Residents Recollections – Wartime - Revision history

Bev: /* Recollections of Sprowston Hall during World War Two */

2017-04-13T18:19:45Z

Recollections of Sprowston Hall during World War Two

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:19, 13 April 2017
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	Troops from many nations were stationed there on a short term basis, although at one time a unit from Newfoundland were in there for a year slightly offended if called Canadians.		Troops from many nations were stationed there on a short term basis, although at one time a unit from Newfoundland were in there for a year slightly offended if called Canadians.
	One odd event that I witnessed with my father, was a German bomber flying unopposed in reasonable weather from the Thorpe direction, towards Sprowston hall almost parallel with blue boar lane, dropping about eight bombs and remarkable that it		One odd event that I witnessed with my father, was a German bomber flying unopposed in reasonable weather from the Thorpe direction, towards Sprowston hall almost parallel with blue boar lane, dropping about eight bombs and remarkable that it
	~~Failed~~ to hit anything. It turned east and sped off. The bombs exploded in blue boar woods and the last two in the present day Tesco supermarket car-park.		failed to hit anything. It turned east and sped off. The bombs exploded in blue boar woods and the last two in the present day Tesco supermarket car-park.
	Having seen a German bomber target map for that area recently, I am convinced the real target was Barnards, but having made a mess of the approach, had no option but unload and head home. At the end of the war and for some time afterwards the ministry of food had an office there. This may have been due to Norwich office suffering severe bomb damage. I remember that a special eastern counties bus was laid on for the staff only. This rankled with the Sprowston bus regulars, but obviously. A good reason for this special service.		Having seen a German bomber target map for that area recently, I am convinced the real target was Barnards, but having made a mess of the approach, had no option but unload and head home. At the end of the war and for some time afterwards the ministry of food had an office there. This may have been due to Norwich office suffering severe bomb damage. I remember that a special eastern counties bus was laid on for the staff only. This rankled with the Sprowston bus regulars, but obviously. A good reason for this special service.

Bev at 21:20, 14 April 2016

2016-04-14T21:20:36Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:20, 14 April 2016
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	~~==Residents Recollections – Wartime==~~

	==As we remembered the war==		==As we remembered the war==

Bev: /* Memories from Vivean Leigh */

2016-04-14T18:42:31Z

Memories from Vivean Leigh

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:42, 14 April 2016
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	===Memories from Vivean Leigh===		===Memories from Vivean Leigh===
	On 13th August 1942 she was coming up the road at the end of ~~Blayford~~ Road and Mousehold Lane when a plane came up from the city. All houses in Mousehold Lane caught the blast.		On 13th August 1942 she was coming up the road at the end of Plaford Road and Mousehold Lane when a plane came up from the city. All houses in Mousehold Lane caught the blast.
	Baedeker raids were immense in 1940/41 — they bombed every night in Sprowston. Barnards was bombed very badly one lunch-time.		Baedeker raids were immense in 1940/41 — they bombed every night in Sprowston. Barnards was bombed very badly one lunch-time.
	One day she hid under the stairs at her house on Mousehold Lane, and a bomb from Salhouse Road broke the front door.		One day she hid under the stairs at her house on Mousehold Lane, and a bomb from Salhouse Road broke the front door.
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	She would sleep in the air raid shelter at the top of the garden, down 6 steps, bunk-beds, sugar, tea, night-lights. It was very boring.		She would sleep in the air raid shelter at the top of the garden, down 6 steps, bunk-beds, sugar, tea, night-lights. It was very boring.
	13th August — mother giving birth to brother at 8pm in the shelter. Bomb whistling. She said "He's just come into this world, and now he's going to go out".		13th August — mother giving birth to brother at 8pm in the shelter. Bomb whistling. She said "He's just come into this world, and now he's going to go out".

	===Memories from Murial Yarnall===		===Memories from Murial Yarnall===
	She was on Fire watch at Blyth for Dad's Army. 2 girls and mistress on nights. Sept 3rd 1939, "We are at War.." on radio. Everyone came outside into the street. They often spent all day in the shelters at school from 1940-41 when it was at it's worst. After Battle of Britain they felt they had gained the upperhand.		She was on Fire watch at Blyth for Dad's Army. 2 girls and mistress on nights. Sept 3rd 1939, "We are at War.." on radio. Everyone came outside into the street. They often spent all day in the shelters at school from 1940-41 when it was at it's worst. After Battle of Britain they felt they had gained the upperhand.

Bev: /* Recollections of Sprowston Hall during World War Two */

2016-04-14T18:40:10Z

Recollections of Sprowston Hall during World War Two

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:40, 14 April 2016
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	The two main stars were a Griffiths Jones, a dramatic actor, enjoyed one-man set pieces. Starred in many films, one being "Wicked Lady" filmed at Blickling Hall. The other, John McHugh,		The two main stars were a Griffiths Jones, a dramatic actor, enjoyed one-man set pieces. Starred in many films, one being "Wicked Lady" filmed at Blickling Hall. The other, John McHugh,
	Irish tenor. Singing the full range, opera to popular songs of the day. He mainly appeared on the London stage -and radio. The rest of the troupe were not of their status.		Irish tenor. Singing the full range, opera to popular songs of the day. He mainly appeared on the London stage -and radio. The rest of the troupe were not of their status.
	I wonder if anybody can remember the 'Turkeys’ performing on three occasions at ~~the~~ Sprowston, the then central school.1940.		I wonder if anybody can remember the 'Turkeys’ performing on three occasions at Sprowston at the then central school.1940.
	Troops from many nations were stationed there on a short term basis, although at one time a unit from Newfoundland were in there for a year slightly offended if called Canadians.		Troops from many nations were stationed there on a short term basis, although at one time a unit from Newfoundland were in there for a year slightly offended if called Canadians.
	One odd event that I witnessed with my father, was a German bomber flying unopposed in reasonable weather from the Thorpe direction, towards Sprowston hall almost parallel with blue boar lane, dropping about eight bombs and remarkable that it		One odd event that I witnessed with my father, was a German bomber flying unopposed in reasonable weather from the Thorpe direction, towards Sprowston hall almost parallel with blue boar lane, dropping about eight bombs and remarkable that it
	Failed to hit anything. It turned east and sped off. The bombs exploded in blue boar woods and the last two in the present day Tesco supermarket car-park.		Failed to hit anything. It turned east and sped off. The bombs exploded in blue boar woods and the last two in the present day Tesco supermarket car-park.
	Having seen a German bomber target map for that area recently, i am convinced the real target was Barnards, but having made a mess of the approach, had no option but unload and head home. At the end of the war and for some time afterwards the ministry of food had an office there. This may have been due to Norwich office suffering severe bomb damage. I remember that a special eastern counties bus was laid on for the staff only. This rankled with the Sprowston bus regulars, but obviously. A good reason for this special service.		Having seen a German bomber target map for that area recently, I am convinced the real target was Barnards, but having made a mess of the approach, had no option but unload and head home. At the end of the war and for some time afterwards the ministry of food had an office there. This may have been due to Norwich office suffering severe bomb damage. I remember that a special eastern counties bus was laid on for the staff only. This rankled with the Sprowston bus regulars, but obviously. A good reason for this special service.

	V.R.BENNETT 2002.		V.R.BENNETT 2002.

Bev: /* Recollections of Sprowston Hall during World War Two */

2016-04-14T18:32:08Z

Recollections of Sprowston Hall during World War Two

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:32, 14 April 2016
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	1939. and to my recollection the first to arrive was an anti¬aircraft and searchlight battery. One of the first duties of the newly formed 'Local Defence Volunteers' (later the Home Guard) to assist in guarding the site, top end of Blue Boar Lane.		1939. and to my recollection the first to arrive was an anti¬aircraft and searchlight battery. One of the first duties of the newly formed 'Local Defence Volunteers' (later the Home Guard) to assist in guarding the site, top end of Blue Boar Lane.
	The Royal Norfolks began to take over using it as a holding base with many types of vehicles and stores. Also motor cycles complete with training of dispatch riders.		The Royal Norfolks began to take over using it as a holding base with many types of vehicles and stores. Also motor cycles complete with training of dispatch riders.
	The Norfolks had some talented entertainers based there and		The Norfolks had some talented entertainers based there and the troupe, all in the army, did a round of tours throughout the county, calling themselves the 'Norfolk Turkeys.'
	~~The~~ troupe, all in the army, did a round of tours throughout the county, calling themselves the 'Norfolk Turkeys.'
	The two main stars were a Griffiths Jones, a dramatic actor, enjoyed one-man set pieces. Starred in many films, one being "Wicked Lady" filmed at Blickling Hall. The other, John McHugh,		The two main stars were a Griffiths Jones, a dramatic actor, enjoyed one-man set pieces. Starred in many films, one being "Wicked Lady" filmed at Blickling Hall. The other, John McHugh,
	Irish tenor. Singing the full range, opera to popular songs of the day. He mainly appeared on the London stage -and radio. The rest of the troupe were not of their status.		Irish tenor. Singing the full range, opera to popular songs of the day. He mainly appeared on the London stage -and radio. The rest of the troupe were not of their status.

Bev: /* As we remembered the war */

2016-04-14T18:28:12Z

As we remembered the war

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:28, 14 April 2016
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	==As we remembered the war==		==As we remembered the war==

	A fascinating collection of memories provided by the people of Sprowston. One must remember that for most when they experienced war were only children who often saw the events through children's eyes. Alas many of the contributors are no longer with us so ~~any and~~ any anomalies in their individual memories can now longer be verified so the statement of many times and locations of events may not be entirely correct. This said it gives a telling insight into what life was like.		A fascinating collection of memories provided by the people of Sprowston. One must remember that for most when they experienced war were only children who often saw the events through children's eyes. Alas many of the contributors are no longer with us so any anomalies in their individual memories can now longer be verified so the statement of many times and locations of events may not be entirely correct. This said it gives a telling insight into what life was like.

	===Recollections of Sprowston Hall during World War Two===		===Recollections of Sprowston Hall during World War Two===

Bev: Adding wartime mems

2016-04-14T18:25:06Z

Adding wartime mems

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:25, 14 April 2016
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	V.R.BENNETT 2002.		V.R.BENNETT 2002.

			===Memories from Vivean Leigh===
			On 13th August 1942 she was coming up the road at the end of Blayford Road and Mousehold Lane when a plane came up from the city. All houses in Mousehold Lane caught the blast.
			Baedeker raids were immense in 1940/41 — they bombed every night in Sprowston. Barnards was bombed very badly one lunch-time.
			One day she hid under the stairs at her house on Mousehold Lane, and a bomb from Salhouse Road broke the front door.
			She was 11 when the war finished.
			From school they would hide in the shelter on Gertrude Road.
			There was machine-gunning one day as she was walking down Mousehold Lane — all the way down the lane, and her father threw her over the hedge.
			There were several plane crashes on Mousehold — GB and German.
			They would count the planes going out, and watch the gaps coming back.
			She would sleep in the air raid shelter at the top of the garden, down 6 steps, bunk-beds, sugar, tea, night-lights. It was very boring.
			13th August — mother giving birth to brother at 8pm in the shelter. Bomb whistling. She said "He's just come into this world, and now he's going to go out".
			===Memories from Murial Yarnall===
			She was on Fire watch at Blyth for Dad's Army. 2 girls and mistress on nights. Sept 3rd 1939, "We are at War.." on radio. Everyone came outside into the street. They often spent all day in the shelters at school from 1940-41 when it was at it's worst. After Battle of Britain they felt they had gained the upperhand.
			Women 18+ would either go into the forces, munitions factory or war-work (man's work). There was a feeling of liberation for the women... They felt independent, and didn't want to give up the work: lots of marriage break-ups occurred at the end of the war. Due to separation of war — the distance it put between couples.
			A nurse friend went into Belsen. Said only "you don't want to hear about it", and has never spoken of her experiences.
			The Norfolk Regiment was in the front line on D day. There were heavy losses. They had been in Burma and Singapore and regrouped for D-day.

			===Memories from Diana Harrold===
			Near the Dungers house on Cozens Hardy Rd there was a pond. A bomb fell in and coated all the walls in mud.
			In Edwards Road there was a direct hit on the shop.
			All sheets/ clothes/ furniture had a label called "utility". There were still coupons in 1955.
			1953 £2.50 housekeeping.
			You couldn't get bananas. David's brother took fruit from Africa and brought some bananas to a sick girl in Allen's Avenue in response to a national request (they were thought to be good for jaundice).
			The worst casualties occurred when there was a bomb on Mousehold Lane which came after no siren. Lot's of children ended up staying in the rest centre (the school hall on Recreation Ground Road), which was for people who'd been bombed out. Kitchen attached with tea and coffee and blankets — you slept there if you didn't have a home.

Bev at 18:17, 14 April 2016

2016-04-14T18:17:30Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:17, 14 April 2016
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			==Residents Recollections – Wartime==

	==As we remembered the war==		==As we remembered the war==

Bev: Recollections of Sprowston Hall during World War

2016-04-14T18:16:04Z

Recollections of Sprowston Hall during World War

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:16, 14 April 2016
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	A fascinating collection of memories provided by the people of Sprowston. One must remember that for most when they experienced war were only children who often saw the events through children's eyes. Alas many of the contributors are no longer with us so any and any anomalies in their individual memories can now longer be verified so the statement of many times and locations of events may not be entirely correct. This said it gives a telling insight into what life was like.		A fascinating collection of memories provided by the people of Sprowston. One must remember that for most when they experienced war were only children who often saw the events through children's eyes. Alas many of the contributors are no longer with us so any and any anomalies in their individual memories can now longer be verified so the statement of many times and locations of events may not be entirely correct. This said it gives a telling insight into what life was like.

			===Recollections of Sprowston Hall during World War Two===
			The military began to take over the hall and grounds in
			1939. and to my recollection the first to arrive was an anti¬aircraft and searchlight battery. One of the first duties of the newly formed 'Local Defence Volunteers' (later the Home Guard) to assist in guarding the site, top end of Blue Boar Lane.
			The Royal Norfolks began to take over using it as a holding base with many types of vehicles and stores. Also motor cycles complete with training of dispatch riders.
			The Norfolks had some talented entertainers based there and
			The troupe, all in the army, did a round of tours throughout the county, calling themselves the 'Norfolk Turkeys.'
			The two main stars were a Griffiths Jones, a dramatic actor, enjoyed one-man set pieces. Starred in many films, one being "Wicked Lady" filmed at Blickling Hall. The other, John McHugh,
			Irish tenor. Singing the full range, opera to popular songs of the day. He mainly appeared on the London stage -and radio. The rest of the troupe were not of their status.
			I wonder if anybody can remember the 'Turkeys’ performing on three occasions at the Sprowston, the then central school.1940.
			Troops from many nations were stationed there on a short term basis, although at one time a unit from Newfoundland were in there for a year slightly offended if called Canadians.
			One odd event that I witnessed with my father, was a German bomber flying unopposed in reasonable weather from the Thorpe direction, towards Sprowston hall almost parallel with blue boar lane, dropping about eight bombs and remarkable that it
			Failed to hit anything. It turned east and sped off. The bombs exploded in blue boar woods and the last two in the present day Tesco supermarket car-park.
			Having seen a German bomber target map for that area recently, i am convinced the real target was Barnards, but having made a mess of the approach, had no option but unload and head home. At the end of the war and for some time afterwards the ministry of food had an office there. This may have been due to Norwich office suffering severe bomb damage. I remember that a special eastern counties bus was laid on for the staff only. This rankled with the Sprowston bus regulars, but obviously. A good reason for this special service.

			V.R.BENNETT 2002.




	[[Category:Sprowston at War]]		[[Category:Sprowston at War]]

Bev: New page Residents Recollections – Wartime

2016-04-14T14:51:27Z

New page Residents Recollections – Wartime

New page

==As we remembered the war==

A fascinating collection of memories provided by the people of Sprowston. One must remember that for most when they experienced war were only children who often saw the events through children's eyes. Alas many of the contributors are no longer with us so any and any anomalies in their individual memories can now longer be verified so the statement of many times and locations of events may not be entirely correct. This said it gives a telling insight into what life was like.

[[Category:Sprowston at War]]