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Robert (Bob) Arthur Reeve
Civilian
This story was submitted to the People's War site at Banstead History Centre on behalf of Mr Robert (Bob) Arthur Reeve. It has been added to the site with the author's permission and he fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

1. I was born on 7 September 1931 at St Thomas' Hospital, Lambeth.

2. When war broke out in September 1939, my sister (b. 8.10.33) and I were at Honeywell Road School, Battersea. The school was evacuated to the Bognor Regis area and Shirley and I were billeted on a RAF Squadron Leader based at Tangmere and his wife. He was ground staff - Drinkwater was his name.

3. During the 'phoney' war period up to December we remained on the coast, being visited periodically by our father and uncle, keen cyclists (Herne Hill), who would come down on the family tandem (E.F Russ of Wandsworth). On the 8th December 1939 we returned home (off Clapham Common).

4. As the bomber-raids increased, Honeywell School children were evacuated to Cornwall. My sister and I were in a group located at Thegadillett near Launceston and were billeted with Mr and Mrs Yeo, a farmer and wife at Kestle about a mile's walk from the village at the end of a lane where two other farms were situated.

5. We adapted to farm life having various chores to do and helping with the harvest. There was no shortage of food but no electricity (paraffin lamps), battery radio (9pm news only), a well (one wash bowl shared by all) and a basic privy complete with newspaper about 50 yards from the farmhouse - emptying the bucket being a chore.

6. This is not to say that life was unpleasant - on the contrary it was a revelation for two working-class school kids. Early on I contracted ring-worm from the cows and ended up in Launceston hospital. School was effectively one large room with two teachers - there was rivalry between the locals and the evacuees.

7. On Saturdays we would walk into Launceston (about 3 miles) and back. I can recall the castle, the White Hart Hotel, the Coronation Park and milkshakes. No cars dashing down the A30! We only varied from this routine about twice, once to go to Camelford - I can't recall where else.

8. Sundays was chapel or church. Because it was nearer we tended to go to the Chapel at Tregardillet - morning, Sunday School and evenings. I still have 'prizes' for attendance and reciting the golden texts! Occasionally Mr Yeo and I would walk across the fields to South Petherwin C of E church. Co-incidentally, my future wife and sister had been initially billeted with the vicar (the vicarage is now one of Prince Charles' Duchy homes) until her father promptly removed them on his first visit, not wanting his daughters to be treated as "skivvies". Bully for Bert, a 'no-nonsense' Londoner! My sister and I were occasionally visited by our mother who had become involved in visiting evacuees.

9. At some point in 1942 I must have sat an 'll-plus' exam, because Shirley and I were back in London. I think it must have been at Bolingbroke Road School to which I transferred prior to my 11th birthday.

10. My father was not able to afford Christ's Hospital which was the first option so I joined Sir Walter St. Johns Grammar School, Battersea (now alas no more!) at Godalming. Shirley went to Devizes in Wiltshire and two years later passed her '11 plus' and went to Broomwood Road Girls' School.

11. I was at Sir Walter St John's from 1942-1949, starting in Form 2 and ending up with 3 years in the Sixth. Due to the date of my birth I took 9 subjects in School Certificate at 14 and Inter Arts at 16 so I was a shade ahead of other boys. I was very happy taking exams, a trait that lingered on.

12. For my first term I was at Holloway Hill House. Lessons took place in 3 venues - Godalming County School (co-ed where the boys suffered from the competitive spirit of the cuckoos with their girl colleagues), Charterhouse and a house called Somerfield. Cycling was the normal way of moving between classes, where probably the maximum distance was two miles. HHH had a Mr W G Jackson, a dour Yorkshire maths master, as house-master.

13. Classes were a revelation! From elementary school to French, Latin, Physics and formal subjects taught by masters in gowns. A house system ensured that the competitive spirit was duly nurtured!

14. On December 1942 several of the HHH boys were transferred to Lockites, a Charterhouse 'house', where the master was J E Taylor, the third consecutive Taylor to be headmaster of the School, a respected and feared disciplinarian. I don't recall whether our transfer was due to our need for a touch of the latter!

15. We returned home for long weekends about three times a term. We were also allowed 3 leave passes each term to visit local cinemas or other approved activities. I have a vivid recollection of waiting outside JET's study with a friend to get our pass signed for a visit to the Regal, Godalming. He emerged with his gown on and, appearing to tower above us, asked what we were going to see. Being cautious we named the B film. JET was not to be fobbed off and asked what the other film was 'Pin Up Girl' (Betty Grable) we had to confess. Hitching his gown over his shoulder, he gazed at us - "Sounds pretty futile" he said. But he did sign!!

16. Sir Walter St John's changed my life and I owe the staff an immense debt. The masters were brilliant and enthusiastic, opening up so many new worlds and giving me a love of reading and thirst for knowledge that lives on after almost 60 years. Sports too - soccer, cricket, athletics, boxing and fives. There is an Old Sinjuns Association at the annual dinners of which, those days live on …

17. In 1945 this School moved back to London but VI's and VII's were still around. I can remember being in a rowing boat on the Clapham Common lake with my 'Pin Up Girl' friend watching doodle bugs in the sky and listening for the cut out and subsequent explosion. A VII exploded on the Latchmere about a mile from the school.

18. Came VE and VJ days there were street parties to celebrate. These streets are now 'yuppy' territory and you can't move for BMWs, Mercedes, etc. Then there were communities; front doors were open, children played freely; it is easy to become critical and maudlin.

19. I suppose those of us where childhood was largely spent during the war have different attitudes, different values and different roles of conduct to those of the late 20th century/early 21st century. I would not apologise for that! A good note to end on Bastille Day.

BOB REEVE
December 2005
Banstead

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