14 iconic retro photos showing streets from Portsmouth's past

By Steve Deeks

Published 20th Jan 2022, 18:20 BST

Updated 30th Sep 2025, 12:59 BST

Ah, the days when they made tracks…for trams and trains to ride up city avenues.

There are some great historic scenes in this selection that include the walking wounded in Goldsmith Avenue in 1914, VJ Day street party in Romsey Avenue in 1945, tram lines being laid in Twyford Avenue, railway track being laid in Goldsmith Avenue, Fratton in 1909 and a 1945 VE Day party in Second Avenue, Cosham.

MORE RETRO: 13 fascinating photos capture what life was like in Portsmouth 100 years ago, 18 pre-war memories of Portsmouth and the surrounding areas

See all our pictures in our gallery below.

Pedestrians allowed to walk by. Possibly Laburnum Grove or Stubbington Avenue, a collision, but pedestrians just stroll by. Picture: Colin Hull collection.

1. Avenues from the past

Pedestrians allowed to walk by. Possibly Laburnum Grove or Stubbington Avenue, a collision, but pedestrians just stroll by. Picture: Colin Hull collection. Photo: The News archive

Twyford Avenue, Portsmouth in 1953

2. Avenues from the past

Twyford Avenue, Portsmouth in 1953 Photo: The News archive

The walking wounded arrive in Goldsmith Avenue, Fratton, in October 1914. Bugler Clark of the Dorset Regiment (right) carries a German helmet as a trophy

3. Avenues from the past

The walking wounded arrive in Goldsmith Avenue, Fratton, in October 1914. Bugler Clark of the Dorset Regiment (right) carries a German helmet as a trophy Photo: The News archive

The VJ Day street party in Romsey Avenue, Copnor, Portsmouth, in August 1945.

4. Avenues from the past

The VJ Day street party in Romsey Avenue, Copnor, Portsmouth, in August 1945. Photo: The News archive