Alan Jones
I had an e-mail (Jan 2003) from Elizabeth Manterfield confirming that the boy on the extreme left of the Ali Baba picture is in fact her father Alan Jones that was my classmate at Surrey Lane. Elizabeth sent me a copy of a letter that he wrote to his father in 1940, which I pass to you. - Jim Checkley
Elizabeth also writes (16.12.02): - I have found your web site absolutely fascinating (although I have to say the music is a bit irritating!). I was so amazed to see my father Alan Jones and his brother Gerald amongst the list of evacuees. Sadly my father died in 1999 after a long struggle with Parkinsons disease.
Evacuation had a very profound effect on him, giving birth to a love of the countryside that he never lost. I have a couple of letters that he wrote home whilst he was away.
He used to tell us stories about when he was evacuated, and I wish now that I had paid more attention. I hope to go down to Empshott during the Christmas period to have a look round.
Did you know my father? He and his brother were both tall boys, and Dad grew into a very gentle giant, much loved by his family and friends. But from all accounts, he was not the sort of child I would like to have billeted on me- always in some scrape or other! Gerald is still alive and well, living on the Isle of Wight. He has a very dry sense of humour!
I must tell him about your site.
C/o Mrs Randle
Stairs Hill
Empshott
Liss Hants
4.10.40
Dear Dad,
Thanks for the letter and thanks very much for the 3/- I sure had a big surprise when I saw it. I am quite sure why you do not want me in fact I don’t think I want to come home after the raids you are having up there, and, now that I am going back to Mrs Williams’s I will not mind at all. Mr. Alway the dreaded French master has been called up and now I am beginning to like school and to take an interest I it.
We have had our beds down stairs because of the bombs keeping up awake at night, mind you they are ¾ of a mile away but they go off loud enough to keep you awake. Perhaps you would like to know that they let a 1,050 lb bomb went off this afternoon and did it shake the ceiling. The weather is rather miserable and wet.
I seem to get all the luck for Mrs Randle had pair of gum-boots that just fit me so she let me have them. You will not wear yourself out too much by staying at your works all the time will you? And even if you have got a tin helmet don’t stand outside the shelter like you did when I was home, for you might get hit by (half a house) and I am sure you are not strong enough so that shrapnel bounces off of you.
Tell Ken to keep his chin up and be as tough as he made out he was when he comes up against trouble. That reminds me I forgot to tell you to keep your chin up and meet trouble with a smile.
Mr. Randle who is in the army shot down a German plane with the help of one of his pals and a bren-gun, when they saw the German they found him screaming with terror.
Well I must say good-bye love to all
With tons and tons of kisses
Your loving son
Alan
PS When bombs are dropping near you open your mouth to prevent the blast from deafening you.
Sent: 17 February 2004 18:18
To: 'Cliff Douthwaite'
When I first contacted you I said I had two letters written by my father,
Alan Jones, as a boy, but on closer inspection it appeared that only one of
them had been written when he was in Empshott.
I was looking at the Hawkley web-site today and saw the item on the BCS
Camp. I think the second letter relates to this camping holiday as it was
written from Bexhill in the summer of 1939
I have attached the file and am very happy for you to use it if you think
it is of any interest. I have typed it using the original spelling-in all
senses-and punctuation.
I think Dicky aka Daisy appears elsewhere on your site, and was
christened thus at Bexhill.
With best wishes
Elizabeth
Lower Barnhorne Farm
Little Common
Bexhill
Sussex
30.6.39
Dear Mum
I got knocked out on Thursday by a mallet in the tummy but I am ok now. Will you send some post cards down with my new Adventure because we have a lot of spare time. I hope Roger is well, it feels quite strange without him running about my legs.
Perants can come down on Sundays, if you do go to Cooden Beach station and ask if you like where Lower Barnhorne Farm, Little Common. My address is on the post card in this letter, so you can write a letter if you like. I have been nicked name Jipper and Dicky Daisey.
We have had porage every day for breakfast. I still have 13/-3d to spend and I am having the best time any body could have. The grubb is good, but it is just enough to make you feel comfortable below the belt.
Dicky lost his trousers and it turned out that I had stuffed them in my bag to fill up my pillow as it did not have enough stuffing in it. The tuck shop is doing a roaring trade.
I have been to Beachey Head light house, up on the South Downs, going to Pevensey to day.
Give my love to Auntie Edie, Gram, Roger, Ken, Dad, Gerald and all my love to yoou. Best love from all our tent asspessley Dickey and me.
Weather is jolly good, in fact Colosal.
Yours faithfully
Alan
Xxxx
PS Excuse writing and paper
