Comments on: The Last Fish Porters of Billingsgate Market

By: Don Frsnces

Don Frsnces — Sat, 01 Oct 2022 07:16:35 +0000

Hey Martin, give me a shout

By: Don Frances

Don Frances — Sat, 01 Oct 2022 07:09:38 +0000

I worked for Harrh Williamson for 2 years until I got my porter’s licence

By: Terri Miller

Terri Miller — Sun, 25 Oct 2020 11:21:47 +0000

My grandad worked at Billingsgate market until the war and sadly never came home, lost his life on HMS Egret,leaving behind my Nan (pregnant) with my mum and my auntie Carole, my grandads name was victor Stanley; my mum and auntie remember going to open a plaque at Billingsgate to commemorate the men that never went home, I would love if anyone could locate the plaque so I could take my mum back to see it, she’s now 76 years old Please can anybody help

By: Dan Bowles

Dan Bowles — Tue, 11 Aug 2020 12:16:30 +0000

I started work at the old market at the age of 10 as a Saturday boy at Hill & Daltry (1975 ) ….I then moved to the new market and worked for J.Haywoods with Chris Holmes who left a comment .

I loved every day and never stopped laughing at the dark humor.
My Grandfather , Father and bothers all worked at the market.

We’ve not been part of the market for decades but we never stopped talking about the people .

It’s so sad this has occurred, no feeling for the people and such an old wonderful way of life. We all knew the day would arrive …. just feel for the people its affected.

By: Gloria Thienel

Gloria Thienel — Sat, 13 Jun 2020 07:04:05 +0000

My Family worked at Billingsgate for generations
George Reynolds 56 years Dad
John Reynolds 50 years
Family names
Burke, Warren

By: Darryl

Darryl — Wed, 10 Jun 2020 21:18:56 +0000

Sir David Jason’s father was a porter at Billingsgate. Imagine it would of been a hard life back in the 1940’s. Sad to see traditions in industry disappearing as well.

By: Yvonne

Yvonne — Sun, 03 Nov 2019 04:10:09 +0000

Heartbreaking. And look where we are now in 2019. Shudder.

By: Neil Thomas

Neil Thomas — Sat, 27 Oct 2018 12:59:55 +0000

I have no history or experience with the market, or the guys who worked there. I have been looking back on the UK in the 50s and 60s via the films produced by the Rank organisation [ and others].Looking to the future with hope and excitement, whilst valueing the maintainance of traditions and the old. It’s so sad to see the eradication of the traditional, and the peoples lives trampled on in the mad rush for money. London, in particular, where property prices have balooned to such monstrous levels, that only crooked russian/ saudi/ fellow travellers oligarchs/ corporations can play. Centuries of invaluable, society benefitting work and customs swept away.Contrary to what the property prices tell us, we have become a vastly poorer country.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Wed, 14 Feb 2018 20:31:01 +0000

As someone who had worked in billingsgate for a number of years as a shopboy/porter/salesman i was disgusted at the treatment meted out to the porters. But please dont just blame t c.o.l. it is something the merchants have always wanted. I can only send my heartfelt feelings to all the lads old and new that are still working at the gate.Im sure you wore your badge with pride i know i did.

By: Roger Williamson

Roger Williamson — Thu, 18 Jan 2018 12:54:22 +0000

Hi,
Again I am reaching out to anyone who may know of anyone who worked with, for or just knew Harry Williamson. I am trying to find out more about his life as a fish trader as I was to young to remember him whilst he was alive.
If you knew him or know anyone who who did can you please leave a message on this site and I will contact you thereafter. I understand it’s a kind shot but I have to start somewhere and this was the trade he worked in and loved all his life.
Thank you