大象传媒

My recollection after 60yrs of the Evacuation of myself C.J.A.PETIT, aged 11yrs nine months
And the Family and the stay on the Mainland England, during the war years,

My Father on arrival in England was separated from his Wife, and as all men were submitted for Military service, but for which he Was unfit, but being a Forman (tomato) grower, he was to be put on the land, he duly finished up in Halifax, with his Elderly Father and Mother .On his registration he was duly found a job in Lincolnshire.
It was on a huge farm owned by a Mr Nicholson who owned quite a lot of property in that area. The place
Was Coates-By-Stow, a small Thorp, consisting of a Manor House, 2 large farms, a Church, and ten or
More small cottages ? where the farm hands and their families lived. We were at least 3 miles from the Nearest small village, which was STOW, A shepherd who looked after some two to three hundred sheep
Used to ride his pony with his sheep dog alongside, Cowmen looking after some 150 plus beef cattle
And 5 to 6 milkers. We had a small stone cottage with open fire with an old range, and a small outdoor Washouse and shed, and furniture etc, was given by some of the people - as we had literally nothing at all. With much game-birds Partridge, Pheasants, Hares etc was looked after by a game-keeper who lived in his Wooden hut in the woods. He would be responsible for the organizing of shoots, for selected Dignitaries Whilst we and other volunteers [paid] would be procured, as bush-beaters with sticks to scare any game, from the woods Or the large fields, towards the guns, a good shoot gave all a brunch and drink on the completion at the Pub, The whole of the shoot lasting about six hrs, we were then transported back to our assembly points.
My Father would look after the large greenhouses, having all sorts of plants growing in plenty of
Manure, grown for the Squire. During school holidays I used to help when requested, and earned pocket Money, My Mother during the daytime did help in the fields with the Land Army girls, in planting the crops And harvesting, when the crops were ready the vegetables were not scarce on the plates ,along with
Rabbit, Especially during the harvest season when wheat was being cut, following behind reaper with a good Stick.

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