Comments for Facts About Durban http://www.fad.co.za Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:45:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on Bits ‘n’ Pieces II by Trevor Friend http://www.fad.co.za/2012/01/27/bits-n-pieces-ii/#comment-422 Trevor Friend Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:45:35 +0000 http://www.fad.co.za/?p=532#comment-422 I agree with Graeme & Warren as there is further evidence in the picture. In front of the single decker bus on the left of the picture is one of the big wheels of the gun carriages that were situated at the front of City Hall. So City Hall must be out of the picture on the left. Also another single decker bus is in front of the war memorial in what must be Church Street with Gardiner Street and the "old" Old Mutual building on the other side of the war memorial. Finally, if you look in front of and through the drivers window of the trolly bus on the right of the picture, you can see the bus shelter awning that was located on West Street alongside Farewell Square. Also, note the trolly bus cables above West Street and the angled parking bays that were prevalent in West/Smith/Church/Gardener and many other streets. The Pickup vehicle looks like it might have an NDC (Natal Durban Corporation) number plate. I agree with Graeme & Warren as there is further evidence in the picture. In front of the single decker bus on the left of the picture is one of the big wheels of the gun carriages that were situated at the front of City Hall. So City Hall must be out of the picture on the left. Also another single decker bus is in front of the war memorial in what must be Church Street with Gardiner Street and the “old” Old Mutual building on the other side of the war memorial. Finally, if you look in front of and through the drivers window of the trolly bus on the right of the picture, you can see the bus shelter awning that was located on West Street alongside Farewell Square. Also, note the trolly bus cables above West Street and the angled parking bays that were prevalent in West/Smith/Church/Gardener and many other streets. The Pickup vehicle looks like it might have an NDC (Natal Durban Corporation) number plate.

]]> Comment on Bits ‘n’ Pieces II by Warren http://www.fad.co.za/2012/01/27/bits-n-pieces-ii/#comment-420 Warren Sun, 19 Feb 2012 00:10:32 +0000 http://www.fad.co.za/?p=532#comment-420 Re: The photo in Gardner street. I agree with Graeme - it was taken either in front of the city baths or a bit further up. The building on the left under construction was the Allied or United building society (can't remember which one - the age thing). If you look closely you can see the war memorial. The white building(s) were demolished to make way for the new Old Mutual Building about 15 years ago. The Royal Hotel is out of picture to the left as is the City Hall. If the photographer had turned about 40 degrees both would have come into picture. Re: The photo in Gardner street. I agree with Graeme – it was taken either in front of the city baths or a bit further up. The building on the left under construction was the Allied or United building society (can’t remember which one – the age thing).

If you look closely you can see the war memorial. The white building(s) were demolished to make way for the new Old Mutual Building about 15 years ago.

The Royal Hotel is out of picture to the left as is the City Hall. If the photographer had turned about 40 degrees both would have come into picture.

]]> Comment on The Durban Regiment by T.J.Knoesen http://www.fad.co.za/2011/09/14/the-durban-regiment/#comment-415 T.J.Knoesen Mon, 13 Feb 2012 19:26:40 +0000 http://www.fad.co.za/?p=265#comment-415 73247249 BA Rfn T.J.Knoesen 5 SAI Ladysmith 1975 June to 1976 June Operation Savannah 1975/1976 plus a trip to Eenhana. 1976 to 1987 with Durban Regiment on various camps to SWA and Jozini. 73247249 BA Rfn T.J.Knoesen 5 SAI Ladysmith 1975 June to 1976 June
Operation Savannah 1975/1976 plus a trip to Eenhana.
1976 to 1987 with Durban Regiment on various camps to SWA and Jozini.

]]> Comment on Bits ‘n’ Pieces II by Graeme http://www.fad.co.za/2012/01/27/bits-n-pieces-ii/#comment-403 Graeme Mon, 30 Jan 2012 07:07:51 +0000 http://www.fad.co.za/?p=532#comment-403 I don't think that pic was taken near Gardner street bru. I think that was taken outside the town garden's swimming pool. The South Beach buss used to leave from outside the pool to take us to the beach, remember...... What would it be doing parked in Gardner street..... unless the Corpi driver was having a millshake at the Model Dairy and took a chance to use his company transport...... I don’t think that pic was taken near Gardner street bru. I think that was taken outside the town garden’s swimming pool.
The South Beach buss used to leave from outside the pool to take us to the beach, remember……
What would it be doing parked in Gardner street….. unless the Corpi driver was having a millshake at the Model Dairy and took a chance to use his company transport……

]]> Comment on Nightclubs anyone? by Okavonga Jack http://www.fad.co.za/2011/10/09/nightclubs-anyone/#comment-400 Okavonga Jack Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:48:59 +0000 http://www.fad.co.za/?p=320#comment-400 Hi guys + dolls , Great site which brings back fantastic memories...have many myself of places that are mentioned throughout your website... One of which is an amusing tale of a lady who was a true soccer groupie - name witheld for obvious reasons...anyhow I fancied her strong as she was a stunner but was reliably informed that one had to be a footballer to have any chance of some fun with her..fortunately it was reported that Mickey Rose ( goalkeeper ) was to be transferred to Dbn United from East London and I was duly introduced to this honey as Mickey himself !!! She showed immediate interest and obviously wanted to have first helpings of the new Dbn United star !!! After several plus drinks at Fathers Moustache we ended up at the Cosmo, where I was fairly well known, and accordingly welcomed !!! This duly confirmed my status as a celeb...things went swimmingly and we bought a bottle of Mainstay, had pictures taken and danced the night away ....with Madam X becoming increasingly frisky though somewhat perturbed as to my being fit for Sundays game ....kick off as I recall being 3 0'clockish... I reminded her that my transfer wasnt ratified yet and we duly went back to my apartment and consumated our relationship well into the early hours of Sunday morning ...she cooked a fantstic breakfast ( given the minimal ingredients available in a batchelors pad ) ...headed off to New Kingsmead where she soon discovered that I wasnt actually Micky Rose !!!! It was a brutal but sad ending to a brief but unforgetable 18 plus hours !!! Needless to say she didnt accompany me to the German Club in Westville that night although we did nod greetings to each other for many years to come... What a pleasure perusing through this site which makes me grateful that I experienced and enjoyed many, if not all, of the places mentioned throughout...and no doubt stood alongside some of the readers quaffing Lion Ale and Spook and Diesels !!!! Couple of places which havent been mentioned but spring to mind...Snappy Snacks...Plaza Hotel with dirt cheap and great value Pub grub...Minute Steaks R1.50 or less if my memory serves me right...The Nest/Cuban Hat...Polar Bar ( got my taste for Root Beer )..Harcourt Hotel ...shebeens on Umgeni Rd ...most of which were run by an Indian called ''fats'''...Oxford /Capri/Roxy all day movies...Rag Day...Steak House on Aliwal Street...Grey St tailors and the Indian Market ( Pe yong tung/ Spanish Fly that infamous aphrodisiac !!! )...fishing off West St Groyne ...the wreck off South Beach... Putt Putt ....late night burgers and shakes at Blue Lagoon...and so on.. Typical weekend : Friday night - Cocktail hours at the Bull Ring / Cookie Look ....amble across to Father's...head for Mayfair ( 1st Floor ) then perhaps Smuggies/Cosmo/one that the name escapes me in alley way leading to John Ross House.. Sat - depending on season perm any one from Cricket at Old Kingsmead/rugger at King's Park/racing at Greyville/Clairwood or Scottsville...then early doors any of the hotels prob end up at Los Angeles - Robert E Lee - maybe afterwards Mayfair / Elangeni ladies bar..maybe 'open' house party at a mess in Dbn North...burgers at Blue Lagoon then buy Sunday Papers from lights at Umgeni./Goble (?) Rd. ...head home with no fear off being breathalized... Sunday - Body surfing off North Beach ...either swimming out in the rip or diving off the end of the pier ( if offshore wind of course ...if not couple of lenghts in the Beach Baths)...if winter lunch at New Kingsmead followed by watching Dbn United/City/Addington....if summer poss picnic at Thomson's Bay/Toti...followed by matinee session with bird which one had met at any of the aforementioned having perhaps watched/partaken in the amateur boxing opp Old Kingsmead (local matchmakeer v good at match ups )...and then if not cracked it last chance saloon being off to the German Club ( needed to be Quasi Modo to miss there ) late night meal at a dive up near the beach front end of West Street (never knew its name)- mixed grill for about R4.50 incl. beer...home jerome for nuptials with latest ''hang'' found at any of aforementioned, listening to Wings/T Rex/Rodrigues poss stopping off at Snake Park to initiate foreplay... Monday stagger into toil for r+r and counting down to forthcoming weekend,,, Oh yes I remeber them well...no doubt you do as well !!!! Best wishes to all and as they say in the classics...thanx for the memories !!! Hi guys + dolls ,

Great site which brings back fantastic memories…have many myself of places that are mentioned throughout your website…

One of which is an amusing tale of a lady who was a true soccer groupie – name witheld for obvious reasons…anyhow I fancied her strong as she was a stunner but was reliably informed that one had to be a footballer to have any chance of some fun with her..fortunately it was reported that Mickey Rose ( goalkeeper ) was to be transferred to Dbn United from East London and I was duly introduced to this honey as Mickey himself !!! She showed immediate interest and obviously wanted to have first helpings of the new Dbn United star !!! After several plus drinks at Fathers Moustache we ended up at the Cosmo, where I was fairly well known, and accordingly welcomed !!! This duly confirmed my status as a celeb…things went swimmingly and we bought a bottle of Mainstay, had pictures taken and danced the night away ….with Madam X becoming increasingly frisky though somewhat perturbed as to my being fit for Sundays game ….kick off as I recall being 3 0′clockish… I reminded her that my transfer wasnt ratified yet and we duly went back to my apartment and consumated our relationship well into the early hours of Sunday morning …she cooked a fantstic breakfast ( given the minimal ingredients available in a batchelors pad ) …headed off to New Kingsmead where she soon discovered that I wasnt actually Micky Rose !!!!

It was a brutal but sad ending to a brief but unforgetable 18 plus hours !!! Needless to say she didnt accompany me to the German Club in Westville that night although we did nod greetings to each other for many years to come…

What a pleasure perusing through this site which makes me grateful that I experienced and enjoyed many, if not all, of the places mentioned throughout…and no doubt stood alongside some of the readers quaffing Lion Ale and Spook and Diesels !!!!

Couple of places which havent been mentioned but spring to mind…Snappy Snacks…Plaza Hotel with dirt cheap and great value Pub grub…Minute Steaks R1.50 or less if my memory serves me right…The Nest/Cuban Hat…Polar Bar ( got my taste for Root Beer )..Harcourt Hotel …shebeens on Umgeni Rd …most of which were run by an Indian called ”fats”’…Oxford /Capri/Roxy all day movies…Rag Day…Steak House on Aliwal Street…Grey St tailors and the Indian Market ( Pe yong tung/ Spanish Fly that infamous aphrodisiac !!! )…fishing off West St Groyne …the wreck off South Beach… Putt Putt ….late night burgers and shakes at Blue Lagoon…and so on..

Typical weekend :

Friday night – Cocktail hours at the Bull Ring / Cookie Look ….amble across to Father’s…head for Mayfair ( 1st Floor ) then perhaps Smuggies/Cosmo/one that the name escapes me in alley way leading to John Ross House..

Sat – depending on season perm any one from Cricket at Old Kingsmead/rugger at King’s Park/racing at Greyville/Clairwood or Scottsville…then early doors any of the hotels prob end up at Los Angeles – Robert E Lee – maybe afterwards Mayfair / Elangeni ladies bar..maybe ‘open’ house party at a mess in Dbn North…burgers at Blue Lagoon then buy Sunday Papers from lights at Umgeni./Goble (?) Rd. …head home with no fear off being breathalized…

Sunday – Body surfing off North Beach …either swimming out in the rip or diving off the end of the pier ( if offshore wind of course …if not couple of lenghts in the Beach Baths)…if winter lunch at New Kingsmead followed by watching Dbn United/City/Addington….if summer poss picnic at Thomson’s Bay/Toti…followed by matinee session with bird which one had met at any of the aforementioned having perhaps watched/partaken in the amateur boxing opp Old Kingsmead (local matchmakeer v good at match ups )…and then if not cracked it last chance saloon being off to the German Club ( needed to be Quasi Modo to miss there ) late night meal at a dive up near the beach front end of West Street (never knew its name)- mixed grill for about R4.50 incl. beer…home jerome for nuptials with latest ”hang” found at any of aforementioned, listening to Wings/T Rex/Rodrigues poss stopping off at Snake Park to initiate foreplay…

Monday stagger into toil for r+r and counting down to forthcoming weekend,,,

Oh yes I remeber them well…no doubt you do as well !!!!

Best wishes to all and as they say in the classics…thanx for the memories !!!

]]> Comment on Bits ‘n’ Pieces II by Allan Hannah http://www.fad.co.za/2012/01/27/bits-n-pieces-ii/#comment-399 Allan Hannah Sat, 28 Jan 2012 16:10:45 +0000 http://www.fad.co.za/?p=532#comment-399 Hi Emmie I remember the “Back Room” very well! It was situated in the Palace Hotel in Gillespie Street but I suspect that “Back” was the pronunciation of the name “Baq”! As I recall, and could be wrong, the name was The Baq Room, Baq being pronounced as “Back”! The hotel itself had a thin façade onto Gillespie Street but extended far back (excuse the pun) into the property. To the left of the hotel front was an alley which led to the side entrance of the “public bar” in the hotel. A rather unsavoury alley, if I remember correctly. The first I visited the Baq Room I tried to gain entrance to the nightclub via the alley, quickly reversed and went up the steps to the main entrance and asked enquiries how to get to the Baq Room! I then walked down the long passage to the entrance to the Baq Room situated to the rear of the building, passing a much more respectable entrance to the bar as I went! That was the first of many enjoyable visits to this club! Quite a few memorable evenings! Seems like just the two of us were aware of the club!! See my previous input under Happy Happy in the diary! Best Wishes Allan Hannah Hi Emmie
I remember the “Back Room” very well!
It was situated in the Palace Hotel in Gillespie Street but I suspect that “Back” was the pronunciation of the name “Baq”!
As I recall, and could be wrong, the name was The Baq Room, Baq being pronounced as “Back”!
The hotel itself had a thin façade onto Gillespie Street but extended far back (excuse the pun) into the property. To the left of the hotel front was an alley which led to the side entrance of the “public bar” in the hotel. A rather unsavoury alley, if I remember correctly.
The first I visited the Baq Room I tried to gain entrance to the nightclub via the alley, quickly reversed and went up the steps to the main entrance and asked enquiries how to get to the Baq Room! I then walked down the long passage to the entrance to the Baq Room situated to the rear of the building, passing a much more respectable entrance to the bar as I went! That was the first of many enjoyable visits to this club! Quite a few memorable evenings!
Seems like just the two of us were aware of the club!! See my previous input under Happy Happy in the diary!
Best Wishes
Allan Hannah

]]> Comment on Happy, happy!! by Allan Hannah http://www.fad.co.za/2011/12/31/happy-happy/#comment-388 Allan Hannah Mon, 09 Jan 2012 15:25:11 +0000 http://www.fad.co.za/?p=508#comment-388 Hi AllanJ Glad to see that you are still perambulating along and haven’t been eaten by a dingo! And belated but sincere best wishes for 2012, and the future, of course!! Caught up with GB the other day and I think that he was quite pleased to get rid of me, eventually! We reminisced in true FAD tradition and there may have been a tear in the eye from time to time, thankfully mostly tears of laughter! I reminded him about the drinking spots in Durban and he politely listened to me but I could see that he was somewhere else and not too far from having a little snooze! Having read David Baird’s excellent and almost all embracing article on watering spots and then following up with the John Taylor article on a similar subject I felt quite ashamed of beating the GB ear on much the same subject!!! However, there was one little drinking hole that I did not notice in either of the articles! The was a hotel to the land side of the Fairhaven (of Coca Cola sign fame), in Gillespie street I think, which was called the Palace Hotel. Not a very inspiring façade I’m afraid and to get to the Baq Room, where the music was, you needed to walk down a fairly long and very straight passage past reception to your right, the pub entrance on the left and then through the door to the Baq Room. Always a live band and singer in attendance and an appreciative audience listening and sometimes dancing! There seemed to be some connection with Rhodesia as I think that I remember the bands and the songbirds often talking about up North. Maybe David or John ended up in this joint some evening and can give input on the Baq Room! Regards AllanH Hi AllanJ
Glad to see that you are still perambulating along and haven’t been eaten by a dingo!
And belated but sincere best wishes for 2012, and the future, of course!!
Caught up with GB the other day and I think that he was quite pleased to get rid of me, eventually!
We reminisced in true FAD tradition and there may have been a tear in the eye from time to time, thankfully mostly tears of laughter!
I reminded him about the drinking spots in Durban and he politely listened to me but I could see that he was somewhere else and not too far from having a little snooze! Having read David Baird’s excellent and almost all embracing article on watering spots and then following up with the John Taylor article on a similar subject I felt quite ashamed of beating the GB ear on much the same subject!!!
However, there was one little drinking hole that I did not notice in either of the articles! The was a hotel to the land side of the Fairhaven (of Coca Cola sign fame), in Gillespie street I think, which was called the Palace Hotel. Not a very inspiring façade I’m afraid and to get to the Baq Room, where the music was, you needed to walk down a fairly long and very straight passage past reception to your right, the pub entrance on the left and then through the door to the Baq Room. Always a live band and singer in attendance and an appreciative audience listening and sometimes dancing! There seemed to be some connection with Rhodesia as I think that I remember the bands and the songbirds often talking about up North. Maybe David or John ended up in this joint some evening and can give input on the Baq Room!
Regards
AllanH

]]> Comment on Flying boat by Michael Horn http://www.fad.co.za/2011/09/03/flying-boat/#comment-384 Michael Horn Mon, 02 Jan 2012 05:50:10 +0000 http://www.fad.co.za/2011/09/03/flying-boat/#comment-384 Hi, I found your website while searching for historical material related to my mother who lived for her first 32 years in Durban. Helen married my father Peter Horn in Durban in October 1946. My father was a Captain with Imperial/BOAC and flew fying boats after the war between UK and SA. He was the skipper of the last commercial flying boat to leave Durban - the Caledonia - on 12th March 1947 for Southampton. I have a number of photos and 2 cartoons from the local papers signalling the end of that era. My parents settled in southern England in 1947 with my father continuing his career with BOAC until his retirement in 1973 finishing on Boeing 707's - a far cry from his trining on Tiger Moths! Hi, I found your website while searching for historical material related to my mother who lived for her first 32 years in Durban. Helen married my father Peter Horn in Durban in October 1946. My father was a Captain with Imperial/BOAC and flew fying boats after the war between UK and SA. He was the skipper of the last commercial flying boat to leave Durban – the Caledonia – on 12th March 1947 for Southampton. I have a number of photos and 2 cartoons from the local papers signalling the end of that era. My parents settled in southern England in 1947 with my father continuing his career with BOAC until his retirement in 1973 finishing on Boeing 707′s – a far cry from his trining on Tiger Moths!

]]> Comment on The Durban Regiment by deon http://www.fad.co.za/2011/09/14/the-durban-regiment/#comment-378 deon Mon, 26 Dec 2011 14:57:04 +0000 http://www.fad.co.za/?p=265#comment-378 I'm currentky inDbn Regt and would appreciate all old members to join the facebook version of Durban Regiment for history purpose. Ehanks I’m currentky inDbn Regt and would appreciate all old members to join the facebook version of Durban Regiment for history purpose.

Ehanks

]]> Comment on How it works: FAQ by Ian Jackson http://www.fad.co.za/2011/12/12/how-it-works-faq/#comment-374 Ian Jackson Fri, 23 Dec 2011 13:08:12 +0000 http://www.fad.co.za/?p=495#comment-374 I was born in Durban in 1949 and remember my mother taking me to a parade of marching soldiers. They marched past the city hall,I must have been not more then six.I was wondering if anyone can shed light on this event. I was born in Durban in 1949 and remember my mother taking me to a parade of marching soldiers. They marched past the city hall,I must have been not more then six.I was wondering if anyone can shed light on this event.

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