´óÏó´«Ã½

Part II
This second half of the story has been submitted by Sally Crane for Three Counties Action on behalf of Mr Stan Brownridge, Flight Sergeant No 988901, and has been added to the site with his permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

Hundreds of young men who joined the RAF for air-crew duties had no academic qualifications because they had left school before the age of 15. Many had distinguished themselves and had become officers with decorations. It was natural that on demobilization they hoped to obtain a well-paid occupation. In order to help them in this respect an examination was devised known as the Forces Matriculation. This was aimed at entitling them to a well paid job or entrance to university. In April 1945 I left Weeton and as a Flight Sergeant and a trained teacher I was posted to a large mansion at Sunninghill Park (where the Duke of York now lives). Some of the officers had been prisoners of the Japanese. These ex-Japanese prisoners of war had faces which were yellow, they shook, were jaundiced and in a terrible condition physically and mentally. They could not concentrate for long periods but were teachable and friendly and grateful. All the teachers were non-commissioned officers, so we did not share a mess with the ex-prisoners who, as officers, were accommodated in the former mansion (now demolished). On several afternoons during the week we would accompany the officers on visits to offices, factories and places of interest to enable them to get a taste of industry and the world of work. It was at one of these factories that we were told about a new and ‘hush hush’ invention the ball point pen - the biro. During my free time I used to cycle round Windsor Great Park and Ascot Race Course, it was lovely!

I shall never forget V E Day and V J Day. On V E Day I was stationed near Windsor. As soon as I heard on the radio that the war was over at last, I rushed into London. For hours I mixed with the surging crowds who were crazy with joy. I saw and heard Churchill from the Ministry of Defence building and I literally poked my face through the railings of Buckingham Palace to cheer the Royal Family. On V J night I was asleep in my camp near Windsor when I was awakened by cheering and gunshots from a neighbouring American camp. The Americans had every reason to rejoice.

Although I am now 86 years old I still derive some pleasure and amusement on my very rare visits to a fish and chip shop by blankly asking for a “fish and a pen'th please''. This was the standard request and price before and in the early part of the war. The total cost was 3 old pence - (less than 2 new pence). For this amount a whole dinner-plate(or newspaper) of good food was obtained.

Just before the time came for my demob in 1946, I remember being surprised at seeing some oranges for sale in a shop in Ascot. I enquired, with some trepidation if they were for sale or merely an item of interest. I was informed that the oranges could be sold only to people with special needs. When I explained that my wife was pregnant and that I was about to go on leave, the shop-keeper allowed me to buy three of them. These were the first oranges I had seen for years. My wife consumed them and the baby became a respected GP now about to retire at 60 years old.

Certainly, I have had a very happy career in teaching since I left the RAF. I spent only 7 years in the classroom as a class teacher and deputy head before becoming a headteacher in 1954. I was a headteacher in 4 different schools for 27 years. Some of my former teachers have remained life-long friends.

© Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.