Nissen hut dweller - who is she?

Hi,

I was born in Hut 315.  

I find it very agreeable to "reconnect with my roots", especially as I am so far away from England of which I have so many special memories and warm feelings.

Unfortunately, I cannot add much to your recopilation of Hothfield's history.  My father, Harold Harden, was allocated one of the huts after being demobbed but as soon as I was born we were provided with a council house in Ashford.  We did not talk much about his time in Hothfield and I have found no photos so far.

However, it is interesting to see the paintings of M. Harden.  Again, I cannot say much about her, but my grandmother lived with her other son in Kennington. 

My grandfather, obviously a Harden, worked in the "Big House" as a groom.  I think this meant The Leas.  I will dig out some of the family history that my uncle left me to see if I can find a reference to the artist.  Interestingly, the village of Warehorne was made up of various Harden families, some of whom were related to us, albeit distantly.

As to my own situation, I left Ashford and moved to Maidstone when I was 7.  My father was again promoted so we moved to Leighton Buzzard, Beds.  From there to Coventry College of Education / Warwick University.  On graduating I worked for 2 years in Jamaica, then a stint in Canada before returning to work in Corby while I picked up my Master's from London University.  Then to Mexico, married a beautiful Mexican, back to England, then again in Mexico where I have been living very happily with my wife and three children for 37 years.  I established my own small university here and, at the same time, I have spent a lot of time as an author, international speaker and teacher trainer, travelling to different countries in Asia, North Africa and the Americas.  I am still working but not at the pace I once did, having a team of collaborators that are helping the business grow every year.

I will try to find out more about M.Harden but please add me to the list of people interested in your site.

Tony B Harden

My parents lived in a Nissen Hut after the second world war. They were there from 1946-1949. It was in Lavernock, not far outside of Cardiff. I only know that their address was 7 St. Mary’s Well Bay Road. I would be interested in following your site.

Linda

Thank you Linda, there were Nissen hut camps across Britain many of which were subsequently used to house civilians until proper houses could be built - Chris, Chairman Hothfield History Society