DEANO3528
30-05-2011, 01:25
Please excuse if this is in the wrong bit but I think I just had a revelation!
For more years than I can remember, I have had an enduring image of missiles pointing skyward near Southend on Sea.
It would have been around the mid-sixties and as my grandparents lived in Wakering we would spend the Saturday shopping in town (my Dad worked away all week) followed by a trip along the seafront to see the illuminations and then through Shoebury to see 'the folks' where Dad and Grandad would go for a pint (to see how deep the snow was they told me) at the Red Lion.
I knew from this memory I have that we were well past the illuminations and that as the road bore left the missiles were right in front of us.
Since joining here the other day I have now put the story together and it appears that there was indeed a missile site here, called Horseshoe Barracks that held 36th & 37th Reg RA which was equipped with Thunderbird Mk1.
Mystery solved!
Some pics on their site at http://www.36regimentra.org.uk/PAlbum/id19.htm
Admittedly it's not an actual airfield but it is the defence thereof.
There are still bits to see on GE. Just follow the seafront from the pier, all the way along past Thorpe Bay and as the road bears left the site is dead ahead.
For more years than I can remember, I have had an enduring image of missiles pointing skyward near Southend on Sea.
It would have been around the mid-sixties and as my grandparents lived in Wakering we would spend the Saturday shopping in town (my Dad worked away all week) followed by a trip along the seafront to see the illuminations and then through Shoebury to see 'the folks' where Dad and Grandad would go for a pint (to see how deep the snow was they told me) at the Red Lion.
I knew from this memory I have that we were well past the illuminations and that as the road bore left the missiles were right in front of us.
Since joining here the other day I have now put the story together and it appears that there was indeed a missile site here, called Horseshoe Barracks that held 36th & 37th Reg RA which was equipped with Thunderbird Mk1.
Mystery solved!
Some pics on their site at http://www.36regimentra.org.uk/PAlbum/id19.htm
Admittedly it's not an actual airfield but it is the defence thereof.
There are still bits to see on GE. Just follow the seafront from the pier, all the way along past Thorpe Bay and as the road bears left the site is dead ahead.