In 1817 some British soldiers disembarked at Portsmouth, after having spent a couple of years with the Army of Occupation in France. They marched north and stopped at a cross-roads around which was a tavern and a few cottages. Whilst quenching their thirst in the tavern, they asked the tavernkeeper what the name of his establishment was. He replied that it had only recently been built, and no name had been thought of it as yet.

They suggested that it be called after them, and so this tavern became known as The Heroes of Waterloo. A few years later it was decided to name the growing village. The name was taken from the tavern, and the village became known as Waterlooville.

The original pub no longer exists on the cross-roads, but the name adorns a more modern building on the outskirts of the shopping area, and the village has now grown into a sizeable town. In the 1970s a new shopping precinct was built and given the name Wellington Way, in keeping with the history of the town.

I lived there from 1962 until 1985, and my family is still in the area. Whether the history of this town has had a subconscious influence on my choice of interests in life, I cannot say!

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