Robert Southgate outside his 'Fish And Ice Merchant' shop on Stoneham Street. Originally from Ipswich he had been a mariner on tall ships. In Coggeshall he joined the Fire Brigade where he was much liked and became Sub-Captain. His son George married a Kelvedon girl, Lily Hull, in 1910 and they opened their own Fish Shop in Kelvedon. Eventually in 1913 the call of the sea proved too much and Robert returned to Ipswich; his comrades in the Fire Brigade giving him a hearty farewell meal at the Chapel Hotel. Robert went back to working on the boats and also had a sailing boat that he raced.
Courtesy his great-grandson Roger Southgate
Around 1908
Ref; 104/98