Lived Worked And Played Here

A Memory of Battle.

My mother was born in keepers cottage in Battle Wood, who grew up and later got married in Battle church. My grandfather, Leonard Glyde was a fireman during the second world war stationed at Battle fire station. I was born in London but spent all my holidays with my grandparents who lived in a tied cottage at Netherfield Place - my grandmother worked for Sir John and Lady Royden. It was a real privilege for me, living on a massive private estate, a big change from playing on the bomb sites in London.
At 14 my parents divorced, so I went to live with my grandparents. I attended Claverham School and worked for Eldridges paper shop opposite the Abbey, delivering newspapers between the town and Netherfield Church for 10/6d a week. l also worked for Lady Royden cleaning windows 2/6d, an hour not forgetting the garden work I did on Saturdays in Mount street.
It was truly a wonderfull life living in the country.
I have many ancestors buried in the cemetery at battle church dating back to 1800's. I always remember marble day, played outside the abbey. Then there was bonfire night, an amazing time with a torch procession through the town, down to a tower of a bonfire.
It's also when I came really close to her majesty Queen Elizabeth visiting battle in 1966. She walked along the road opposite the church and my flag accidentally touched her hat as she passed underneath.
My mother, of course, could write a book - we still talk about Battle. She of course has so many memories a place very dear to us both.

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