Battersea Central School
HAWKLEY REUNION 2009
The Twelfth Annual reunion in Hawkley, Hampshire
Saturday 4th July 2009
08 July 2009
Report by Graham Langton of the Petersfield Post with thanks
They were just schoolchildren when they were forced to leave their London homes and start new lives in rural Hampshire. And 70 years later a group of friends who shared the experience of being evacuees still keep in touch. Forty two (including interested family and friends, only about 10 of the original 80 are still alive) of them attended their annual reunion in Hawkley on Saturday – and the memories were as sharp as ever.
The event was organised by Harry Withers, who was 14 when he was evacuated along with 80 pupils and staff from the Battersea Central School for Boys. (the rest of the school [160 boys and staff)] going to Rowlands Castle) For the last 11 years, he has travelled every July from his home at Skegness to meet up with old friends and revisit his old haunts.
This year he had a surprise for them – he presented them with souvenir mugs to mark the 70th anniversary of the evacuation. Harry was accompanied by his wife Sylvia and daughter Grainne, and they were able to visit Uplands Farm (below) where he lived all those years ago. (see more at Memories section)
"It's no longer a farm, it is a riding stable, but all the buildings are still there," he said.
More photographs with thanks to Mary McHugh..............here
"When I was first evacuated I was billeted on a chap called Andrews, who was the farmer at Uplands Farm. It was a bit austere, but later I was sent to live with a married couple, Mr and Mrs Bone, at Empshott.
"I think some of the boys got homesick, but as a schoolboy there was plenty to do to keep your mind off that.” It was a working farm, and you basically got absorbed into the workforce. We used to collect eggs from the hens and help with the threshing machines.
"The farming implements were all horse drawn, and we used to take the horses up to the labourers so they could shackle them onto the ploughs."
He added: Contact with your parents was mainly by writing letters. There was a telephone kiosk in the village, but my parents weren't on the phone so that wasn't any use.
"On a couple of occasions, the parents organised a coach to come and see us, and the teachers' wives set up tea in the village Institute for them. Boys were billeted on all sections of society – some with farm labourers and others with teachers. At Hawkley Hurst the squire (Clive T Davis) of the manor used to take in eight and later ten at a time because he had so much room and was able to employ a full time governess, Miss Imms.
Among those who were at the reunion was Peggy Carpenter (86), of Syers Road, Liss.
She is a former pupil of the Battersea Central School for Girls they were sent to Petersfield, which had its own reunion until a few years ago. "We had our final one in 2005, and it is so nice to be able to go to the boys” reunion which Harry organises – I would just like to thank him for all his hard work," she said
Battersea Central School
HAWKLEY REUNION 2009
The Twelfth Annual reunion in Hawkley, Hampshire
Saturday 4th July 2009
Dear ALL
Judging by my Postbag, this year's reunion was a good one, we certainly experienced an additional flavour which cannot be explained.
Our usual pattern was followed, that is to say, meet in the Hawkley Inn; a word here-the food was still good but for a number of guests, the waiting time was too extensive. I approached the Stand-in Manager and registered a Battersea rebuff! But was later made to rescind due to an honest apology and humble explanation.
It was this, the Manager had been appointed to the position only the day before we arrived and to his consternation learned that the chef had left! He was able to Press-gang a first year cookery student to produce our orders. I was sympathetic to his dilemma, he asked that his apology be passed on to our group, I'm sure those of you who were affected will appreciate his embarrassment.
After having satisfied their thirsts etc, some wandered; others reminisced and eventually arrived at the Village Hall for a wonderful tea provided by our 'always there’ Village Ladies, this year they were without Doris Barber who was not very well but happily she is feeling better now.
We did not have a commemorative cake for this significant occasion. It had been suggested but this bread and jam evacuee fancied something different, which came later.
The short speech revealed neither new members nor attendees; in fact, there were several last minute cancellations through various other commitments. However according to my register, we managed fifty attendees of all ages! Quite gratifying.
The final part of this gathering and the one which gave the, greatest satisfaction to Sylvia and myself was to invite all present to take a Commemorative Mug. There were of course, several regulars who had been unable to attend; they have since received a mug via the Royal Mail. If any one feels overlooked please get in touch.
Now for me, comes the painful aftermath.
This year's Reunion is to be the last which I will organise, I feel it time for me to put away my pen and typewriter and take early retirement! It is Thirteen years since the Reunion started in earnest and for me has been a wonderful experience. The renewal of old friendships and development of new ones has been its reward.
Nobody could have enjoyed it better, it doesn't get any better
Here I must pay tribute to the people who have helped to make the gatherings successful. As those of you who have organised events know, help is valuable such as seemingly mundane tasks as clearing away tables and chairs, issuing name labels, giving lifts etc, but I to need to single out one person in particular who has been the constant contact and liaison between myself and the local scene.
Thank-you Margaret for all your help; with especial thanks for your help in providing the tea-time spread.
A bonus for me is that Sylvia has helped so much in a practical sense and with advice and encouragement. She has thoroughly enjoyed meeting everyone. So with understandable sorrow I now finish by saying
"Thank--you all for making the Reunion what it has been, a wonderful happening!"
Harry Withers, - 30 th September 2009
P.S. Have a good Christmas, please!
1 Andrew Avenue, Chapel St. Leonards, Skegness, Lincolnshire, PE24 5YY
(01754) 874 876
This is a short report of the Reunion held at Hawkley on the 70th year of our arrival in Hawkley as evacuees, if any present have photographs of this reunion, please send to the webmaster in jpeg format, file from camera, for some strange reason the local papers did not take the traditional group photograph, or perhaps this took place before the web master arrived due to heavy traffic on route, quite a few had this problem. Well over 50 indicated they would attend, ranging from original evacuees and their families down to grandchildren, but on the day a few were sadly unable to attend others who normally support the occasion had dual functions, such is life.
Needless to say we congregated in the Hawkley Inn for lunch, the pub is under new management and the service, was rather slow and that is an understatement plus the food varied in quantity and price, but in general below that we have had in past days!
After much discussion and exchange of memories and a few pints, we drifted down to the Village Hall where the ladies had prepared an excellent spread of sandwiches, cakes and of course endless cups of tea, thank you ladies you do us proud.
Harry Withers produced the highlight of the day after a short speech he said that as formal dinners were not part of our reunion ethos, but as he wished to mark the arrival of the first batch from Battersea Central School on 1st September 1939, 70 years ago and then like a magician produced a commemorative mug for all those present including the extended families.
This was a most generous gift much appreciated by all, as you are aware we do not have subscription or indeed any funds, so thank you Harry, you are a great guy.
The mug shown below, has the Battersea Central School Shield and Motto "Not Mine, Nor Thine, But Ours" on one side and on the other this:-
Saturday 4th July 2009
The Twelfth Annual Reunion in Hawkley, Hampshire
Commemorating The School's Evacuation on the 1 st September, 1939
Most of you will be aware that Battersea Central School pupils were split between Rowland's Castle about 160 boys and 95 to Hawkley with a few girls and siblings below the age of 11 (if you wish to find out who and the staff CLICK here.) Some returned to Battersea when the bombing failed to materialise, this was the phony war, then when the blitz started evacuees from Portsmouth arrived and later local children filled the places left by evacuees finishing at 15 and other returnees, the quality of teaching was far better than the local schools, Battersea Central School had a reputation for high quality staff. The Girls of Battersea Central School stayed in Petersfield, nearer to civilisation! Some have since their Girls reunions have formally closed have joined our reunion.
It was felt appropriate to take a photograph of those present who arrived exhausted on that fateful day on 1st September seventy years ago, those are shown above.
RAINE Dick 10, SIMPSON Joe , DOUTHWAITE Cliff 7, WITHERS Harry 14, DICKESON John 10, WRIGHT Peter 12
Ages shown are September 1939
Others who we think are still alive who arrived on 1 st September and known are ABBOTT Len 14, BRIGDEN Cyril 12, BURCHAM Charlie 13, BURCHAM Jack 8, BURCHAM Eric 5, CREED Stanley 12, DOUTHWAITE Jack (in Australia), CHECKLEY Bill 9 (in Australia), JONES Gerald 8, if there are others known please let the webmaster know. There are others who arrived late such as Tom Cowell (in Canada), or came with the Portsmouth group or were local.
We are always delighted when The Rev. David Heatley - Rector and Vicar of Hawkley joins us for the reunion, he over many years has supported our annual occasions even when he has to perform other celebrations such as weddings on the same day, this year due to an oversight on our part David had another engagement so missed meeting us, this reunion is first time for many years, very sorry David we missed you.
In a previous Village Magazine he writes with the theme "thoughts from the vicarage" in case you missed collecting your copy from the Church then the details can be found here.
Another delightful announcement was that Glenda Collins and Mike Kennedy will be getting married at the end of this month of July and we wished them well and our fuller congratulations for this great occasion, all are welcome to the marriage service, details are via the webmaster.
Glenda Collins and Mike Kennedy
Regards, Cliff Douthwaite Webmaster, any feedback appreciated.
Regret I will not be at Reunion this year. Dorset County Scout Council have decided to hold their Annual Meeting this year at our County Camp Site and Activity Centre. As I am a member of the County Scout Council, also the Assistant County Secretary and the Secretary of Buddens Camp Site Management Committee my duty will be with them.
Hope you have a good day.
Vic Myers
Those who were at the reunion, I think please send any corrections
ABBOTT, Len
CARPENTER Peggy
CAWTE, Alison
CLARK, Brian wife and son
COLLIETY, George (Gwen cousin)
COLLINS, Glenda
CROFTS, Jean
DANCE, George and Renee
DAWSON, Margaret
DICKESON, Peggy and John
DOUTHWAITE, Cliff
EARLE, Judith
HALL, Alan and Shirley
HAND, Freda
HOBBS, Peggy and Eric
HOLLIENS, Joyce
JORDAN, Christine
KEATS, Eileen (Peter Wright's sister) David (Peter Wright's nephew)
KENNEDY, Mike (Glenda Collins future husband)
KNOWLES Doris
LAMBERT, Grainne (nee Withers)
McHUGH, Mary (Peter Wright's daughter)
PHILLIPS, Des
PHILLIPS, Joan and Jim
PHILLIPS, Lill and John
RAINE Dick
RUSTELL, Ron
SIMPSON, Esme and Joe
TADMAN, Gwen
TAYLOR Peggy
WIGBY, Beverly
WITHECOMB, Dorice
WITHECOMB, Karen
WITHERS, Sylvia and Harry
WRIGHT, Peter and family
More details can be found on The Hawkley Family.
KEATS, Eileen (Peter Wright's sister) David (Peter Wright's nephew) and
McHUGH, Mary (Peter Wright's daughter)
More photographs with thanks to Mary McHugh..............here
Ps The Daily Telegraph are looking back the 70 years and it is worth browsing the bottom link quoted
typical is:-
Evacuation test for London children - June 19, 1939
A trial evacuation of hundreds of LCC school children will be included in today’s first full-scale air raid test in Chelsea. It is the biggest exercise of its kind ever held and at least 100,000 people are expected in the borough to see it.
Large forces of police will be on special duty to deal with the crowds and traffic congestion produced by 15 minutes complete cessation of outdoor activity throughout the area.
The evacuation test will be completed before midday. Parties of children will assemble at various points and move off at prearranged times to the entraining stations. After roll-call they will return to school without entering the stations.
The organisation behind this complicated movement will include the exchange of signals between County Hall and the divisional organisation; posting of marshals at each station to facilitate entrainment; collecting nominal rolls from the leaders of each party, and posting nurses at certain points.
Messengers will patrol the area to keep headquarters in touch with each phase of the test.
15-MINUTE STANDSTILL
The ARP test in Chelsea will begin at 12.30pm. When the sirens are heard all traffic inside the borough will pull into the kerb. Their occupants and everyone in the street will run for the nearest air-raid “shelter.” They will not enter, but stand in marked areas.
Within seven minutes RAF planes will circle the borough to see how far the population has succeeded in dispersing. Special “incidents” will follow supposed bombing raids, and will be dealt with by ARP volunteers. At 12.45pm the sirens will sound “Raiders past,” and traffic will proceed.
Sir Samuel Hoare, Home Secretary, Sir John Anderson, Lord Privy Seal, and Sir Philip Game, Commissioner of Metropolitan Police will be among the 300 official visitors to watch the exercise from a roof high above Sloane Square.
more see
Telegraph.co.uk is publishing daily articles from the archive 70 years ago chronicling the build-up to the Second World War, as well as 10 features by leading historian Andrew Roberts, illustrated with video.
Hello
Like me, I hope you are looking forward to our annual get-to-gether, especially so this year, because it is the Seventieth Anniversary of our arrival in Hawkley on Friday the First of September in 1939. Of course not all of you were with us on that special day but you have become an important part of the gathering over the past twelve years. That day was a momentous occasion both for the Villagers and the School pupils alike. Much has already been written on that matter so what about our commemoration?
Hopefully we will have a bumper turn-out, although my usual medium for advertising our Reunion has stopped announcing such events. Perhaps the Hawkley Website may trawl in a few hitherto non-attenders.
As this year is a special landmark, some of you have wondered if the occasion should be recorded in some way. One idea suggested was to have an organised sit-down meal but our informal procedure which was adopted at the beginning, seems to suit us all. We arrive at our own pace and mingle with impunity, eat as we wish (and some drink!), we are provided with an enjoyable tea, and then depart in our own time. I have difficulty in thinking of a better alternative to our day. So let us all have our usual good time mixing with those we have come to appreciate and whose company could not be bettered!
The Hawkley Inn, I was reliably informed has a new Landlord, he has been warned of our pending invasion, he asked in return if there was anything he could do for us, shall I suggest a "happy hour!?" Photographers should be in attendance as normal.
The Ladies will serve tea in the Village Hall from about 3pm. It would be particularly nice if you could all arrange to gather in the Village Hall on this occasion at tea-time before departing.
Finally, I repeat my annual plea for you to let me know whether or not you hope to attend, how many you will be, and the names of your guests.
Fill-in the details below and post it to me please, or telephone and leave a message on (01754) 874 876
e-mail is still beyond me!!
Bill take note, I do not answer calls between midnight and 6am!
The total number of potential attendees helps our Ladies with their catering arrangements.
Yours as ever Harry Withers
National Memorial to the Evacuation of Children in Britain During WWII
Maurice Blik is commissioned by the Evacuees Reunion Association to create a national memorial to commemorate the evacuation of 3.5 million children in Britain during WWII. Work on the memorial is due to start in 2008. The finished work is expected to be installed in the vicinity of St. Paul's Cathedral, London.
The memorial symbolizes the bewilderment and anxiety felt by children who were sent off to unknown and often unwelcoming destinations. Initially appearing as an innocent row of children, a closer inspection reveals unexpected details. In some cases torsos are turned through 180 degrees, clothing is worn back to front, luggage is split open and shoes are on the wrong feet, giving a sense of the dislocation, alienation and disruption to children's lives throughout the duration of the War. The memorial will preserve for all time the history of that generation.
Above with thanks please visit Maurice Blik's site......here
An invitation to a Commemorative Service to be held at ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL, LONDON to mark the 70th ANNIVERSARY of the start of the GREAT EVACUATION in 1939
On Tuesday, 1st September, 2009
Exactly 70 YEARS since the GREAT EVACUATION officially BEGAN
ADMISSION WILL BE BY TICKET ONLY
There is a limit of 2000 tickets and they can only be obtained from the EVACUEES REUNION ASSOCIATION, using this application form. The tickets will be issued on a ‘first come, first served’ system. To meet the high costs incurred for such a major event the ERA has no alternative but to require a minimum donation of £20 per ticket, of which £5 per ticket ( non returnable) is payable with each application and the balance of £15 per ticket is payable no later than31st March 2009.
If after the payment of all costs to St. Paul’s Cathedral and those incurred by the ERA a surplus of funds has arisen they will be transferred to the National Memorial to the Evacuation Fund.
Based upon the Westminster Abbey event we held in 1999 we feel sure that the demand for tickets will greatly exceed the number available, therefore immediate application is advised to avoid disappointment.
more here http://www.evacuees.org.uk/stPauls.asp
Below Hawkley from the Air
Parsons Piece billet of the Raine family.
If you have old photos please bring, also if you have not produced your memories for this site, please bring either on a disk or typed copy.
ALL are welcome who have any interest in Battersea Central School located in Hawkley during the evacuation period of the second world war.
If you are not sure of the location of the Hawkley Inn ...........CLICK here
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