WARTIME MEMORIES

I was 7 when the War started in 1939, and I do have some quite vivid memories.

Sleeping in the Anderson shelter at the bottom of the garden. This had bunk beds, and was a bit damp.  It was lit rather inefficiently by a torch bulb mounted on a board, powered by a lead acid accumulator which was also used for the radio (wireless!)

Sleeping in the Morrison shelter in the front room. This was a 'double decker' so you had to climb up if you were on the top deck!

Listening to 'In town tonight' on the radio on Saturday evenings.  'Once again we stop the roar of London traffic to see who is  In Town Tonight'  

Going down to Milton Road to visit my Grandad.  We used to play dominoes, and I would go with him to Woodman Road woods, pushing his barrow, which carried the canes cut from the wood, and used for the peas and beans which he grew in his garden.  

Grandad's barrow was also used for collecting horse manure for his garden.  This was conveniently dropped on the road by passing horses - no cars in those days!  I remember Partridge's the Baker in Junction Road had a horse-drawn cart for delivering bread (I suppose!) So that's one possible source of horse manure, but I'm sure there were others.

We often had air raids, and many houses were bombed, as we were quite close to the railway.  My Grandad wasn't afraid, as his faith was in God. He used to quote Psalm 91 verse 5 'You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day.'  He used to say this was his air raid shelter.

Going to church on Sundays with my Mum and Dad and sister. Our church was hit by an incendiary bomb, and some of the rooms were burnt out.  But the church itself was saved.   

Going to Junior CE (Christian Endeavour)  led by Miss Ong, who taught us the Word of God, and brought us slices of apples and oranges.  She said I was her 'right-hand man' !  It was my job to introduce the visiting speaker. Here is a picture of our group, taken I suppose by Miss Ong.  Even though it was war-time, we seemed happy enough! 

 1937 STARTING SCHOOL   I started school at Crescent Road Infant School aged 5 in 1937.  By this time we were living at 19 WarleyWood Crescent, one of the Hospital houses, so it would be OK to walk to school. I don't remember much about those early days, but I remember a teacher called Mrs Joslin, and the Headmistress was Miss Yull.  What I do remember is that there was a plaque on the outside of the school with the caption 'The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom' The Bible Proverbs 9 verse 10.  The school is still there, and is now a day nursery, so the plaque is still there for all to read!

I then progressed up the road to Junction Road, where I attended South Weald Council Mixed School, later Junction Road.  My first report in Summer 1940 was from Miss Grundy.  She said 'John is intelligent and well-advanced in most subjects for his age; but his handwriting is very poor.'  She was right about the handwriting!

 Here is a nice photograph, taken I guess on the day of their engagement.

Today I'm looking back to 21st. June 1930, the day of the marriage of my parents.  Victor Edward Lancaster and Ethel Ada May Radley were married at Trimley St. Martin Parish Church, Suffolk. The service was conducted by the Rector Rev I J I Banks, and the witnesses were Alfred Radley Ethel's father, and Frank Hayter, friend of Victor.

 

 6th May 1936.  My younger sister Jean Margaret was born at 23 Coptfold Road, Brentwood, Essex UK.  Coptfold Road is now a multi-storey car park !  I have memories of nightmares, in which I woke up and was scared of the reflection in the  mirror across the room, presumably a dressing table.  Then someone came and hung a blanket over the mirror and I was OK.  I also remember going to Woolworth's in the High Street, and I couldn't see over the counter.  I remember talking about the coming baby's little fingers and toes!  These are memories of my life as a four year old before the Second World War.  My Dad started as a nurse at Brentwood Mental Hospital in 1928, two years before he was married to my Mum in June 1930.  I 've got a picture of their wedding, so I'll look for it and post it soon.

 

1932. The story starts on 18th April 1932, when I was born at 40 Crown Square, Crown Street, Brentwood, Essex UK.. As you can see, it's still there.

Here's a picture of me as a baby, taken at Bennett and Blunkell's Photographers, Kings Road, Brentwood.  What a bonnie bouncing boy!  I was told this picture was displayed in their window!

I was baptised as an infant at Brentwood Weslyan Methodist Church, Warley Hill, on Sunday June 9th 1932. Here is the certificate

I was placed on the Cradle Roll of the Methodist Sunday School on July 16th 1932.  Here is the certificate.  As you can see, I was well and truly signed up!

 Hello this is John Lancaster from Chelmsford UK. I'm starting a new venture - a BLOG to write about my life and various adventures I get up to.  Once I get this set up, I'll start by telling my story from the beginning, so WATCH THIS SPACE!

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 3rd. September 1939  So it's 3rd September, the Anniversary of the day World War 2 broke out in 1939, 81 years ago.  I was 7 at the time, and remember a lot about it. The first thing I remember is standing at the top of the stairs at home, and seeing the roll-up black-out blind across the window