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This story was submitted to the people war Website by a volunteer from Tiverton Museum of Mid Devon Life on behalf of Geoff Davey.

GEOFF DAVEY

Returned to Tiverton from Seaford, Sussex 1941

Father in Army — too old — transferred to Tiverton, where Geoff was born

Heathcoat School — Mr.
Children went potato picking on farms — not Geoff.

School grounds turned into vegetable plots, also had orchard — now children’s home — used.

Metal railings taken away for building ships but lots of it no good.

Big cannon in People’s Park — went (+ big drinking fountain).

1 bomb dropped

American soldiers billeted in Little Silver + his school. Knightshayes was rest home. Behind Heathcoat School on rec. was big American camp with Nissen huts — threw sweets to children.

Brewery offices where Tesco is — Starkey, Knight and Ford.

Peeling potatoes — made fish caked.
Fish skins boiled up and sold as cat food.
Fish not rationed.

No air raid shelter at school — not in Tiverton — table, cellars.

Blackout — ARP patrolled.

Saturday morning matinee at cinema — Roy Rogers or Mickey Mouse.

Listened to wireless powered by accumulators — wet cell battery — paid 3d to charge up. 9v dry cell. Workers’ Playtime — one in Heathcoat Hall during war.
Reading — Arthur Ransome.

Parachute testing implement because John Heathcoats made.
Everybody had to have gas masks — took them with you even at playtime but cardboard box got wet — better when you got metal one.

Used to fish for trout in Lowman.

People liked mapping war after landings — movement of troops using flags.

Tiverton Library — Mr. Maud.
Few cars — hold pony
MacFisheries — half way down Gold Street on right hand side past taxis, Clapp’s Café, butchers, Tretheway & Martins then the Retreat from MacFisheries then London Meat Company then
lots of pubs.
Lots of Americans — Little Silver, built swing bridge by tip
Moved to Slapton
Black Americans came first to do dirty work — segregated — didn’t mix
Cashier at MacFisheries friendly with Americans — gave her sweets.

Marched from station up Gold Street up Fore Street down to West Exe and museum (empty school) — camp on rec.

American army — musicians played in band
In Amory Park boxing matches between Americans - Joe Louis — (ask Tim)

Taught how to strip an Enfield rifle and put it back together

14th July 2004

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