´óÏó´«Ã½

This story was submitted to the People’s War site by C Deane, a volunteer from ´óÏó´«Ã½ Essex Action Desk, on behalf of David A Judge MBE and has been added to the site with his permission. He fully understands the site’s terms and conditions.

Dance Band Days

My grandparents, Vic and Alice Ransom, lived in Harwich Road, Mistley, Essex.
My grandmother, (known locally as Mrs Ransom), was an accomplished pianist and by 1938 ‘Ransom’s Dance Band’ was well established throughout the Tendring, Colchester and Ipswich areas.
The band had between four and ten musicians, including Roy Everson and Jack Emeny. Jack Emeny was the Ransom’s lodger and more like an ‘uncle’ to me.

Throughout the 1940’s, the dance band played at The Blue Lagoon Ballroom on Clacton Pier and at The Corn Exchange and Belle Vue Social Club in Colchester.
As petrol was in short supply during the War, the band would cycle to an engagement and I recall ‘Uncle Jack’ cycling with the big drum strapped on his back.

On another occasion, I believe they were cycling to Parkeston and were ‘arrested’ on the way to the dance hall for being in a restricted area by the docks. However, it all turned out well, as they got a ride home in a police or military truck, with my grandmother proudly sitting up front waving to the dancers as they left.
As part of the VJ festivities in 1945, the band was to play at a big VJ celebration event, and my grandmother sent my mother, Aileen Judge, to Mann’s Music Shop in Colchester to find some Japanese music! Why I’m not sure, but grandmother decided not to proceed with that idea.

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