Geoff Gomme

Research by Joan West

Geoffrey A Gomme born 16th February 1931 was the son of Albert George Gomme and Ethel A Hyatte. See Albert & Ethel Gomme

Geoff remained single. For many years he was a photographer for the Bucks Free Press. In his retirement he wrote reports for Hallmark on behalf of the Sports Club. He died in 2013 at Walters Ash

Geoff Gomme was mentioned by Pamela Armstrong in her report of Sid Janes of The Bakehouse. Where he was a delivery boy. See 1957 Sid's Bakehouse

In 2011 Geoff Gomme sent me a letter, in response to my request for his life at Court Cottage in Church Lane, Lacey Green. For his description of the house go to Court Cottage

The Gomme family moved into Court Cottage in 1938 or 1939.

In 1939 our first evacuee arrived.   He was a lovely little four year old, called John Schuter.   His father was in the forces and his mother worked in London and she wanted him out of the way of the bombing. (See Evacuees for other families with evacuees.)

Next we had two girls, Beryl and Stella Hunt.   That’s when I had to go and sleep at my grandmother’s – her two sons were in the army so she had room.   I quite enjoyed that, for Grandma always had tea brewing on top of the range.   It came out of the teapot almost like black treacle to which she would add two big spoons full of condensed milk.   Lovely!  She would sit puffing on her little clay pipe with a twinkle in her eye as I gulped it down gratefully.

Our final evacuees were the Wager family, mother and youngest son and sometimes the eldest son too.  They were actually related to us.  But, do you know, after they went back to London, when the bombing had eased, we never heard another word from them!

We got on well with all our evacuees.   The biggest problem was bath night.   If you can imagine drawing up bucket after bucket from the tank, heating it in the copper, carrying it through to the tin bath placed in front of the fire.   It was quite a chore.   Then a wooden clothes – horse would have to be erected with a sheet as a partition and all those not involved would have to retreat to the colder parts of the cottage.      But somehow we managed!

My father, Albert Gomme, who was a farm carter, and my mother Ethel, had rented their cottage until 1952.   Somehow they managed to raise five hundred pounds to buy it – paid in three instalments.   It must have taken some time for money wasn’t easy to come by in those days.

I’m not sure if it helped that during the war we took in evacuees.   I believe a small payment was paid to help with the cost.

My parents finally paid for the cottage on April 26^th 1952.    In the late 1950’s electricity and water was piped in.

P.S. I sold it in 1991 to move to a small flat in Naphill.

Addendum

The cottage was built on the edge of what I long suspected - and was confirmed for me by Dennis Claydon, our local historian, had been a village green. Years ago there were seven buildings built round the side opposite to the Main Road, none on the Main Road - from Court Cottage round to the Crown Public House - now long gone. They were all brick and flint built, except a bungalow owned by organist and piano teacher, Miss Nancy Hawes.

I should have mentioned that when we took in evacuees there were already four of us squeezed into the cottage. You can imagine what it was like with six of us all vying for space and the facilities - such as they were. What the evacuees circumstances were like where they came from I don't know but I don't recall any complaints.

That's all I can think of at the moment, Joan. Pic. enclosed of what the cottage may have looked like when we moved in.

Geoff Gomme's career was as a photographer for the Bucks Free Press.

He sent several articles to the village magazine "Hallmark". For these click the following; -

1950 'Darkie' The Steamroller Man. Geoff wrote about the work of roadman Frank Sladden

1950 The "Road Men" Geoff wrote about the men who maintained the road verges.

2002 Ted Biggs. Memories of Ted, on his death

Memories of Bill Attridge on his death

2003 Ciss Fletcher obituary