Photos of John’s Early Years
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John left school at 15 when his dad died and went to work on the railways, his work colleagues in August 1941
John’s days on the railways. He worked in North Walsham (which had 2 stations then, he liked to call the M&GN (Middle and Great Northern) line the ‘Muddle-and-get-nowhere-Railway!’
A steam train perhaps at one of North Walsham’s stations in the 1950’s
Before John and Irene had even met they were both present in Norwich at the coronation ceremonies for Queen Elizabeth, who succeeded her father King George VI as monarch on the 2nd June 1953. The queen visited Norwich and Irene (mum) was with the nurses in the picture and John (dad) was out of frame to the left. Little did they know John & Irene would meet and marry soon after this was taken!
Irene and John on a rare camping trip in the 1950’s, something they never did ever again, camping wasn’t for them!!
Irene on that same camping trip in the 50’s, somewhere in Devon
John and Irene in Great Yarmouth on a day out! 22nd September 1951 by the pier
Irene is given away at her wedding to John in May 1953 at Meeting Hill Chapel in Norfolk
The wedding, back row from left: Grace Thurling. Alan Featherstone, John & Irene Furmage!, Irene’s mum and dad, children?
John & Irene get married! May 1953
John with Colin, around 1955
Irene with Colin around 1957
Colin getting older! around 1958
David arrives and immediately makes Colin’s life difficult by destroying his things!, 1959
Irene with Colin and David at Dartington Hall Music College with the unique banked grass in the background
David and Colin in the garden of their Auntie Grace and Uncle Frank (Thurling) in North Walsham around 1962/3
Irene and David playing crazy golf in Cromer around 1965
John hard at work in his garden! at 1 Vicarage Road, Cromer
A high-angle view from David’s bedroom of dad and the back of the garden at Vicarage Road, Cromer
David riding his bike in the lane immediately behind our garden in Vicarage Road, Cromer
Cromer Parish Church, where John was treasurer
Colin by the river in Thetford, where we lived for a few years, around 1966