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by Peggy Butterfield
June 2017
Historical Happenings
Recently one of New Brighton’s legends passed away.
Wally Wakefield was known for his letters to the paper, but also his great stories. I would
like to share one of his more comical stories here.
CHARACTERS I KNEW— ROM AND REME From Wally Wakefield’s memoirs
There were many characters in New Brighton when I was a kid and although old age has
managed to dim the memories of most of them I can recall some that might amuse the readers of my memoirs.
Two of the most memorable were Romulus and Remus. Yes! believe it or not those were their names. (I will not
disclose their surnames for obvious reasons) They were identical twins who I am sure that only if you had
drawn some sort of recognisable mark on their foreheads would you have been able to tell them apart. Always
dressed in pin stripe suits (although not particularly sartorially resplendent) and most times a tie. Both wearing
horn rimmed spectacles with oversize thick lenses (you know, the bottom of the lemonade bottle ones) and on
more occasions than not, usually under the influence of the ale of the day purchased at the local “McCormacks”
hotel. It was not unusual to see our community policeman, Pat Slattery escorting one or both of them down
Seaview Road to spend the night at the Station until they sobered up. Most times it was for fighting each other,
although I don’t think they could have caused any personal harm, such was the state of their constant
inebriation.
Rumour has it that if one of them had a job and the morning hangover was so bad that he was unable to attend
the workplace, the other would go instead and such was their identical similarity their employer was none the
wiser. This may seem a little far-fetched but I have heard this story so many times I tend to believe its
authenticity.
I was educated in
Catholic schools in my
learning years and this
necessitated my and my
families attendance at
Sunday Masses at the
Catholic Church in
Lonsdale Street. For as
long as I can remember
both Romulus and
Remus also, were to be
seen amongst the
congregation regularly.
I think that on some
occasions they must
have come straight from
the New Brighton Constabulary to church, such was the state of their attire. But for all their drinking and
harmless fighting they were good old boys and never hurt a soul, and I don’t think, even themselves. Obviously
and as time will have it Romulus and Remus have long passed away but the me mories I have of them still
remain, as I am sure, also in the minds of New Brighton locals of those times.
The New Brighton Museum has a file of more of Wally’s poems and stories, so pop in any day from 1 to 3pm
and have a browse.
The Museum will have their AGM on Tuesday June 20 th at 6.30pm
This year’s guest speaker is Dion Murphy who will share some of his humorous memories of growing up in
North New Brighton. Supper and a chat and a chance to see our little treasure of a museum.