RMS Queen Mary arrived in her home port of Southampton for the first time in 1936. The excitement was simply too much for nine-year-old Denis Pike from Bournemouth... 📸: Daily Mirror, 28 March 1936.

This memorial remembers the crew members who lost their lives in the Titanic disaster in April 1912. It was paid for by the widows, mothers, and friends of the crew. Of the 908 crew members on board, 720 had signed on with a Southampton address. 542 out of 720 perished in the sinking. 1/3

Round Tower, part of the eastern stretch of Southampton’s medieval walls, just north of God’s House Tower, was originally built as a freestanding dovecote in the thirteenth century. 1/2

This postcard was sent from Southampton during the First World War on Sunday, 6 February 1916: ‘We came down here Fri + are leaving for France tonight, dunno when we are coming back again!’ Unfortunately I don’t know who the sender was or what happened to them after they reached France.

Nice view of Town Quay and Southampton Docks with the huge floating dry dock taking centre stage.

Saints fans at the Dell for the South Coast Derby between Southampton and Portsmouth.

Pompey goalkeeper George Harris making a good save during a 1906 FA Cup derby clash between Saints and Pompey at the Dell. Unfortunately for George, he did have to pick the ball out of the net five times as Saints demolished their South Coast rivals 5-1. 1/7

In November 1901, Minnie Dora Tubbs, a middle-aged married woman who lived on Victoria Road in Woolston was charged with being drunk and incapable after Police Constable Compton found her lying on the pavement on East Street at around midnight on a Saturday night. He tried to rouse her but… 1/3

On this day in 1940, the Cunliffe-Owen aircraft factory at Swaythling was targeted and bombed by the Luftwaffe in a devastating daytime raid. It was an important part of the war effort since various types of aircraft were repaired here. Spitfire parts were produced too. (📸: Plane Hunters) 1/4

The interior of the grand church of All Saints on the corner of Southampton High Street and East Street. It was built between 1792 and 1795, replacing a dilapidated medieval church on the same site that was also referred to as All Hallows. 1/2

Forest View, a street on top of the western stretch of Southampton’s fourteenth century defensive wall. Once upon a time, before the land beyond the wall here was reclaimed in the twentieth century, this spot would have provided a fine view looking out towards the New Forest… 1/2

The Bargate, early 1900s.

The troopship Czar leaving Southampton on 6 July 1920. During WW1 she carried American troops to France and after the war she transported British and Empire troops. She returned to civilian service in late 1920 but again served as a troopship throughout WW2. She was scrapped in 1950.

A proper thread for a proper, now recognised, legend.

Fratton, a Southampton-registered boat with a questionable name, unloading tomatoes from the Channel Islands at Southampton Docks in the 1930s. Fratton was requisitioned by the Royal Navy during the Second World War and sunk in August 1944.

On this day in 1898 Southampton FC played their first game at the Dell. This photo was taken looking towards the Milton Road end as Saints beat Brighton United 4-1. The Dell would be home to the club until 2001. I wrote a history of the iconic ground a while ago: historicsouthampton.co.uk/the-dell/

St Denys’ Girls’ School, 1927.

The South Coast Derby is just two weeks away. I found this article in the 2 November 1901 edition of the Echo and it amused me: ‘Whenever the Saints and Portsmouth oppose each other the sparks fly… 1/5

RMS Queen Mary at Southampton.

On this day in 1881, SS Teuton sank off the coast of South Africa with the loss of 236 lives. Many of the crew members were from Southampton. My great x3 grandfather, John Sanger, was one of those who perished. 1/14

Today someone accused me of stealing all of my content from other pages and when I said that most of my images come from my own collection, he called me a liar. Well, here’s a few pics of my local history collection, a little behind-the-scenes look at what I enjoy. 1/2

This is the oldest postcard in my collection (I think!) and features a pre-printed Queen Victoria stamp. It was sent from Southampton in 1876 to Anne Spencer of Holmwood House in Hinton Charterhouse near Bath. 1/2

Southampton Corporation Tramways Shirley Depot, circa 1903. The man on the left in the bowler hat is the corporation’s traffic manager, George Simpson.

There was a huge gathering on the Marlands (now the site of Southampton Civic Centre) on the day of King Edward VII’s funeral, 20 May 1910. The Hampshire Independent reported: 1/3

Bitterne Station Hotel, now called The Station, dates back to around 1880. The nearby railway station opened in 1866. Around that time it was still a relatively quiet area with only a few houses around the hotel, and no buildings south of the road here. It’s a bit busier these days!

George Pullom joined the King’s Royal Rifle Corps in 1908 and was still serving when WW1 began in 1914. He was in France by Christmas. He married Winifred Hackett in Chorlton, Lancs, whilst on leave in 1916. On 2 April 1918 he sent her this card from Southampton whilst waiting to return to France.

‘Invalids enjoying the sunshine, Netley Hospital.’ Early 1900s. The Royal Victoria Hospital at Netley was a huge military hospital overlooking Southampton Water. Of the main building, only the chapel survives. It can be seen in both images. The patients here are facing the water.

On this day in 1940, a fierce Battle of Britain dogfight was fought in the skies over Southampton. Twenty-three-year-old James Nicolson would be awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery but tragically, his eighteen-year-old wingman Martyn King was killed. 1/18

Above Bar Street, late 1800s. The clock tower and water fountain was originally erected here on the corner of Above Bar Street and New Road in 1889. It was moved to a new position at Bitterne Park Triangle on the other side of the River Itchen in 1934 where it still stands today.

Photo taken somewhere in Southampton.

Harland & Wolff may be known for building Titanic in Belfast but they also made some drain covers in Southampton and I think that’s important.

The Dell, the much-loved home of Southampton FC from 1898 until 2001. I wrote a short history of the stadium a few years ago: historicsouthampton.co.uk/the-dell/

RMS Athlone Castle at Southampton. One of the Union-Castle Line ships that sailed regularly between Southampton and Cape Town. Maiden voyage in 1936, during the Second World War she was used as a troopship. She sailed away from Southampton for the last time in 1965 and was scrapped later that year.

On this day in 1415, Richard of Conisbrough, 3rd Earl of Cambridge, and Lord Henry Scrope were beheaded outside the Bargate for their supposed role in the ‘Southampton Plot’ against King Henry V. Henry had been present at Southampton Castle for the trial. 1/4

Family photo taken in a studio on St Mary’s Road, exact year unknown.

This group photo shows the local branch of the South African War Veterans Association in Southampton in 1938. I had always wondered about the only woman in the photo and I’m glad to report that I’ve managed to find out. Her name is Nora Hamilton-Adams and her story is quite remarkable. 1/11

Southampton High Street, looking south from the top of the Bargate in the 1930s.

Portland Terrace architecture, 1830s and 1960s. Roughly 130 years and 100 yards separate these two very different buildings.

RMS Mauretania (1939-1965) at Berth 101, Southampton Docks. She was used as a troopship during the Second World War.

Mimi Cottet was a Liverpool-born actress, born to Swiss parents. She sent this postcard showing Southampton’s fourteenth century defensive Arcades from Southampton to her mother in New Malden in June 1916: 1/3

The death of my great x4 grandfather. Hampshire Advertiser, 27 June 1894. George Adams was born in Whitechapel or Smithfield in London around 1820 but came to Southampton before 1841, probably in search of work. 1/5

The Bargate.

Balmoral, a paddle steamer built in 1900 for the Southampton, Isle of Wight & South of England Royal Mail Steam Packet Company. She would carry tourists on excursions to various seaside towns along the South Coast as well as northern France. Pictured here at Southampton’s Royal Pier. 1/4

Looking north over Southampton Docks and the mouth of the River Itchen.

On this day in 1554, a large fleet anchored in the water around Southampton and from one of its ships appeared Philip of Spain, the heir to the Spanish throne. He would have surveyed the scene before coming ashore and stepping onto English soil - soil he would soon rule. 1/4

Don’t miss a chance to enter St Julien’s Church tomorrow. Usually closed to the public but opens once a year for a church service - in French! Elizabeth I granted the church to refugees from France and the Low Countries in 1567. Still known as the French Church. Details: facebook.com/events/s/sou...

One of the long corridors inside the Royal Victoria Hospital at Netley. The huge military hospital overlooking Southampton Water was a quarter of a mile in length.

Repair work at the Bargate. I don’t have an exact date but there was talk of repairs in 1912 so it may be around then.

Isaac Watts was born in Southampton on this day in 1674. He grew up on French Street and attended the nearby King Edward VI School. After completing his education he moved to London where he became ordained as an Independent minister. 1/5

The same view looking north from the top of the western stretch of Southampton’s medieval wall, early 1900s compared to 2025.