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This story was submitted by Allen Buckroyd, who compiled ‘Great Baddow Oral History’, published in December 2003. The book contained this contribution from Bert Collis and has been added to the site with his permission. The author fully understands the terms and conditions.

Bert Collis — Secrets and friendship
There were other stories that could not be told at the time. For instance a Mr Peterson was sent from London to work at Marconi’s during the war, working on secret projects. He lived with his wife in Baddow Hall Crescent. When his masters in London wished to speak to him they rang the police station. I had to run to his house to get him to the phone. Everyone had to go out of the room while he answered his call. I became quite friendly with Mr and Mrs Peterson, who had no children of their own, so they sort of adopted me. They taught me how to play chess. Mr Peterson had been a Marconi-trained radio operator on ships pre-war. He had many momentoes of South America, including butterfly wings. He spoke several languages.

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