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John Arnott — 12 October 2005

The ‘Crusaders’ was the name of a small Association for boys which, during the war, held its meetings on Sunday afternoons. These meetings took place on the top floor of a building, opposite to the police station…towards the turning off to Clifford’s Tower. The purpose of these ‘get togethers’ was to encourage Christianity, but in a less formal environment as found in a church. ‘Chorus singing’ took the place of hymn signing, and was light hearted and enjoyed. It was the ingredient which helped towards a more relaxed and informal atmosphere. The group was sometimes criticised, quite rightly for encouraging membership of teenage boys who attended only ‘particular schools’ within the city...hardly a Christian way of life. Youthful Crusaders, however, were too immature to consider implications of this sort, only thinking that it was better joining in with this type of group than enduring as boring sermons in a ‘stuffy old church’! Besides, the Sunday meeting Crusaders also met at other times to go on social outings, usually cycle or walking trips to the nearby Wolds or Moors. The other social occasions, I feel sure were the main reasons for joining the Crusaders in the first place…as well as girl friends, sometimes being allowed…..

±õ›á…H…A…P±ð±ð…P±ð±ð…Y

It was during one of these Sunday afternoon meetings that something unusual happened…

±õ’m…H…A…P±ð±ð…P±ð±ð…Y
I know I am
I’m sure I am
I’m H…A…P…P…Y

A chorus for Crusaders,
On Sunday afternoons.
They met together, near Clifford’s Tower
To sing and pray…and all that stuff!

The Crusaders were a Christian lot
At least supposed to be,
Who sang their chants for all to hear
On Sunday afternoons.

One Sunday in particular,
Someone, gate crashed in.
With noises, bangs, he came along…
Jerry was his name!

He made his entrance,
With a stick of bombs…and…
Placed his ‘mark’… (a scratch not cash!)…
On of course, the offering box.

The Crusaders were a happy lot
Who sang a happy tune
But on this fine, bright afternoon
They were blasted, out of tune.

The singing group, as bombs did fall
Were shot across the room,
With windows, panes and frames alike,
Those Crusaders had a fright.

For York, this was, another case
Of bombs without a warning.
Many folk said at the time…
York sleeps…day…as well as night!

The group now silenced, in the dust,
Gave in…to jokes, what else…?
But help soon came, to wipe the cuts,
And swell that happy chorus.

When ‘all clear’ sounded… (a dreary drone)
Crusaders left, to tell their tale.
And ‘that was that’ …that afternoon
Except…perhaps…an anecdote…

At one front gate: a furious ‘Mam’
Red faced and arms waving,
Where have you been, there’s been a raid,
Why that bandaged…up to mischief…get inside…!

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