Sees Sgt Bargate continue his journey and finds him in a quite different occupation again. This time he’s a train driver from a classic silent movie scene. The question we need to ask is: Is he trying to stop the train or speed it up?

In September 1910 Charlie Chaplin and Arthur Stanley Jefferson, later to become Stan Laurel, set sail from Southampton Docks on the SS Cairnrona to seek their fortunes in America. They landed in Quebec and took the train to New York. What became of these two young hopefuls has passed into Hollywood Legend. Lesser known however is the disagreement between the two stemming from Laurel’s belief that Chaplin stole and exploited the idea of the The Tramp sketch. The two never spoke again. Disagreements aside the setting of Southampton Docks provided the departure point for two of the finest exponents of the silent movie genre and two iconic careers destined for immortality on the Hollywood walk of fame.

Where next will our brave hero go? If you have any suggestions for the future adventures of Sgt Bargate, please e-mail us, we would love to hear them.

Chocks away! As Sgt Bargate departs for his third adventure. But who is this dashing fellow who had undergone yet another transformation? Why, it’s Sgt Bargate, now a daring Spitfire pilot ready to go out and defend our city from invading forces.

The iconic British plane, the Spitfire was designed by R. J. Mitchell who was chief designer at Supermarine Aviation Works in Woolston. Much loved by its pilots, the Spitfire saw service throughout the whole of the WW2. It continued to serve as a front line fighter and in secondary roles for several air forces well into the 1950s.

Southampton suffered serious bombing during WW2 but the worst nights were 30th November and 1st December 1940. When 2631 high explosive bombs and 30652 incendiary bombs were fell on the city. During the bombing that night 630 citizens were killed and 1900 injured. 3589 buildings were destroyed and 40000 damaged, it is an amazing fact that the bargate still stands!

Sgt Bargate’s second adventure through English eccentricities and Southampton history sees him in much changed circumstances.

He has taken a lead from Bartletts Travelling Lion Circus, a frequent visitor to the city in years gone by. Although still sporting his fine moustache he is now portrayed with the face of a lion. Possibly from the circus or maybe from the mythical tale of Sir Bevis and the Lady Josian. Sir Bevis, our very own local hero, rescued his Lady from these terrible beasts of Lions who held her captive. They are now tamed and stand guard outside the Bargate to protect the city. In his hand the Sergeant holds Morglay, the magic sword of Sir Bevis. On his death bed Bevis threw the sword and asked to be buried where it fell. The area it landed in is what we call Bevois Valley to this day.

We introduce you to Sergeant Bargate - a handsome and welcoming fellow!

Sgt Bargate finds his beginnings in the history of the building as one of its many uses was as a police station during the early years of the 20th Century. Visitors to the gallery can still see the large wooden police emblem they left behind.

But Sgt Bargate seems to have other things on his mind and is taking a romantic reverie through the history of Southampton. Through the first of his journeys he visits the eccentricities of British comedy and characters from Sherlock Holmes to Basil Fawlty via the Avengers and Benny Hill.

His first adventure features a local boy done good. Alfred “Alfie” Hill was born in Southampton and grew up in Wilton Road, Upper Shirley. Later he changed his name to Benny in homage of his hero, comedian Jack Benny. According to local rumour Tommy Cooper’s mother lived in Shirley - so we will claim him as our own! As for Sid James completing this trio we like to think that as a South African he may have arrived in England on a Union-Castle Line steamer docking at Southampton.