Phyllis Matthews nee Janes

Report by Joan West of conversations with Phyllis. Also see 1944 Evacuees by Phyllis Janes

Phyllis Lilian Janes was the daughter of Harold Janes and Clara, nee Williams. see Harold & Clara Janes.

Harold and Clara lived at 'Homefield', The Bitfield, (later renamed Westlands Road), Lacey Green. The house was built about 1932.

Phyllis spoke warmly of her parents and grandparents.

Her father Harold was the son of Leonard & Annie Janes. See Leonard & Annie Janes

Her Mother Clara was the daughter of Ebenezer & Rachel Williams of Owlswick.

Amelia 'Pop' and Harry Parslow married in 1937 and then lived in one of the three cottages called 'The Bunch'. These were on the bank opposite Loosley House. They were pulled down when the narrow road was improved. They belonged to Mr. Hickman. the builder.

Ron Janes, Phyllis's older brother, married Ann Goodchild from Ilmer and moved to Princes Risborough.

Keith Janes, Phyllis's younger brother married Veronica Beecham from Bushey. He worked at Promised Land Farm

Phyllis Janes born in 1944, stayed in Homefield, the family home. She went to Lacey Green School. Mrs Guerney was the headmistress and Phyllis was happy there.

Phyllis married Colin Radley In 1962. They had three daughters.

In the night the police came to her door to say Colin had been killed in an accident in his lorry. It was July 1972. It was a most terrible shock.

Phyllis remarried in October 1973 to Martin G Matthews, born in North Yorkshire.

Comment.

Phyllis is a pleasure to listen to. She seems to have had the ability to make the best of wherever life took her.

For 13 years she was the caretaker of Lacey Green School.

She enjoyed working with the horses at the Home of Rest for Horses, only leaving when she felt she was needed more at home.

She then became 'Mum' to the firemen in Aylesbury Fire Station, where the men were often to be found in the kitchen with Phyllis rather than in their own sitting room. She was very happy there - just her usual self !