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In August, 1939, the main topic at school was, of course, the evacuation and the war. We all thought the war would be over in about 3 months, so the evacuation was looked on as being a holiday. Most of us had never been away from London for holidays, except for hop picking, which was a working holiday for many East Enders.

On the morning of the 1st of September, my mother took myself, my younger brother and sister, to the school; this being South Hallsville school. We had a packed lunch and carried our cases and gas masks. Pinned to our jackets was a label with name, address and school in case we got lost in the crowd. After saying goodbye to parents, the children boarded the buses and started on the journey, I can't remember which railway station we actually left by, but Ealing Broadway stands out in my mind. This was probably our starting place.

When we arrived at Witney, we left the train and walked to the Grammar school, where we had some refreshments. In due course, we were given a carrier bag containing: a tin of corned beef, tin of milk, biscuits, chocolate and other items of food. This was to be given to whoever took us in.

The Billeting Officer then took charge of us. How many were in our group I don't know. We started walking along Church Green. Every so often the Billeting Officer and helpers would knock on a door. One or two children would be taken in, we turned into Corn Street. One boy, one girl, or perhaps two, would be taken in. I waited until my younger brother and sister had got a home. Eventually we reached the bottom of Corn Street, by this time it was dark. I and three other boys were left without a home to go to. We were taken to the New Inn public house, where we had as many crisps and lemonade as we could manage. Mr. & Mrs. G…, the licensees, took us in for the night.

The following morning, we had a good breakfast and were washing up our plates etc. when a woman came to the kitchen. She wanted the two biggest boys. She said they could help out on the lorry. I and Len T….. were chosen. Mr. and Mrs. P….. had a haulage business. That was my introduction to Witney.

On Sunday, 3rd September, my father came to Witney. He wanted to make sure his children were being looked after. He was quite satisfied, as I was. My parents often came down to visit us. My brother and sister were billeted with Mrs. O…., who had a coal merchants business. After a while there, they were moved to another home with Mrs. C….., who lived opposite the bus garage.

Strange as it may seem, but one Sunday, while my father was visiting, he saw a man come from the bus garage, they recognised each other, although they hadn't been in contact for 40 years.

I went to the Wesleyan School in High Street until after the Christmas holiday, I was due to leave school at Easter, but on the Friday after my first week back at school Mrs. P….. said I was old enough to go to work. She sent me to Bartlett Stores in the High Street as they wanted an errand boy. I applied for the job and started work the following Monday morning.

Just after 9a.m. while I was cleaning the brass outside the shop, two prefects from my school came to see the manager. I had to go back to school. After having a word with the Headmaster, he allowed me to leave school. I went back to my brass polishing and errand boys job. The starting wage then was 8 shillings and 6 pence per week (42 ½ pence today).

I joined the Boys Brigade, which was on Wednesday evenings and Sunday morning; joining the band as the big drummer. I also took over as P.T. Instructor.

I and my friends often went for long walks, or if the weather was fine, we would go swimming. Langel was a popular place for swimming, or we would go to the bathing house. We had quite a lot of places for walks. From the bottom of Tower Hill it was a nice walk to Curbridge, Smiths Estate not being built then. From Corn Street we would go through an alley by the Swan Laundry across the Moors to Mill Street; sometimes along Woodstock Road, across the fields to Hailey.

Witney market was different in those days, with pigs, sheep and chickens in the Market Square. The cattle were at the back of the Drill Hall (Langdale Hall). I sometimes took cows to the market, walking them up Corn Street, with the help of a dog. Sometimes one would run off along Swinburns Place or The Star allotments opposite. The New Inn yard, the Crofts, were also hazards to be avoided, it would be almost impossible today with the amount of traffic.

Another experience would be taking the horse to the Blacksmith. This was run by Tom S….. in the New Inn yard. Also in the yard was a rag and bone merchant by the name of Len H……. He had a bone hanging along a beam, which I always thought must have been part of a dinosaur or some prehistoric animal. It was the largest bone I have seen, I never did find out its origin.

Witney Carnival was always a great day. Witney Feast was a must, or course, other fairs and circuses would come to Town, which helped entertain us through the year.

The Palace Cinema took up two nights for us, Monday and Thursday, when the programme changed.

When I was 18, I was called up for Army service; going to India, Burma, Singapore and Malaya. After 32 years I was demobilised and came back to Witney. The highest rank I held in the Army was Company Sergeant Major.

The only sport I took to is weightlifting. Now at the age of 63 I have been British Masters (veterans) champion for 3 years and gained a bronze medal in the World Championships held in Orlando, Florida in December 1988.

Mr Wally T…..
WITNEY

1989

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