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Published: Friday, 12 April 2024 at 09:09 AM


Pictured from left to right: my grandfather James Deness, James’ mother Suzannah and my grandmother Frances. In 1935, they won the local carnival in Strood, Kent dressed as traffic signals!

Black and white photograph of a woman wearing a Second World War man's army uniform

James and Frances’ daughter, my grandmother Joyce Peters, wearing her husband Ross’ Second World War army uniform. They were married for over seventy years but sadly passed away two months apart in 2017.

Black and white photograph of a couple holding two young children standing in the front garden

Joyce and Ross with their children, my mother Kay and uncle Brian.

Black and white photograph of a man in Second World War army uniform shooting a rifle while three little boys look on

Although my grandad Ross is shown here in his army uniform, he’s actually only taking part in a game at a fairground.

Black and white photograph of a group of children riding a pretend milk cart and horse while some adults stand around

This was the Denness family’s entry in the carnival a few years after they won First Prize. Joyce is bisected by the fold, but you can clearly see her siblings and her parents.

Black and white photograph of a man in a trench coat standing in front of some cages of pigeons

Ross is shown here tending to his racing pigeons. In 1965 he won a national championship, something that made him very proud.

Black and white photograph of a man in a flat cap and a toddler in a white dress

James Denness with Joyce. James worked in the brick fields in Frindsbury, Strood.

Black and white photograph of a toddler in a white dress holding a teddy bear

My nan Joyce is about two here. I don’t know the bear’s age!

Black and white photograph of a couple getting married

Frances and James married in Gillingham on 31 March 1923.

Black and white photograph of a little boy and girl in 1950s clothes standing by a fence

Kay and Brian as children.