WW2
From Lacey Green History
click Wars for local details of the Boer War, WW1, WW2, & The Cold War
WW2 started 1st September 1939 it ended 2nd July 1945 in Europe and ended May 8th 1945 in Japan
1941 to 1945 during WW2, British Double Summer Time was introduced as an energy saving device effectively putting the UK on the same footing as mainland Europe. This made Britain GMT +1 in winter and GMT + 2 in summer. This effectively gave more light hours in the day and evening, when work could be done. Things reverted to normal by 1947.
Reported by Gordon May. We were allowed 20 half days off school per year during the war. We had a permit from the school for this.
One job that some of us boys had was to go potato picking. The only farmer brave enough to employ us was Mr Reg Tilbury (click Reg & Lucy Tilbury for more about Reg) who lived at Parslows Hillock (down the lane from The Pink and Lily). We boys would cycle to the farm, and had a very enjoyable afternoon away from school. Another job, which I was landed with during school holidays in wartime, was in Hampden Woods, helping the chair bodgers. My oldest brother and I would have to work one end of a cross cut saw, while a man was at the other end. This was hard work, which I did not enjoy very much. My brother, being older and stronger than me, was allowed to hold the handle of the saw, while I was a yard away, pulling on the end of a rope.
Reported by Dudley Stevens at the School Reunion in 2000 "An air-raid shelter was positioned on the school playground and I well remember when the sirens sounded our going into the shelter and putting on gas masks.
Reported by Doug Tilbury. This snapshot is of how Lacey Green Church coped in 1944 in WW2
At this time Harold Williams, who played the organ, was a Navigator in the Royal Air Force flying Mosquitoes. In the winter, evensong was held at 3.00 p.m. due to the “blackout”, which was strictly enforced here, as Bomber Command was only a mile away.
The choir vestry consisted of a heavy curtain, partitioning off an area, where the curtain was later replaced with wood. Boisterous boys were frequently hushed by the vicar, Reverend Steward, prior to services. Choir pay was sixpence and a bag of sour apples from the vicarage garden at Harvest time.
Lacey Green School had services in the church on Saints Days. Ash Wednesday and Ascension were always popular as the school had the rest of the day off
The vicar frequently rode his bicycle and later his Corgi Scooter around the parish of Lacey Green, Loosley Row and Speen. The Corgi was not very powerful, and had to have “foot power” assistance around “Devil’s Elbow”, when he went to Speen School to take the Communion Service at 8.45 a.m. on the first Sunday of the month.
He was unmarried and had a house keeper “Miss Varney”. Earlier in his career he had been a missionary in Africa. The piano which he donated to the church, (and is still in use) was built to withstand the African climate.
A party for choirboys was held on the Vicarage lawn during the summer. If you were lucky the vicar would allow you to push his new Motor-sythe lawn mower across the lawn! The senior choir party was in the vicarage during the winter months. As it was wartime refreshments tended to be bread and jam and a cup of tea. During the morning services, aircraft could be heard taking off from The airfield behind Lacey Green school, as the prevailing wind normally blew from over the church. There were very high conifers around the vicarage, and it was a steep climb to get over them even though the tops had been taken off.
At the age of fourteen, after their voices had broken, most boys left the choir for various reasons. Those that stayed within the church became servers or acolytes, until they had to start National Service at the age of 18. Fred Harbour joining the army, joining the Coldstream Guards. I joined the Royal Air Force and became an aircraft mechanic, serving the 56th squadron. On demob many returning young men were asked to serve on the PCC (Parochial Church Council).
Feb 1940. researched by Rita Probert. On Monday evening Mr Day of Saunderton gave the second of his series on air raid precautions, at the Lacey Green Village Hall. About a dozen enthusiasts were present and were well rewarded for their trouble. Mr Day explained how the appearance of gas bombs can be recognised by the ear, the eye and the nose and by special mechanical means, such as chemically prepared boards. He also, with the greatest precautions, allowed those present to small samples of the various gases like to be used! Next week at the village hall, the third lecture will be delivered upon the use and care of gas respirators. All those attending are requested to bring their respirators with them. Note added by Joan West. "Mr Day was the Station Master at Saunderton Station".
Feb 1940. Researched by Rita Probert. A successful dance was organised recently by Mrs Dell and Mrs Hickman to raise funds for the Red Cross Working Party at Lacey Green & Loosley Row. After all expenses had been paid, £2-16s (£2.80p) was handed to the treasurer of the fund and was gratefully received.
click Charity Events for other fund raising for charity
September 1940 Researched by Rita Probert. Lacey Green may well be congratulated upon the excellent support which the inhabitants of the village gave on Saturday to a fete in aid of a Spitfire Fund, the excellent sum of £40 being raised. This has been added as a contribution to the Princes Risborough Spitfire Fund
Mrs Austin organised the fete in the grounds of her residence, Wimble End, Church Lane, and received considerable help from her husband, Mr A. St.J. Austin, Mrs Mason, Mrs Agar, Miss Clements (who acted as stall-holders), Doctor Dudley Cooper, Mr F Bennett and Miss V Bennett, who assisted with numerous side shows. The Reverend J Steward declared the fete open. Lacey Green set an example for enthusiastic support of the Spitfire Fund effort in villages.(click 'Charity Events for other similar events)
1940 Report by Joan Cooke. The Land Army was formed for WW1. It was revived in June 1939, first for volunteers, but by 1941 could be by conscription. ‘Mucking in’, the land army had at first a rather soft, ‘girl’s school’ reputation, but it soon turned out to be one of the hardest jobs open to women. The working week was 50 hours - and much more at harvest time.
I was one of 24 Land Girls who were billeted at Wardrobes. The owners were not there, but we had a Warden to look after us. She was strict and gentlemen callers were not allowed in the house. We had reasonable food, but only the amounts allowed by rationing. There were two uniforms, one for work, with no tie. The other was just for best, and that was worn for dances in the Village Hall. One of the bands was run by Jack Parnell, son of the famous Val Parnell. Jack lived in Walters Ash.
We were sent out in groups of six by lorry to nearby farms. I well remember working a threshing machine. When we wanted a rest, we used to detach the belt, and it would take a few minutes to get it put back on again. It was hard work and eventually I injured myself and got sent home. I was then sent to work on Lancaster Bombers.
This snapshot of how Lacey Green Church was coping in 1944, written by Doug Tilbury.
AWAY IN RAF
At this time Harold Williams, who played the organ, was a Navigator in the Royal Air Force flying Mosquitoes. In the winter evensong was held at 3.00 p.m. due to the “blackout”, which was strictly enforced here, as Bomber Command was only a mile away.
THE CHOIR
The choir vestry consisted of a heavy curtain, partitioning off an area, where the curtain was later replaced with wood. Boisterous boys were frequently hushed by the vicar, Reverend Steward, prior to services. Choir pay was sixpence and a bag of sour apples from the vicarage garden at Harvest time.
SCHOOL SERVICES
The church school had services in the church on Saints Days. Ash Wednesday and Ascension were always popular as the school had the rest of the day off
BY BIKE & CORI SCOOTER The vicar frequently rode his bicycle and later his Corgi Scooter around the parish of Lacey Green, Loosley Row and Speen. The Corgi was not very powerful, and had to have “foot power” assistance around “Devil’s Elbow”, when he went to Speen School to take the Communion Service at 8.45 a.m. on the first Sunday of the month.
MISSIONARY'S PIANO
He was unmarried and had a house keeper “Miss Varney”. Earlier in his career he had been a missionary in Africa. The piano which he donated to the church, (and is still in use) was built to withstand the African climate.
CHOIRBOYS PARTY
A party for choirboys was held on the Vicarage lawn during the summer. If you were lucky the vicar would allow you to push his new Motor-sythe lawn mower across the lawn! The senior choir party was in the vicarage during the winter months. As it was wartime refreshments tended to be bread and jam and a cup of tea.
AIRCRAFT NOISE. During the morning services, aircraft could be heard taking off from the airfield behind Lacey Green school, as the prevailing wind normally blew from over the church. There were very high conifers around the vicarage, and it was a steep climb to get over them.
CHOIRBOYS LEAVE
At the age of fourteen, after their voices had broken, most boys left the choir for various reasons. Those that stayed within the church became servers or acolytes, until they had to start National Service at the age of 18. Fred Harbour joining the army, joining the Coldstream Guards. I joined the Royal Air Force and became an aircraft mechanic, serving the 56th squadron. On demob many returning young men were asked to serve on the PCC (Parochial Church Council).
1944. Research by Rita Probert. Comedian, singer, actor and monologist was famous by the 1940’s for his comic and character roles on stage & screen. His monologues included ‘Albert & The Lion’ – Albert Ramsbottom ‘ and his stick with the ‘orses ‘ead ‘andle.
In May 1944, during week long events at Lacey Green Village Hall in aid of the ‘Soldier’ week and savings war effort, Stanley Holloway gave a performance, which included the monologue, ‘Sam, pick oop tha’ musket’ – about the evening before The Battle of Waterloo. click Charity Events for other charity events
click Families with Fallen WW2 for these.
Click Bomber Command for Bomber Command Headquarters and RAF officers houses were built in the woods at the far south of Lacey Green.
Click Air Chief Marshall Arthur Harris, Bomber Command for his life story
Extract from Andrew & Doris Oliver "Appointed by Air Chief Marshall Arthur Harris, 'Bomber Harris', Commander-in -Chief, Bomber Command, Walters Ash, Andrew flew to inspect every wooden aircraft that had crashed in Britain, to check if the timber or glues were at fault. He flew from the grass runway on Stocken Farm, Lacey Green". Click Lacey Green Airfield for details.Also Click 1944 Stocken Farm Airfield for more details and photos.
Click the New Road for details
Click 1945 Standard rationing WW2 for details
Click The Home Guard for details.
Click The Windmill for details of Home Guard lookout duties there
Click Carters Merchants Ltd. for details of the business brought to Church Lane in WW2
Extract from Loosley House " In 1939 to 1945, North Kensington Nursery School was evacuated to Loosley House, home of Arthur & Joyce Waite.
Click Princes Risborough Auxillary Fire Service for local men who fought the 'blitz'
Extract from research by Doug Tilbury on Lacey Green School. "Some 30 children were evacuated to Lacey Green and Loosley Row who attended Lacey Green school. An extra teacher from London, Miss French, came to assist the teachers".
Click Evacuees regarding children sent here out of London. Also adults who stayed here, with reports from their hosts.
click 1945 V.E.Day. Local Legacies by Joan West
Extract from Harry Church -
In 1939 Harry joined the Air Ministry Staff at Walters Ash, in what was then Bomber Command. As a maintenance engineer he was on 24 hour call throughout most of the war years, and for his services received the B.E.M. (British Empire Medal).
Extract from Stocken Farm with landlord Ernest Smith and tenants Dick & Hilda West -
"Unfortunately, all their flat land was taken for an airfield at Stocken Farm, which was a severe blow. They had to rent land some distance away at Notley Abbey.
Extract from 1944 Stocken Farm Airfield -
"In 1945 a further 21acres was taken from Stocken Farm for the airfield. This time, it included the Sports field, which was being leased from Dick West by the sports Club. The farm had to reduce their breeding ewes and rent more land at Waldridge Farm".
Extract from Stocken Farm with landlord Ernest Smith and tenants Dick & Hilda West -
" RAF officers from Bomber Command and their families were billeted in the house and lasting friendships were formed".
Extract from Jack & Marion Dell -
Jack was called up and spent six years in the army, being trained initially as a muleteer for service in Norway, but the fall of Norway to the Germans ended this phase. He then trained as an artillery spotter, his service including the liberation of Buchenwald concentration camp, his unit withdrawn however following a typhus outbreak, after which he was posted to India, where his distinguished army career ended.
Extract from Bill & Phyllis Dell -
"During WW2, Phyllis, still Phyllis Adams and single, worked at Bomber Command, making maps on thin cotton fabric. Later her mother used this to make the hankies for her lace edgings, once the map pattern had been washed off."
Extract from Emily & Arthur Harvey of Harvey's Stores, Loosley Row -
"During WW2 Emily and her mother Annie still ran the shop. Arthur had to work in an aircraft factory in Princes Risborough. He still delivered the groceries after factory hours but the carrier business had to go. After the war he worked at Bomber Command until he retired in 1973.
Extract from 2000 Memories of Con Baker -
" During WW2 I used to have to help in the foundry blowing the bellows, melting brass, and I had to help carry the crucibles after casting with the iron".
Extract from Joan Biggs -
"During WW2 Joan worked for a company which was taken over to make aeroplane propellers. During the early part of the conflict, her evenings were spent with a friend looking out for enemy parachutes at Small Dean Lane.
Extract from the obituary of Brian Panter -
"He joined the Royal Navy at eighteen, and his wartime experiences stayed with him for life. Sailing on warships in convoy with merchant navy vessels, he was twice torpedoed and rescued from the sea. He was part of the D Day Landings in 1944 and he was moored off Arramanche, in a ship full of ammunition and explosives, and had it been hit, all the crew would have perished". (click Brian & Nell Panter for more about Brian)
War fund raising -
click 1944 Stanley Holloway Stars in Lacey Green Concert for details