THIS photograph comes to us all of the way from 8, Rosemount Close, Washington, Tyne and Wear NE37 1PJ, but it definitely has its roots right here in the Black Country.
The sender is former Cradley schoolboy John Cole, who has certainly seen the world since leaving these parts for a life at sea, back in the late 1950s.
This photograph shows his school football team at St Peter’s C of E School, in season 1951-52.
John Cole is stranding on the far left., The only other names he can recall are John Parry, seated far left, and Ray Taylor, standing far right. The teacher on the left is Mr Lissiemore, and on the right Mr Yates, headmaster.
John Cole writes, “From St Peter’s I went up to Homer Hill School, and in July 1957 when I left I joined the Royal Navy at HMS Ganges in Shotley, Suffolk. After training here and at HMS Raleigh as a marine engineer, I joined my first ship HMS Loch Alvie in the Persian Gulf. I served on various ships and shore establishments until July 1969”.
