During World War 1 my grandfather, George Penny, was a munitions train driver who may have used boat trains to France from Richborough by Sandwich, Kent. There were munitions factories in London - perhaps when he lived in Forest Gate he was driving trains from factory to coast? Forest Gate is close to Hackney Marsh - the location of a munitions factory. With his youngest son, John Alexander (Jack) being born on 15 July 1920 I am assuming he was demobbed in 1919 and returned to Aberdeen from London.

My father told me, probably over 50 years ago, that he recalled being told the second-hand cabinet gramophone his father bought on return from the Great War came from a shop called Cocky Hunter’s. I recently “Googled” Cocky Hunter – to my amazement lots of information! Through the years the name has referred to a shop, a bar and a current internet store (owned by his great grandson). From photographs the location of which Hunter – Thomas or his son Alexander - owned which shop is difficult to decipher between 6 – 8 Castle Terrace and Castlehill. “Cocky” Hunter’s – a little history.

I loved the old gramophone (which at one time was taller than myself); it was at the right hand side of the big window at 17 Rosemount Viaduct, Aberdeen. After my Grandma Penny and Uncle George died my Dad and his brother my Uncle Jack cleared a lot of the flat. With my interest in the record player (gramophone) I was allowed to take it. I remember Jack saying it had not worked since the Second World War and that I should “electrify” it. No need – after some WD40 it worked and still does. There is a photo of Grandma Penny and myself on top of the gramophone - taken about 73 years ago!