer of 1949 like all other kids was a great thrill as most of us wanted to attend Adelphi Terrace Junior secondary School.I being smarter passed for Strathbungo Senior Secondary! My memories of the school I was about to leave was one of a teachers Miss Bridges always immaculately dressed in her twin sets of many different colours, her hair was never out of place. The other thing was being the best fighter in the school The title came by me, by accident 'FK" we had people like Ian [Sloan] Brady, the moors murderer who was good at killing little kids but thankfully that was after he left the Gorbals to live in England although a nutter he was no fighter as I would find out later in life. Becoming the best fighter in the school was very easy as my reputation had preceded me after my London confrontations in the ring against the English boys. It soon became known that I was a bit of a pug [boxer] usually the best fighter, by reputation, came from the older class. The one above my own class, so I became the school bruiser quite accidentally There was scary Ian Sloan, I remember him hiding behind a wall in the playground in the all fours position. I saw him thru my beady eyes He was one of the boys who had flicked my ear with his finger on this cold winter’s morning as older kids do thinking themselves superior, creeping over behind him with my hard Parrish shoes on I kicked him up The Khyber Pass making him jump rubbing his tail bone vigorously while yelling and crying as he ran off well what was done, couldn’t be undone ! Instantly I was a hero with my pals over the next couple of weeks. They antagonized me to pick on the orang-utan he wasn’t called that for nothing as he had this spiky orange hair like the cartoon character in the Sunday papers oor wullie my so-called friends led me round to the shed were the orang-utan would be hanging around, there true to their word. He was litterly hanging from the rafters made from 1 inch pipe, forming gable ends to hold the rooftop up dropping from the rafters as I approached he straightened up with the knuckles of his hands still trailing on the ground this surely was a real orang-utan in the flesh, with his big thick glasses, made from the bottom of the milk bottles shit! I was never going to wear glasses, if it made me look like this monster walking over to me his knuckles ripping the concrete off the floor as he approached me grunting something that resembled a form of speech from the Stone Age. “He’s a "FN" re**** I can’t fight him.” I was thinking to myself. People would call me a liberty taker and I wasn’t that kind of person. Besides, he really was frightening the crap out of me as he slowly came closer, grunting some obscenities [I think!] I couldn’t understand. “Don’t let him call you that” someone said. “What did he say? Can anybody tell me?” I demanded “He said you’re a mug ten quid” one of the crowd interpreted “grumheernftnbooly.” The orang-utan said, I think! [come here and fight] “I should be feeding him bananas, not fighting with him the poor monkey.” I smugly thought to myself The crowd pushed us towards each other for the great battle of man against beast. I had remembered the two penny trick my dad taught me but! I hadn’t two pennies! Two marbles in my pocket should do the trick just the same. Clenching the marbles tightly in my right hand as this ape got too close for comfort, I let go with the right uppercut onto his chin The crowd cheering me on to hit him some more I just couldn’t bring myself to do it here was this so called bully of the School turning and running away with tears in his eyes, and only one punch, his knuckles still dragging the ground. This was not the sign of a hard case bully boy, more of a frightened animal The adrenalin only lasted a few seconds as this was no fight this really was a feeling of taking a liberty with a dumb animal and it gave me no pleasure whatsoever only shame, but that is the way it was in those days in the Gorbals There couldn’t have been much pain in the one punch It was solid, but if you’re going to fight. You must take it as well as give it. But then, maybe he’ll learn its better just to be one of the boys and leave the fighting to others its all in my book that i wont publish. ten quid

Submitted by: Ten Quid
Oz
07/09/08
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Hi, I am trying to trace my relations on my Fathers side of the family he was born in Lawmoor stree in 1943 his mothers name Mary Fairley and her parents were William Fairley and Marion Hamilton. I would be please if anyone could give even a little bit of info on the Fairley family

Submitted by: Linda Wood
Not supplied
06/09/08
Email: lindawoodlw@aol.com
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FAO Mick Brazil. I'm just back from a trip to Glasgow, where I stayed with Pat Trainer's brother, John. I can get you Pat's address, if you want.

Submitted by: Rose Doyle
Falcarragh, Ireland
06/09/08
Email: rosedoyle1@hotmail.com
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Hi - not strictly Gorbals orientated, but, does anyone remember a very sad stabbing of a baby in Govanhill? The baby was stabbed countless times while it sat in its pram - the murderer was caught and sentenced to life in Carstairs - can anyone remember this? It happened around late 1960 early 1970.

Submitted by: Ruth
Littlehampton
06/09/08
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FAO Adam easdon I remember wee peggy o neil she was a money lender her grandkids were margret and andy coburg dont remember the rankins ive tried to place you but cant I would need to know more about you as i get older it gets harder to remember did you stay in surry st I stayed in nicholson st from 46 to the 60s

Submitted by: Sanny
Brighton, England
06/09/08
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Does anyone have any photo's of Elmfoot Street (No.43) and or Pine Street (No 4). My family hails from these two streets I do know Pine Street no longer exists but would be great to get some photo's. Family names Smith and Dick. Any info would be welcome.

Submitted by: Linda
South Africa
06/09/08
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Anyone from the '40's in the Gorbals remember 'Sandshoe Wullie' who could have been a figment of someone's vivid imagination? He terrorised Rutherglen Road, Moffat St. Sandyfaulds St. and St. Francis school. I nearly died of fright when I thought he was following me home after school one day.

Submitted by: Jean Fairie
Melbourne, Australia
06/09/08
Email: gorbals@aapt.net.au
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Re-Agnes My first single-end in McNeil St. was a tiled close I was brought up on the other side of the St. which were not tiled my Grannys close in Polmadie Rd.was a tiled close also had a gate at the back of the close which was kept locked all the tenants had a key.Like Amelia we had to give key money to get a move to a bigger house a room&kitchen and scullery in Parkhead.Our factor was Sinclair 38 Renfield St went to see a Mr.Hayes(long since gone)you left an envelope on the counter as you left £25. so no witness My uncle papered house too as a wedding present our outside door was all hand grained and he bought us all the fittings for the door everybody used to admire it going up the stairs.My husband remembers the woman selling toffee apples from her window just before you come to the bees.Anyone remember the youth club there run by a Mr.Lamb I useed to do their book-keeping for them.By the way amelia thanks for the recipe for the scotch sausage I send it on to some! friends in Spain they were delighted plenty of sun sea and Sangria but no Square sausage.

Submitted by: Christina Philbin
London, England
06/09/08
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Hi, this is for your information...... Irene Blair, St. Johns Primary school was in Portugal St, that was for boys and girls, the St Johns Secondery school, was for all boys, and that was in Clennend St. Irene, just next ti the Scottish Farmers, and the wee hot nut, and tablet shop was, and yes the Barraland is still going, but its mostly concerts at it now.....awe the best, Tony Donnelly.

Submitted by: Tony Donnelly
Glasgow, Scotland
05/09/08
Email: tonyd67@ntlworld.com
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DORIS got to clear up a point men do get breast cancer but it turned out i didn't it was the medication i am taking for the heart bye pass as my heart is enlarged OH AM ALL HEART and i measure 42 inch round the chest [MAMIE VAN DORIN IMPERSONATOR] if any you ladies have an old training bra i would be grateful for the loan! but then from the age of 17 i was 40in chest from boxing in the old gorbals gym and weight lifting now my nipples are killing me! i did offer many girls if they would let me massage theirs now i know why i got all the knock backs even my misses said she had only a 32in bust so i would be better off rubbing her back as she was 2 at the front and 30 at the back! roll on next week hope the doc. can change my pills before i change my sex! ladies u do have my sympathy and if i die i will come back as a MAN AGAIN! this story is in the adult section of my book that i will not publish TEN QUID

Submitted by: Ten Quid
Oz
04/09/08
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FAO Amb/Cumbria I think everyone in Commercial Rd. sold stuff. My uncle Wullie Currie sold Whelks but he got a barrow from Hyslops in Gorbals St. and went round the streets. People sold Puff Candy, Candy walking sticks, candy balls that would have stuck you teeth forever no wonder I've got "falsies"

Submitted by: Amelia McKinlay
Glasgow, Scotland
04/09/08
Email: ameliamckinlay@msn.com
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Hi Rita the wee drinks that you were talking about were called a penny vantas I think you could get it in every flavour. The shop we went to was at the top end of Hospital st. facing the wee house were they weighed the big lorries. Does anyone remember the grain store in Cumberland/Gorbals st. The shop still stands to this day. Before people had matresses they would go along there and get a bail of straw and put it in a bolster bag. We were a wee bit rich because my father was a miner so we had flock stuff and every now and then your ma would empty it and wash the bolster bag and then refill it with the flock again. It was my job to sew the ends together so that the stuff wouldn't fall out. And what about the BUGS I don't think anyone has mentioned them they were flat insects and my grannie house in Commercial road had them. One woman I knew used to kill them when they were on the wall with a bit of paper so it looked like a brown design on the distemper. And what abou! t the distemper you rolled up a bit of paper and dipped it in another colour and went up and down the walls. An old pal of my ma's (Aggie Curran)done this design and you would have thought it was a motor bike running up and down the walls HA!HA! The shop with the woman called Mirren wee called her Murren I think she sold the gas mantles and low behold if your mother sent you for one and it came in broken she gave you what for.

Submitted by: Amelia McKinlay
Glasgow, Scotland
04/09/08
Email: ameliamckinlay@msn.com
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Trying to trace James Mongomery, born late 60's. From the Gorbals, his family was around Easterhouse. He is a chef and was working in Ireland until 1994, he worked in the Step Inn and Merrion House and then was working for Microsoft. Robin would like to know more!

Submitted by: Rachel Ward
Dublin, Ireland
04/09/08
Email: rachelward72@gmail.com
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Life is funny if it wasn’t so sore! thinking back many years ago when I was only a kid and a member of the Boy Scouts one of my past times after scout Meetings was to catch Hudgies my favorite one was the L.M.S railway truck that traveled along here there and everywhere the L.M.S truck was slow making it easy for kids of eight or nine to catch and hang onto its low back tray with its 2inch square steel sides just right for a brave Cub Scout like me to grasp onto. my cub cap like everything else was a bit too big hiding my beady eyes as I ran helter-skelter after the truck when it came to a very sudden halt at the then Crown Street and Cumberland Street intersection and I also came to a sudden halt as my head crashed into the side rail of the three Wheeler giving me a lump the size of a tennis ball and a black-eye to match! as I pulled my Cap Over the lump and staggered on my way passed the trucks cabin determined not to cry the driver took it upon himself to leap out! and give me another lump on the tailbone of my arse.The funny side was for the people watching this little boy rubbing his forehead with his right hand and the fingers of his left hand pressing right up his rectum to console his tailbone it felt so bad as if the men in the illegal two up schools in the back yards had used me as the pennies HEADS OR TAILS Life is funny if it wasn’t so sore! It’s all in my true book that I am not going to publish. Ten quid

Submitted by: Ten Quid
Oz
04/09/08
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I am trying to find info on my Grandpa Alexander Hughes who was last seen in 1943 apprx. My grandma Mary Graham Kane died in 1934, leaving my dad to be brought up by Elizabeth Kane (nee kinney). Been searching for years for details on Alexander born oatbridge 1906. Hope someone out there can help. Lorraine

Submitted by: Lorraine Hughes
Glasgow, Scotland
03/09/08
Email: peebles@ntlworld.com
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I've posted this again since i didnt get a response. someone who did not supply a name said "the mcconvilles went to Castlemilk". Which McConvilles would that be? i was a mcconville

Submitted by: Not supplied
Not supplied
03/09/08
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Hi susan , yes there was a street named Wellcroft Pace, it was just off Eglinton st and ran behind the railway station at Cumberland st. I may well have a photo of it if you are interested. Bye for now, norrie mcnamee

Submitted by: Norrie
Glasgow, Scotland
03/09/08
Email: norman_mcnamee@hotmail.com
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FAO Jean Doughty I was always led to believe that Alex Norton came from Moffat St but I might be wrong. Amelia

Submitted by: Amelia McKinlay
Glasgow, Scotland
02/09/08
Email: ameliamckinlay@msn.com
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FAO Susan Dickson yes there is still a Wellcroft place but they have new houses in it now not like the old tenements there was years ago. It is at the end of Cumberland St. near Eglington St. Amelia

Submitted by: Amelia McKinlay
Glasgow, Scotland
02/09/08
Email: ameliamckinlay@msn.com
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Susan - I'm sure Wellcroft Place was off Eglinton St just at the old Bedford cinema, just a short st, had a lumber there from Diamond's dancing academy in Gorbals St, this was '46 OR '47,,her name was Mary, all I can remember----I'm an oooold man, had my first grown up kiss round the corner under the bridge, then an old drunk guy came by and had a pee----sounded like a Clydesdale---then he shouted "get in there Big Yin", took all the romance out of it, still, I remember Mary...hope this helps.

Submitted by: Charley Broon
Winnipeg, Canada
02/09/08
Email: shawfieldc57@mts.net
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och, ten quid ,am a wee bit peturbed wi ye, why you might ask , well if yir no gonnie write yir book how are all the new wave of Gorbals folks gonnie learn the reel history no awe that kinda documentry in the other punters books to me it wisnea enough aboot awe the real folks growing up wi nae da ti hon in a pye steady every week n cafoliks had a hard time getting a decent pying joab. So gies a good reader or its a wee dooing fur ye.Oh n aye yir german bons must hiv been kiling ye efter awe that bleeding typing yi done fur yir las letter. Been enjoying looking at the hames yir cousin has been building oot o this wurld smashing hiv tae ask him tae build wan fur me n gies a good deal fur auld times sakes (aye right) So ti all the giblins shanklins steels boyds boles n awe the HUTCHISON TOFFS IN THE NOO HOOSES AROUND SNOWDON ST my sister irene she says to say hi ti ye awe and di neebors still all tap each other ti friday or run ti the pawn wi with what ever wis decent h! a ha did john the pawns ever go oot o business so tq gies another page as the last one was i say every educaional (smile) oh and nae snide letters aboot ma spelling if yw cannie underston it oh well best ti every wan oh wee wumin howz it gon hen best ti ye dam

Submitted by: Doris McIntyre
Slo, USA
02/09/08
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Hi my name is agnes Burns I was born in Nicholson St in the Gorbals 1948, we lived in a room of a house ( sublet ) and as is known the area was a bit run down not the best of housing and there was some poverty, we may not have been rich or wealthy but my sister and I were a pair of lucky wee lassies, in that we were cared for , food to eat, good clothes on our backs, shoes on our feet, now thats what I call rich,I remember the coronation my sister and wee cousin were Queen and duke for the day, my Daddy was a merchant seaman for a lot of years but took ill halfway through a voyage and was sent home, he had contacted ( TB ) Tuberculosis he died late fifties in Belvedere Sanitorium/Convelesent Hospital when I was just a wee lassie, sometimes I lived with my granny in Commercial Rd, Sou Side, she had a room & kitchen ( shop house )near a picture house called The Bees, her house was just in the close, and my granny sold candy apples from her window, to get to the backc! ourt you had to go down into a dark damp creepy dunny and up some more stairs,there was also a lovely marble fountain in Commercial Rd near my granny's close, one day my aunty took me along to the picture house, it was my first time at the pictures, I was only a wean at the time, we waited in a queue to get in, when inside I was sat down on a seat, the lights went out I was scared, curtains opened, a big lions head appeared and let out such a roar I thought the lion was going to jump out at me, I screamed and had to be carried back to the house Ha Ha, took me a long time before I ever went to a picture house again, AMB

Submitted by: Amb
South Lakeland, Cumbria
04/09/08
Email: agbmu@yahoo.co.uk
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