大象传媒

My father, Harry Walker enlisted for the army in North Yorkshire: coming from the small mining town of Boosbeck (near Saltburn).
He was sent to Claycross and then to Alfreton and billeted in the Chambers above the old Post Office on the High Street, Alfreton. From there he was 'volunteered' for a waiters position at Alfreton Hall, which in 1940 was commandeered by the Army for the Officers.
He lived at the Hall for 18 months/2 years, and was billeted in the Chauffeur's apartment of Hall Farm (half way up the Alfreton Hall drive). He recalls the bathroom corridor (T rooms) and the Irish Housekeeper (name forgotten).
The main hall was used as a sitting room by the Moorwood family and the Officers. A large 8 foot stuffed bear used to stand on a dais in the hall.
My father waited on the Squire when he was invited to join the Officers for dinner. The Squire also grew Gardiniers and grapes in the beautiful Georgian conservatory. My father wooed my mother (Ivy May Roberts) with 'purloined' Gardiniers and grapes. She came from Somercotes (16 Sleetmoor Lane). My parents were married on the 3rd of May 1941 at St. Thomas' Church, Somercotes.
Something that both my parents remember clearly happened on Sunday 9th June 1940. It was Rhododendron Sunday. My father woke up to find hundreds of soldiers lying and sleeping on the sloping lawns of the house. They had been brought in overnight from Dunkirk.

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